Job Discussion Forums

AEON2007 · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

Is this ever OK? After coming to China, I've just learned of a 2,500 yuan a month for 4 months (so 10k) fee that covers the job placement, a pretty thorough helping hand and a weeks stay in a hotel while I settle.
Considering that jobs of 12,000 plus are being offered, is this a reasonable sum?
I need to decide ASAP so any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Lister · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 264

I'd never even consider it. A lot of people consider most if not all recruiting agents to be very untrustworthy, lot of people get burnt by them. Paying 10K to get burnt seems excessive to me, especially when they will be collecting fees from the school they place you in as well.

What sort of help do they give you? Is it the same help most schools would provide as a matter of course to a new teacher?

Why would you need to stay a week in a hotel? Often the school will provide accommodation. If not I'd be expecting something to be waiting for me for that kind of money.

Sounds like a scam to me.

But maybe I'm wrong and they really do offer an excellent service. Confused

AEON2007 · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

I think the schools doesnt provide accommodation but the main issue is that there isn't a fixed job, rather a set of interviews. Actually, I agreed to come without a fixed job - it sounds like I'm a shoe-in for a good job with a few back-up interviews. Yes, they do stuff like flat-finding, setting up a bank account, liasing with the management etc.
They do seem trust-worthy and any fee is conditional on getting the job. just seems high to me!

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

Brutal honesty time - of course it's a ripoff! You can use recruiters who will place you with a school for a 'one time' payoff that the school, NOT YOU, pays. Or choose a recruiter that will be taking a portion of your salary each month that you didn't even know about. Or, you can find your very own job for free. Most of the time, the salary is almost the same.
A genuine headhunter will have the legal contracts ready prior to your arrival in China and not a string of interviews. Heck, pay me 10K RMB and I'll put you up at a hotel for a week (it'll only cost me 1500 RMB) and I'll get you interviews for jobs starting at 40K RMB/mo. You won't get the jobs, mind you, but I'll make sure you have interviews until your money runs out.

In your case, I'll have my friend guarantee you a job, then once you pay me the fee, you'll be fired...nothing personal, just business.

Do Enjoy!

AEON2007 · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

I do pretty much agree but it should be said that the fee is paid monthly after a job is found. Of course, I've only recently found out about the fee...

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

Tell them go and take a run and f**k to themselves. Do not deal with these people. End of story.

AEON2007 · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

aaargh.... you're all right of course- I guess I just needed my first instinct backed-up! I was happy taking a risk coming here but now I'm in China with little money and nothing certain lined-up! What are the odds of quickly finding a job in the big cities and are they different for example between Shenzhen and Beijing?
Thanks for all the replies, by the way.

AEON2007 · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

i have experience and an MA in English by the way. Maybe too much experience to be doing stupid stuff like this!

Lipps · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 45

Really, you mean you went to another country without the financial means to support yourself?

Lovely.

AEON2007 · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

A slight exaggeration from me, sorry- i can just about survive until my back-up flight home in a month but really don't want to return home to poverty, tail between my legs.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

If you really need sorting out with a job, let me know. I'll sort you out.

No promises of Shangri-La or anything, but you'll be stable.

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271

IT2006 · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject:

Dude,

Run like the wind. Nobody in his right mind pays a recruiter for a job. Only the desperate fall for this scheme.

nobleignoramus · Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 208 Location: On the road

Anyone here in China will tell you the FT himself (herself) need not pay - the hirer does. But sometimes the employer will pass on his recruiting expenses toyou in the months to come, and he will be either brutally clear to you about it, or he will hide the items under some cover. He will possibly deduct it from your last salary - then, what can you do?