Job Discussion Forums

Dray · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 31 Location: England

Excuse me if I'm asking a basic question, but when is the best time to apply for University jobs and when do terms start?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

This question has only been asked about a thousand times, so here's the answer:

Colleges and universities begin their terms in late February/August or early March/September. Responsible FAO's usually begin recruiting 3-4 months before the term begins.

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

Ah yes, TW, but the key word in your reply is "responsible". Many (almost all?) of the Chinese FAO's leave it until the last minute. That's the Chinese way. So the best time to find lots of ads seems to be closer to the start of the semester. But of course the ads you see then come from schools which are desperate!

I guess that's been said before too!

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

I agree with the last poster. The recruiting times seem to centre around recruiting newcomers. Why do I say that? Because many jobs don't advertise until August, late August! How can a longtermer in China find a new job without returning home first (if his visa expires soon after the end of his job)? It does seem very difficult to me.

If these schools were more serious they would advertise in mid may early june. That way it would be easier for people already in china to move on. I stayed at one school for 3 years because it seemed the safer option rather than hanging around til summer, til the very last minute just in case i got a job somewhere else.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

There are plenty of college and university positions advertised in May and June. Of course, one should also take the initiative of posting his/her resume online often instead of waiting for these ads to show up. Some FAO's don't advertise or when they do, they don't do it at too many sites. My current university is one example. If I hadn't posted my resume online, they would've never approached me because they only posted something like a couple ads last year.

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

TW is right, you have to advertise yourself, don't wait for the unis to come looking for you. It also helps if you do some on the ground research. Talk to other FTs in your locale, listen to the word on the street. You never know what may turn up under your nose.

patsy · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 179 Location: china

As far as the Fao's waiting till the last minute, it's so true. when i contacted my university in late may, they said "oh , yes, they had one opening left". then when i said I needed a few days to think about it, they called me back the next day and said that now they have many other applicants for this "one' position so I needed to hurry if i wanted it. lol. of course they are lying about most everything.