Job Discussion Forums

[Munroe]

I have been looking at some jobs online, but I'm wondering if I should just skip this process and do my job hunting in person from within Shanghai.

What are the pros and cons of each of these paths? Why?

What do most people do?

[tomstone]

For me, in person is the ONLY way to go; all "pro", no "cons". You see them, they see you.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[Jayray]

If you go to China looking for a teaching position, you run the risk of not being able to obtain a Z visa and a residency permit. Going the usual route of applying from home, submitting paperwork, securing the letter of invitation, etc., then applying for the Z visa from your home country is much safer than flying to China and hoping to get your L visa changed to legal working papers.

Do a search. LOTS have been said about this for years. Check the stickies.

[Orrin]

Coming to Shanghai, or any city in China for that matter, on a tourist visa and trying to find LEGAL work once you are here is like playing Russian roulette with only one EMPTY chamber in the pistol!

[daCabbie]

I wouldn't just show up here in China and think your gonna find a job, no problem.

You will be putting yourself under a tremendous amount of pressure to find a job. You will be living in a hotel, on a tourist visa in a city you are unfamiliar with and a language you probably don't speak. That is a lot of pressure with the deadline of a visa expiring to find a job. This is when you will make a critical mistake and take a questionable job.

I wouldn't do it. Just think about the simple problems you have when applying for a position, like faxing someone a document. This might be a simple task in your hometown, but here it can be an ordeal. Sometimes getting copies made of something can turn into a challenge.

Save yourself the headaches. Apply from home. You will find a decent job within a couple of weeks (if you are not to picky). If you are ready to get out of where you are at, that is excellent because the new semester starts soon and schools will need teachers here in the next three weeks. So be ready to pack your bags and head out the door when the right offer shows up and it will.

Good Luck and Welcome to China!

[motown]

What you should really do is fly over and check out the situation for yourself.
Discount what anyone on this forum has to say. It's up to you!!
What do you really know about China or Asia for that matter. You are probably considering spending more than one year here so why not make that initial investment to check out the situation for yourself knowing that you have a return ticket in 2 to 4 weeks. These flights can usually be shortened or extended for about 100 dollars is required.
Going to a remote area can be risky.
Getting a job in one of the major cities is more difficult as everyone and their brother are also looking for work there. But there is a reason why they are looking there and not in middle-of-nowhere China.
The choice is yours...you can pay now or perhaps (gulp) pay later.
Good luck.

[sheepgotoheaven]

I am in a similar situation.

I am going to be graduating with a 4 year diploma in May. I am going over to Shanghai for a study abroad program that will last about a month.

I am thinking that since I am already going over to China, it might be an option for me to find a job face-to-face while over there(I really don't know how I'd pull that off though. Walk around looking for employment?)

The only catch is that I will NOT have my degree (I have searched the forums... Some people were saying that a transcript of all my completed coursework might do.). (Will receive the actual sheepskin sometime in Aug/Sep)

What do you guys think would be the best course of action? I really want to work in China. I am even considering (although not the most desirable) returning home... getting the actual degree.... then applying to jobs from the US.. then going back again..