Job Discussion Forums

[zombie_chris]

I think there has been some misunderstanding and some miscommunication. Because it took so long for us to receive a signed contract from you, the company and I hadn't anticipated hiring you to work for us. Since sending you the contract we have reached the teacher load we require in Beijing for the coming semester. I have should have communicated this to you more clearly and I apologize immensely.

In order to get a visa to work for Zhi bo you would need an invitation letter from us and typically all that is taken care of while you're in your home country, not after you arrive in Beijing; I'm unsure of what the process is if you have already arrived in Beijing. That is another reason that I believed that you have other work opportunities in Beijing and I hope this isn't too major a setback for you.

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Any ideas of what in the hell I can do now? I'm due to fly out this afternoon

[Outsida]

Get here, find another job. do the HK visa run.

a little exxy in the short run, but you'll live. Plenty of jobs in beijing. hit up a net bar. you'll be right.

[NathanRahl]

Outsida is right. I had a similiar problem, took me two days to find another job, and I was out in the boonies, and am now teaching in the boonies. Beijing is far from the Boonies, and there are a lot more job oppurtunites there. Even better, once you are here in china, it is easier to get a job. Just send out your resume and all your info, but put a new header in there, saying you are in china now, this will catch their attention quickly, put it in the subject asd well. Also, send your emails as late as possible, the last one sent is the first one read by employers. It won't take you long, 15 yuan, a couple days of going back and forth to the internet bar, and you'll be fine. The only problem you will likely have is trying to decide what job to actually take, I had that problem, and I am not in a big city like Beijing. You'll be fine. Also, I do not think you even have to run to Beijing. I recieved an email earlier telling me that you can simlpy go to the PSB, or public security bureau, and with little difficulty get your visa extended. Read my post on Joint Venture schools for more info on that. Anyhow, don't worry, you'll be fine, knowledge is power, and you now have plenty to be gainfully employed within the week. Take care.

[zombie_chris]

Thanks chaps, I've been talking with my friend in Beijing (being interviewed on CCTV-9 tomorrow, btw ) and a friend of his who is the manager of the Leo Hostel apparently had a phone call from one his old schools that they're looking for teachers. I'm going to have a chat with him when I arrive tomorrow afternoon.

It wouldn't be too much of a panic, but I got the email the day that I was flying out, and promptly had a nervous breakdown

[Outsida]

Thank you, Nathan. I, and no doubt zombie chris, found your post pretty sensible.

[brsmith15]

Oh, oh. Did you see the movie "Hostel"?

[zombie_chris]

Just a quick update. I'm firmly ensconced at the hostel now, went to see a friend of a friend here who has stacks of That's Beijing, Time Out and suchlike. I need to catch up on some sleep, and then I'll hit the classifieds tomorrow. Both the people I know are former English teachers, so I guess I'm in safe(r) hands.

Need sleep after a nightmare flight, but things are looking a bit better now, and at least I've got the chance to look around the schools and stuff rather than do it blindly on the Interweb.

Thanks to everyone who posted too, there's a Tsingtao waiting for a Nathan and Outsida

[zombie_chris]

Gah! A week and six interviews later, there's three interviews to go. I'm really thinking about cutting loose now, and chalking this one up to experience. Had a couple of frustrating turns where I turned up to see someone, after being told to prepare a 15 minute demo lecture and then at the office...no one knew who I was, what I was doing, or spoke English beyond "Sorry". If nothing turns up in the next couple of weeks, then I'll head home...it's been interesting...I think that the phrase is that it's been "a noble failure".

[hangzhouvice]

finding a good job in beijing can be a nightmare
don't pay agents any money whatever u do
i wish u good luck
but if things are not looking good u should probably start inquiring about jobs elsewhere
u can extend ur tourist visa to 3 months, if somebody vouchs that u are staying with them, so right now, don't be too worried about treking down to Hong Kong. Emo in Shanghai also do visas so HK is really not that neccesary now.
Beijing sucks in the winter
You could try Shangers, Chengdu, Dalian, Shenzhen or even a smaller city with a bit of character
Beijing aint the be all and end all buddy
Good luck
I'll follow ur progress and offer help when i can