Job Discussion Forums

[pattyflipper no more]

I need the help of everyone that has any experience with contracts, travel, and what job to take.

First, a little about me so we all know my situation. I am 19 years old, male, from Canada. I have attended University, but I did not get a degree. I did complete a TESOL certificate, from the International TESOL training centre.

Lately I have been getting job offers from all over China, suprise, suprise. And I am really not sure what to take.

1)Job #1, is in Huludao, Liaoning province. The job is 25 hrs per week for 4500rmb, apartment and airfare included. There are 2 other foreign teachers at the school, and 12 others in the city. The nice part about this contract for me is that all the teachers in the city are aged between 20-26. Is this normal to see everywhere??? That is the basic off, I can get in to more details as the selections are narrowed down.

2)Is in Fuzhou, in the Fujian province, with Ladder English Training School. This job is 15hrs per week with the pay at 4000rmb. Agian aprt, and airfare are included. Transportation to and from work are included. This seems to be a nicer area the up north in the "rust belt" as Roger so nicely put it. But any info on this school and town would be good.

3)Is in Zhuhai or Shenzen, this is for 4 weeks only, about 25 hrs per week and pay is 6000rmb. They say that after the 4 weeks if I want I can do a years contract with them, but it seems like kind of a risk. Zhuhai looks like a great city, but I am not sure if it is worth the risk.

So there you have it. What should I do. What are good questions to ask these employers. Any advice would be great.
Cody

[Roger]

The "Ladder School" must be a private outfit. They have been mushrooming of late, and most are unknown. Some fold after a year. I think the offer they are making to you is not bad. Just make sure they sponsor you on a work visa!!!

Jobs in Zhuhai and Shenzhen are good too. I personally like Zhuhai a lot better than I do Shenzhen! 6000 is common in these places. They are more expensive than Fuzhou, of course, and you are next to Macau (Zhuhai) or Hong Kong (Shenzhen), which both draw heavily on your income when you visit these places!

The polint about "one month, after which we might hire you..." is not uncommon. Most of us actually put in a one-month probation, after which our work visas are being applied for.
I would not mind about this. The outfit seems to be more honest in saying this from the start!