Job Discussion Forums

[lemak]

I'll likely stick around my current school for another semester/year, but every time I get near the end of my contract I always shoot out some resumes, respond to some ads to see what else is out there.

Inevitably I get hundreds of replies, most of which are shite, but it's annoying sifting through the thorns to get to that one rose, ya know?

So I end up looking for keywords that see the email get moved straight to the delete folder.

Personally any job that says "Kindergarten", "One day off a week", "+15 office hours", Less than 5,000rmb are all non-starters regardless of the other conditions.

I understand everyone has different priorities. For many a 5,500rmb salary is on par with beggar's pay, for others that tranquil, relaxed gig in scenic Yangshuo represents insanity inducing boredom in Bumpkinville. One man's split shift is another's much needed afternoon nap etc.

Just curious what are the keywords or crappy conditions that see job offers being deleted by you guys?

[lemak]

"Shared apartment" isn't going to happen either. Not on this planet.
I can't even spend more than 4 or 5 hours with my nearest and dearest friends whom I've known since I started walking without wanting to carve them up with one of those free knives from Auchan....let alone some unknown stinky, drunk hippy with dreadlocks from Saskatoon peeing all over the toilet seat, spending their days listening to f@cking Morrissey and ogling the elementary school students. Blergh.

"ASAP" tends to be a good warning sign also. Barring a few exceptions either they are too disorganized to hire someone within a reasonable time frame, or another teacher did a runner....both potential red flags, especially considering they'll likely want you to show up on an L visa.

[Ariadne]

Must live on the campus where my classes are held. No commuting.

No shared apartment.

No kids under university age.

Nothing really cold... I'm sure Harbin is beautiful but it's not for me.

No place where I'd be the only foreign teacher. I absolutely MUST be able to speak English with native speakers on a regular basis. I want to be able to talk fast, use slang/idioms, make plays on words and tell jokes... with folks who will understand.

No more than 16 hours of classes a week.. but that's a bit flexible.


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[Andrew Jordan]

The others mentioned here; shared apartment, kindergarten (although for a good offer I consider it with a promise I won't work kindy) pay under 7,000.

Also, more than 30 teaching hours a week, and a large city are non-starters for me.

There are many more issues I know I should consider more, but the perfect job is never to be found. The city size is the most important factor.

[it'snotmyfault]

Chinese co-worker, teaching assistant, I can imagine some of the sulky girls in my classes going on to do this kind of work and being real little *beeps*

Probation period, no thanks.

Salary quotes that say "up to xxxx"
Usually when you read all the details the actual salary will be dire.

Adverts that try to sell you on details such as "free lunch" that equates to about 4~5 rmb

Any advert with the word "China"

[Zhejiang_Man]

From an employment contract sent to me on Wednesday:-

Party A shall pay Party B�s salary regularly by the month. The payment shall begin from the day of Party B�s commencement of his/her work at the university till the expiration of the contract. The payday is the last day of each month. If the work to be done takes less than a month, the amount of Party B�s salary shall be fixed and calculated by the day. The daily pay shall be one thirtieth of the monthly salary, and the daily payment shall be based on the exact workday on the class syllabus.

I understand �The daily pay shall be one thirtieth of the monthly salary�. I don�t think it is fair given that there are 22 working days per month, but I do understand the formula. However, wtf does �and the daily payment shall be based on the exact workday on the class syllabus� mean?

And worse still:-

If Party B�s contract is valid for two semesters (one academic year), and he or she has fulfilled his/her work assigned for the first semester, Party B shall enjoy the university�s winter vacation with one-month pay, which shall go to Party B�s salary account in the month following the month when Party B�s contract expires.

The school has to be joking, right? February�s salary won�t be paid until one month after the teacher has left the school???????

[choudoufu]

air ticket, or airfare reimbursement. no thank you. i want a big round
number as an "international flight allowance" paid in a lump sum with
no receipts.

i want to see the words "after taxes" when the salary and benefits are
quoted.

[Denim-Maniac]

Things that I would be hard pushed to accept include the following:

1) Large class sizes. I'd find it hard to consider a job if it meant more than 15 students per class.

2) Being responsible for my own housing. That's a non-starter for me too. I don't want the hassle, the responsibility or the need to find a deposit. Employer housing only please.

3) Working evenings and weekends. I think I'd accept office hours, working 9-5 would be fine if it included office hours and being on-site even when not teaching. But I'm not willing to give up evenings and weekends.

4) Any kind of commute. I like to be able to walk to work, and the journey should be less than 10 minutes.

5) Any place that has pollution issues. I've read lots of posts where people have discussed health issues that have arisen since working in XXX place. Most of this things are temporary of course but Im not prepared to work somewhere that will give me a cough that lasts for 6 months and brings up odd coloured phlegm.

6) Cities are probably going to be a no-no for me too. Any place where people queue to get on buses isnt a place I want to be. Any place where people need to get taxis isnt where I want to be either.

7) Teaching kids or teenagers. Some may like it, but it's not for me.

Non-Chinese speaking places. I feel like Ive invested so much time learning Chinese, Im very reluctant to consider teaching in another country. I'd hate to start learning Korean (or insert language here) from scratch for example.

9) Social scene is a big issue for me. I recently looked at a job and it had some appeal, but I was told that its almost impossible to meet anyone outside of the school. I had a job like this before and it meant that for friendships and dates you had to look at other teachers / teenage students / pink houses. None of them held much appeal to me in the past, I wouldnt want to be in the same situation again.

10) Cold northern places. I know the heating indoors makes a difference, but I just dont fancy any place that might have snow.

11) Contracts with no flexibility over duration. I find it hard to commit to full one-year contracts. Id say straight away I wouldnt accept any job that offered 12 months ... Im prepared to do 8 or 9 months, but not any longer than that.

12) Any senior or managerial position. I dont want the stress or responsibility thanks.

Of course my situation might change, and then my needs and requirements might also change. I am picky about my work because I can afford to be. I dont need the money and I dont have a wife or partner to support or answer to. I can be selfish about my job choice in a way that may not be possible for everyone.

[johntpartee]

[Non Sequitur]

'Come on a tourist visa and convert later' is a no no for me.
(Good thread OP).

[rioux]

Six day work weeks.
Split shifts (the extreme kind).
Split 2 days off.

[ecubyrd]

Unless things drastically change at my current position, I don't think I'll be looking for anything else while in China. I count my lucky stars daily.

Most of my non-starters if I was looking have already been mentioned, but at this point of my life $$ is king. No jobs for less than say 12,000 with additional housing allowance or provided housing.

[MisterButtkins]

More than 20 hours a week.

Less than 2 months of vacation a year.

Working with kids.

City with lots of smog.

City with too many expats.

Less than 5k/month.

Lots of other minor details.

[Denim-Maniac]

[milkweedma]

Beyond starting and if I had of known, I would not have accepted the contract. What became evident after starting was:

No hot water in my apartment. (Once a week if lucky).

No water at all, shutoff any time any day without warning.

Electricity blackouts any day any time without warning.

Cafetaria food that causes food poisoning.

Having to take a shower in a public bathhouse to stay clean.

CCTV 9 was not accessible.

Loud, blaring speakers every morning at 7am. (Drove me to anger).