Job Discussion Forums

Johnmc · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 24

Hi from Newbie,
I have been emailing/ negotiating with a Government Uni a few weeks now. After much discussion over a copy of the contract (Titled- THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN EXPERT AFFAIRS), they seem very keen for me to work there, as am I to work for them. I�ve agreed, via email, to minor changes to the original contract sent (I have not signed anything yet). They now have all my relevant paperwork (passport photos, r�sum�, references etc). They emailed me back that they are putting the paperwork thru for Z visa etc
Now they say that we will sign the contract when I arrive at the University in September. Shocked

Does this sound right to you? Is there a school AND government contract to sign? I thought that contracts, especially form government universities where signed before arriving in China. I am unsure how to ask diplomatically �can I sign before arriving�. Do you have any suggestions how to handle this situation or do you think it really is not a problem? I don�t want to arrive and be at a disadvantage and have to go down the �tourist visa� road.
He is also going to telephone me soon. Would it be better to bring this problem up over the phone or thru email? Would they go to the trouble and expense of Visa, phone calls etc if they weren�t genuine?

I am keen to get this job. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Crippler · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 141 Location: Dongguan

I did not sign my contract until I got to China. However, I did have a copy of the contract with agreed upon changes. And I had their letter and my Z-visa in hand prior to leaving US. With the Z visa and the letter of agreement as long as you are satisfied with the contract terms you are pretty safe. SOme risk but life is full of many more serious ones. Worst case is you go to work for another school. I had over 20 job offers pending when I signed. And, I still have 5 or 6 standing offers.

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

You will only get one contract to sign, with your school. That is the only one that matters, and you should sign it in the presence of the school leaders and make sure it has all the relevant stamps.

As for this:

bukowski1234 · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2004 4:08 am Post subject: Signing Contract

I'm in sort of the same situation. I've been courting a public iniversity via email. They received all the necessary paperwork from me, then I found out that the contract would be signed when i arrive.

I have the form "Annex" with the general conditions but no specifics.

My contact at the IEO has been wonderful about answering questions as i ask them, but the no-contract-until-I-arrive situation is a little unsettling.

My predecessor at the university told me that he had a signed contract before he arrived. (I got his name from the internet and we've exchanged emails). Apparently, this guy has been at the school for a few years and is happy.

The school, however, can't tell me what courses I'll teach at this point.

Nothing is really settled between the university and myself except that we have expressed mutual desire to enter into an employer-employee contract.

It's a little worrisome.

Louis · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Posts: 275 Location: Beautiful Taiyuan

bukowski1234 · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2004 3:04 pm Post subject:

There are a few other snags.

It took the school a LONG time to send a letter of invitation and the request for the Z visa from the State Bureau of Foreign Experts. When the two documents arrived, they were filled out wrong: incomplete name, instructions to submit documentation to the Chicago consulate (rather than the Washington, D.C. consulate which has jurisdiction over my region of the U.S.).

Supposedly, the corrected documents are "en route" to me. At this late date (first week of July) I am wondering if I will have time to have my own (authenticated) documents go through the required PRC authentication process, get the Z visa issued, and get a seat on a plane at a reasonable rate before school starts.

I'm a little worried.

Johnmc · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 24

Thank for all the feedback. I feel a little more confident now after also talking with some "old hands". They assue me that Z-Visabefore contract is correct procedure. Smile

To "Bukowski 1234"- don't worry,- Although, the mixup of Visa does sound a hassle. You can always do the run to HK for Travel visa at their expense of course. Also try the 'Search button "visa" "contract"
Johnmc