Job Discussion Forums

[Lukeukwalker]

Hello everyone.

What I really want to know is; when is the best time to start applying for jobs in south China (Somewhere like Zhuhai). I would like to go out there in September time. If anyone could point me to a nice city or town around the south or south/east with possible job vacancies (that you know of) I would be most grateful as there's just sooooo many!

I currently hold a Bsc Degree and am completing a TEFL qualification to get a grounding in grammar and teaching methodology. CELTA was just too damn expensive! I have no real experience in actual teaching but have managed a summer school for foreign kids twice and will do it again this summer. I have also worked with children on and off for the past 4 years.

I would also like to know if the above is enough to procure a 'decent' first time job.

Oh, I'm from the UK with a non de-script southern accent if that matters at all.

I Know it's all a bit jumbled, sorry about that.

Many thanks

Luke

[lee_barttwater]

You mean you didn't see the other threads on this subject? If you can't find a job or decide where to live then how can you be expected to be independent and reliable enough to do the job and live on your own in a foreign country?

[Lukeukwalker]

hmm thanks for the sarcastic reply. having looked at your previous comments you are obviously a troubled person.

My discussion was mainly to bat ideas around. I want to know when is it best to job hunt e.g. is now too early. I also want to know peoples opinions of places like Zhuhai which I am very interested in. If people have any information which relates to there or near there that would be great.

On a side note, most jobs I have found are for now or in the next month. I would like to sort out a job before June due to one reason or another. I am not asking for people to be handing me jobs on a silver platter, just their opinions of the job spec in the surrounding areas.

[TexasHighway]

It all depends on what kind of job you are looking for. If you are looking for a university teaching job, then April-May is probably the best time to line up a position for September. But a lot of language mills do their hiring any time of year. You say you have experience working with children, so what age group do you prefer teaching? I agree that Zhuhai is a good place to start with its proximity to Hong Kong and Macau. Although I have never taught there, I have visited a couple times and liked it.

[rap60]

just ignore the last posting, boy you get some wombats on here. your questions are legit. probably though someone will ask you what you mean by 'nice' city, what does that mean to you. so maybe clarify that. been told that recruitment for september positions hppens from March onwards, but more seriously from June. hope it helps and good luck

[rap60]

sorry, i meant ignore the first reply you got.

[Ariadne]

I spent a year in Zhuhai and like it very much. It's great being so close to Macau. When you cross the border into Macau you really feel as if you have traveled to a different place... the architecture, signs, and cars driving on the other side of the road. Fun.

Some of the schools are a long way from downtown, but buses are pretty good and there's a train now. If you feel desperate for a Western food fix there are several nice hotels with great buffets. The weather is nice but it can get chilly in winter and soggy wet during the rainy season.

.

[Laurence]

if you want to apply to training centres, they hire year-round so you can put in an application any time - they might have more vacancies in the summer, when parents palm their children off with summer classes during the holidays.

if you want to apply to universities or schools, then keep your eyes peeled from July onwards. many academic organisations put recruitment of foreign teachers towards the bottom of their 'to do' list, so vacancies are often advertised not long before the term starts in August / September.

you might want to check whether your preferred destination stipulates that you must have two years of teaching experience to qualify for a legal work visa - I know Guangzhou is quite strict about that, Zhuhai I'm not so sure.


I recommend you check out Beihai, a little way south around the coast from Zhuhai.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[sistercream]

I'll add a vote for Zhuhai as a good place for a first year (or more) in China mainland. As well as having easy access to Macau and Hong Kong, it is still relatively laid-back, the pollution isn't too bad (except when the wind is in the north, i.e. winter), and it is on a more human scale than the ginormous super-megalopolises like Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
But if you and atmospheric humidity are worst enemies, go elsewhere or be prepared to live indoors 6 months of the year.

[MisterButtkins]

Personally I am going to start looking for a new place to work in April. Last year I started right at the beginning of March and I feel it was entirely too early. I had accepted a job by the beginning of April, but then more offers kept coming in until about the middle of May.

Also, it seems like most people I know have had more luck putting their resume up on one of the resume sites rather than applying directly to the schools themselves. (on a side note, does anyone know how to put that mark above the e in resume)

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

R�sum�

you can copy and paste this into your document.

[wangdaning]

[Non Sequitur]

I had my first ad for a university Sept start job in my inbox today.
OP can PM me if he/she wants more info.
The message is of course that we are not even mid March and the ads are starting.

[Lukeukwalker]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really like the sound of Beihai, thanks for the tip. Also putting my CV on here is a great idea. I'll make a generic one and post it asap. See what replies I get. Thanks everyone.