Job Discussion Forums

[Karl Sal]

I posted this in General Asia about China & Thailand, but didn't really get answers, so let's try it on the specific country boards.

I'm halfway through my second year in China, and I'm looking to move to a new city. I'm just not entirely sure when I should be getting seriously concerned about/into the application process for next school year.

The school I've always worked with gets in gear in February, but I also know that's partly because they process new teachers through their program in the States each year.

What have you guys with more experience actively searching jobs found? Is there one time period in particular that I should be looking for to focus my applications?

[Non Sequitur]

What sector - public uni/college, or private language school?
In the public sector the holiday is most of July and August and the Foreign Affairs Office want to be away too.
This means most recruiting in this sector starts May and into June.
I know there will be others ready to say that's not right in my area but after 3 public uni/college gigs and numerous language school summer jobs that's my exp.

[Puffy]

It has been my experience that most schools prefer to have people lined up for the Fall semester by the end of May. Generally, the schools offer the jobs after the 5/1 holiday, at least for me. Then between 6/1 and 7/1 the FAO can process the visa etc.. before classes end around 7/1, assuming no Release Letter problems from your current school.

If all goes according to plan, you will have the new RP and be able to move into the new school's apartment around 7/15 when the the school closes.

They usually start advertising in April.

So, I'd say start looking at the end of March and definitely in April.

[Karl Sal]

Ah, thanks, Puffy - that's kinda what I was hoping to hear. I was getting really intense a week or two ago thinking I had to find stuff, but then it occurred to me that maybe I was worrying too soon.

[wangdaning]

The early bird catches the worm. (had to use it at least once in my lifetime)

I would definitely start looking into where to go and contacting people now. If you get in contact then they know who you are before the late spring applicants start coming. Offering a job and knowing you need it to be filled are two completely different things.

[MisterButtkins]

To be honest I started applying in the middle of March last year for my current job and I don't really feel like it helped me that much. I would say mid-April or early May are better options. There will still be plenty of openings, and you won't have a bunch of people emailing you a month after you sign the best contract you got offered saying they want to interview you because they just started processing applications.

[Guerciotti]

My contract ends on July 10th and I'm supposed to give notice of renewal 90 days in advance, so I must decide by April 10. That sounds too early to get an answer from another university. What to do?
Heck, April 10 is about six weeks from now.
Has anyone ever said "wait, I'm not sure yet" and continued at the same uni or moved on within the 90 day time period?

[therock]

March and April are too early, the decent schools would get quite a number of applicants. If you apply too early they'll still have no idea of what their recruitment requirements for the following school year are. Best to start looking in May, this is when the well organized schools have an idea of who is staying and going.

[Puffy]

I'm not sure about the above opinion. In my experience, the decent schools, such as Zhongshan University, already had their future staff in place in mid-May. A few others as well.

Some of those schools will play with you and wait till May to tell you if they want you back = you are now out of a job at a "decent" school and need to hover around the minnows like a bird seeking prey.

Stick it to them first. But, they may/will probably make you wait for the Release form. It is their way of maintaining control of a commodity they lost. Truly pathethic, in my opinion.

Like Wang said - "The early bird gets the worm."

Of course, our definitions of reputable/decents schools may differ.

[Karl Sal]

Well near as I can tell the guys saying March & April are early seem to have been on point, because there certainly hasn't been a flood of Fall jobs showing up so far.

[MisterButtkins]

I've already chosen a job for next year, and I received 4 serious offers just from putting my resume online. I think now would be a good time to start applying to places if you haven't already.

[wave5]

When do the majority of job advertisements appear for university positions (beginning in Fall)?

What is the general opinion on the best time to apply?

Thanks

[Non Sequitur]

Hasn't that been what the preceding 11-odd posts have been about?