Job Discussion Forums

[NorthofAmerica]

So it's been about 2 years since I updated my resume since that's when I came to Japan. I remember adding things like "marital status" and a picture among other oddities when I came here and I am curious about the form of a resume for applying to jobs in China. Are there any odd things to include at all? Any advice as to what constitutes a good resume in China?

Also, after spending some time in Tokyo last week with a bunch of Europeans who were living in a guesthouse and trying to hash things out after their arrival I am thinking about doing the same. I have found soooo many more opportunities living in Japan than I saw when I was applying from overseas and I imagine it is the same in China.
Is it possible to show up with a tourist visa, then find a job after and flip it? Is this a good way to do things? Any first or even secondhand experiences would be much appreciated!

[eslstudies]

As you're in Japan, I'm assuming you're degreed and TEFLd. You haven't said what kind of work you're after. The big money in Shanghai lies in the corporate sector. This usually requires being in situ and making contacts. Getting a university job is a good start. It gives you a visa, housing, time to explore the options and start to develop them, and a certain legitimacy amongst corporate types who set up training programs. In fact, some universities [eg SISU] have a department that specialises in this area. Royce Gao was the go-to person when I was there some years ago now.

Once you've got the connections and earned a reputation as professional and reliable, you may wish to go it alone, but with the short hours and perks of uni life, and the fact that most corporate work is weekends and after hours, why bother?

The other option is walking in off the street to some of the many English colleges, or "working the privates". I've never done this kind of work. Some like it, and do well. Others get screwed royally. Shanghai is ruthless in this regard, and is no place for the naive: I'm not suggesting you're that, btw.

[Anda]

You can do the tourist visa thing here and then do a visa run to Hong Kong. The better jobs here come with time and reputation / connections.

Once you move away from the big cities the money drops a lot. However the costs of moving from job to job location for privates in the big cities can quickly eat into what you are getting paid not to mention adding extra hours of travel that are not paid.

The normal pay rate is a hundred an hour. Privates in Shanghai pay from 250 to 350 RMB an hour. Corporate positions I've seen up to 30,000 RMB a month.

Here is a site for the bigger money:

http://shanghai.asiaxpat.com/careers/view.asp?category=22&city=9


............................................................