Job Discussion Forums

consumetake · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 7

My condition before I arrive to China.
- Associate Degree
- No TESL (yet) - most likely I will take the online under $200 USD to "save" money and just have "something" just to "get by"
- American Born Chinese / Native Speaker
- mid 20s
- traveled to China

I plan to arrive in Shenzhen looking for a short term job and then 3 months or so later, travel to Beijing and look for another short term job.

Browsing through the forums, one user stated that the schools hate backpackers going from one city to another city to find a job.. and gave me a site teachersonthemove.com

I am mainly in China to backpack (yes), and also get my entertainment tv and radio industry going..

What advice do you have for me? What is the process from signing a contract online and then signing it again? Please tell me more about this in detail.

Sonnibarger · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 320 Location: Wuhan

Its going to be tough... to be honest most schools dont hire Asian looking teachers... sucks i know but it is a reality here... Some of the bigger chain schools will, but if you planning to only stay a few months at each school I am guessing they will not even consider you... Are you planning to get a visa from these schools? If yes.. I would say dont even bother trying.. Unless you sign a year contract and pull a runner... BJ and SZ are two of the most popular cities amoung FT's here.. many will have much more experience/education with a white face... you might have better luck further west.. damn it early in the morning :S

consumetake · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 7

What if I do go longer for six months or 1 year?
Would it be possible to sign a contract here in the states (over the phone/email) like they normally do it, and then "set" a certain date of hire? for example, the contract says like starting in June 2009 in Beijing, but I arrive in Shenzhen in April (for fun and just sight seeing) before I actually travel to Beijing?

Some listings I have seen, they do not offer housing, and willing to accept part timers.. I guess that's all I have left, since I do not have experience nor having an asian face.