Job Discussion Forums

[KHS08]

Hi All,

I'm currently trying to obtain a teaching position in Shanghai or Hong Kong. I have a 4 year bachelors degree in Communications, over 3 years of business experience and over a year of experience working with children as a playspace leader for toddlers. I just finished my 120hr online certification and the program through which I did it is obligated to find me two potential teaching positions. I am most interested in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Unfortunately they keep telling me that it is nearly impossible for someone with my limited teaching experience to find a job in Hong Kong and now they've just told me that there is a new rule that in order to obtain a working visa in China as a teacher, you are required to have at least one year of formal teaching experience, unless you are willing to work in rural areas.

Is this program just being lazy, trying to send me to Hess in Taiwan? Should I look on my own in Shanghai and Hong Kong or am I not qualified enough to get a work visa in these cities?

Any advice?

Thanks so much!!
-K

[Kibbs]

No, they are being accurate. There is a lot of competition for jobs in HK.

[KHS08]

Ok cool. Thanks what about Shanghai? Is it true about the one year of experience needed to even obtain a visa there?

I'd still be excited about Taiwan as another option but I just wanted to cover my bases.

Thanks!

[Hansen]

Hair stylists usually don't start by giving 100$ haircuts. Take a job in an outlying area to develop some experience, then plan your ascent of Shanghai.

[toteach]

There are a lot of GREAT cities in China. Just because they aren't well-known to the rest of the world, doesn't mean they wouldn't be a nice place to work! (I ask otheres about the airport and KFC, so I know I'm not completely out in the sticks!)

If you're after the high dollar, China can't compete with Taiwan. BUT you'll have to work a lot more hours there!

[vikuk]

a great Chinese city - apart from one or two that may have a beach where you can find a gap of sand between the rubbish - and others close to a mountain or two - what makes one Chinese city nicer than another - to me they look all the same.

Just 10 years ago Chinese cities may have still retained some of their original character - but today almost everything that was old and original has been swept away by the developer - leaving a gray sameness everywhere you go.

Now the only real differences are the weather, levels of pollution, state of the traffic - the two most interesting differences being geographic location and local cuisine. But for special unique street character - well that's just about been destroyed!!!

I'm afraid having to go work in a less well-known Chinese city - just means a place that may not be as prosperous as the famous cities - and not so popular as a working destination for FT's - it certainly won't be an indicator of niceness. maybe it helps to think of nice in China as something that shouldn't be associated with Chinese city life - think more of cities as convenient places live - and from where, once in while, you can escape to enjoy some of the real pleasures of this country

[Lhenderson]

[mike w]

[Mister Al]

mike w

Chill........

OP, these days most provinces won't grant you a Foreign Expert Certificate, which you need to get your Residency Permit, unless you have at least two years relevant working experience related to the job you have been offered. So, you might want to embellish your resume a little. Mike w is correct in that the potential employer might check the accuracy of your resume (if they do they probably won't offer you a job in the first place) but if you are offered a job and accept it then the local Employment Bureau are highly unlikely to enquire further, so you will then be granted the FEC and then the RP and away you go.

Good luck.

[roadwalker]

I never made up stuff and don't recommend it. Not that it will end up on your permanent record.

OP, if your certification program comes through with a decent position, great. On the other hand, China is one place where you can contact employers directly with some success. What kind of students/school are you looking for? You seem to want the two cities with the most western amenities, is that why you want HK or Shanghai? Or is it salary?

I recommend contacting employers directly or even some of those ads for recruiters (DON'T pay for a job!). Right now most of the public schools are shutting down for the big holiday /winter break, or preparing to do so. If you contact them now, you MAY have some responses. Otherwise, the public schools will be gearing up again about the second or third week of February. Private language schools have a shorter holiday and may actually be increasing operations to add holiday classes for public school students. Check the ads here on Dave's or on the many other websites for efl jobs.

[eddy-cool]

The OP seems not to be aware of the differences between Mainland China and Hong Kong.

For the Chinese mainland the hiring rules are somewhat uniform though the jobs here are less attractive in general than HK positions are.

In HK he will have to meet more stringent criteria, work a lot harder (teaching in two schools with a heavier workload). Attrition is quite high, though; he really is well-advised to seek employment on the mainland - but whether he can take working conditions there is another matter.

[vikuk]

[Cohen]

[KHS08]

Wow thanks all! I really appreciate the advice. The reason I chose Shanghai was because I traveled throughout China two years ago and of all the places along the coast I visited it immediately struck a chord with me. (I'm from New York City ) and it doesn't get as cold as Beijing. Any cities inland that people would recommend I look at too?

I don't think I'll lie on my resume for now, I'm a bad bluffer, but it is good to know all of your thoughts!

Thanks!