Job Discussion Forums

Leith

Hi, im looking to find work in China. And have some questions asking about the process.

Firstly, my qualifications:
BA (Majors in both English and Film and Media)
TESOL Cert. from Global TESOL College
21 years (20 August 1988)
Native english (New Zealander)
No teaching experience, but plenty of work expeirence with training others etc.
Prepared to teach anywhere any time, but would like a salary contract
(If you require more info, check out my cover letter on the resume board)

Questions:
1) Based on my qualifications how good are my chances of getting a job in the july-sept period? how good are my chances regardless of the time?

2) What are my chances of getting a job from NZ

3) what are some good organisations to go through (like JET in Japan)?

4) as an entry level teacher what salary should I 'settle' for?

empiler1 · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 16

Hi there. I'm in a similar position in NZ too.

I easily found several schools that want me to start within a couple of weeks on a tourist visa. But I'm scared of that.

I tried the agency titicacatravel.com. They seemed very helpful, but my best job fell through at the last minute! They have a #200 fee payable in advance, but after I asked, they agreed to take it out of my salary instead, so that's not a risk. However I've no idea if that agency is genuine or not, since nothing ever eventuated.

I called one in Shanghai, but they required an in-person interview. I'm not sure how anyone can do an in-person interview, because of visa issues.

sojourner · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:44 am Post subject:

Hi Empiler & Leith,

First of all, you should avoid ANY recruiter who happens to ask you to pay a fee - whether upfront, or to be deducted from your first salary (how considerate of them !).

Many posters to these fora would suggest that you avoid recruiters altogether.I've been in China for 7 years; three of my four jobs were obtained through the same recruiter.I have found her to be v.conscientious and efficient . I suppose that I could have found my own jobs, but dealing with a good recruiter who knows your particular needs - and, who'll do all the time-consuming leg work - suits a lazy person like me just fine !

If you are reluctant to use a recruiter, you might want to apply for one of the jobs advertised on Dave's China Job Board - but, in many cases, they have been placed by recruiters. Also, you might want to submit your resume to Dave's "post your resume" facility.

Alternately, decide beforehand the area of China that appeals to you, then do a google search, by punching in the town's name and the words "universities" "colleges", "experimental schools", etc (depending on the sort of institution that you want to work at) .Then check each institution's website for a link to "teaching vacancies". If there are no vacancies, then search for the institution's FAO (Foreign Affairs Office) and send them a message. If they're interested in you, they'll probably ask for you to send them your CV; and with the case for most unis, they'll then ask you to provide a time/date for a short phone interview (in most cases nothing too much to worry about !).If they like you, you may have to email copies of your passport and degree. After a few weeks, you'll receive a Letter of Invitation which you have to take (along with some passport-sized photos) to the nearest Chinese consulate in order to get the appropriate visa (Z, I think).You then will fly to the People's Republic ( in most cases, initially at your own expense) . Not long after settling in ,apart from providing the original of your degree, you'll have to undertake a medical (usually nothing much to worry about). A couple of weeks later, you'll be issued with an F.E.C. (Foreign Experts Certificate), which is in the form of a passport-shaped booklet. Depending on your employer, you may then be reimbursed for the cost of your airticket; but, in most cases, you will receive the 1st half of the cost at the end of the 1st term, and the remainder at the end of the 2nd. It's a good idea to retain all receipts for pertinent expenses (eg taxi fares from your home to the airport, etc), as some employers might reimburse those !

After a school/uni expresses an interest in employing you, you should then ask the FAO person (or recruiter) for the names/ph numbers/email addresses of past/current FTs (foreign teachers), to enable you to find out more about working conditions, etc, at the school.

Thus, before arriving in China, most of the important steps would have been undertaken whilst you are still in "Godzone" - in other words, unless you were interested in a job with one of the best international schools, there is no need for you to fly to China in order to have a job interview !

If you choose to deal with recruiters, try to avoid "Angelina's" .

Please feel free to PM me should you have any queries.

Good luck !

Peter

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

i agree with what the sojourner says. DO NOT pay anyone for finding a job for you. schools pay recruiters to find teachers for them, but you should never be forking over money to anyone for the "privilege" of working here. there are plenty of avenues to find jobs on your own. search around on this forum, there are numerous websites advertising jobs where you can contact a school directly.

empiler1 · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 16

Hi Sojourner, cheers for the information. That's all great if unless you got offered the perfect job except it has the catch that they need you to start in 2 weeks, so they promise a Z visa via Hong Kong. Oh well, might be worth a gamble on wasted airfares.

empiler1 · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 16

sojourner · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:56 pm Post subject:

Empiler,

Check out some of the more recent threads re visas. I think that a lot of them state that it is illegal to work in China on a Tourist Visa. If one happens to be in possession of such a visa, before commencing work he/she has to go to HK (with an Letter of Invitation) and receive the Z visa there. Some posters have said that a few years ago a Tourist Visa holder could apply for a Z visa (or whatever it was called back then) without having to leave China, it's a different situation now. Please check out those threads.

I'm surprised that in NZ you are required to undergo a medical in order to be issued with a Z visa.I've heard of such a procedure being required in some Asian countries (not sure about HK) - but, even if it is required, you would still have to undergo another medical when you arrive in China ! The last time I was issued with a Z visa was three ago, in Melbourne - no medical was required then. Time/money-wise permitting, you might want to apply for your Z visa in Australia !

What is this "perfect job" that you mentioned ? Newbies such as yourself should always be v.wary of the "perfect" job. A (seemingly) generous salary might require you to put in many,many hours in the classroom.Also, you might be required to find your own accommodation.

Be aware that any reputable employer would be fully aware of the regulations re visas. If an employer/recruiter says that your tourist visa can easily be "transferred" into a Z visa, the "red lights" should come on !

Peter

sojourner · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:07 pm Post subject:

Empiler,

Oops, I didn't read your last post properly ! So, a school has said that you can get your visa in HK. Have they definitely offered you a job ? Or, do they want to see you in person before giving you a Letter of Invitation ? If that is the case, it must be a really up-market, top-range sort of school ! In the vast majority of cases, one only needs to undergo a short phone interview and to transmit copies of his/her CV and degree in order for the Letter of Invitation to be sent to you.

Peter

empiler1 · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 16

Tai_Li · Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 11

Thanks Sojourner for all the great info!

jamesmollo · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 276 Location: jilin china

Hi there fellow kiwis! I have been working in China 5 years now. So, feel free to pm me for any info. I obtained a z-visa in Auckland before I came, and yes the medical is required in New-Zealand. Not too expensive. You can download the form (which is in Chinese and English) and go to your GP. However, it will will be done again in China (at the employer's expense).
It sounds strange they want you to come on a tourist visa then go to HK to get a z-visa, why all the fuss? they can send you the invitation letter and additional paperwork to you in N.Z then you can get a z-visa through your local Chinese consulate.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

The above post is spot on.

A year ago our school was asked to show entry visas for all FTs. That's the only thing they wanted to see.

If you choose to enter China for the purpose of work on anything except a Z visa, then be aware risks come with working illegally.

Some may feel this is alright to do. You can read about the Z visa debate here:

http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/china-english-teacher-visas.htm