Job Discussion Forums

[Itsme]

If you found your job before arrival, what what the process that you followed? Did you look online and did the recruiter call you to conduct an interview? What country were you applying from? Did you sign a contract before you arrived and did the schools offer you references or did you have to ask for a lot of things to be done for you? Did you enter on a one way or round trip ticket and what was your experience upon entering the airport? Was there someone waiting for you? What were your alternate plans if something went wrong?


IF you came to China first, did you find it difficult to find a job or easy? Were there any websites or specific newspapers that made it easier to find a job? (I am interested in Beijing) Do you think that you got a better deal than someone who came to China through an agency? Would you say that there are more public/private/or university positions available?


For those who have perhaps done both: What are the tips you would give a complete newbie for this situation? do you think that it is better to go through an agency or recruiter or to handle the situation yourself?
Are there many options available and what happens if I arrive and noone is there?!

Thanks

[Roger]

Look, I am the adventurous type, but not the one who goes abroad to make money; I toured China for a long time before I became interested in staying put and earning my living here.
My advice to you would be to spend some of your savings on getting to know the country and the places you like best, then get hired.
Recruiters promise you Shangri-La but deliver you to Hell or no man's land..

[lagerlout2006]

There's nothing wrong with using an agent if they can find you somrthing you can't find yourself. But in China that seems unlikely.

What Roger says is excellent . Just get here.

Your question I found a job before arriving but got the visa later.

How? Because I have a passport from Canada a degree and a Visa card. All that's needed. No other references will be necessary. OH I also have a dodgy Tefl course and experience. Being Asian will make it a bit tougher. I worked with a Cantonese Australian. He has an MA but was paid less than me. (This is not a rule---there were other factors involved.) Is it fair? No. But he has no trouble finding employment. He just has trouble hanging onto it. Finding a job is easy. Staying is the problem. As the guy in the movies says Theres an infinite number of places to go mate the question is where do you stay?