Job Discussion Forums

[XiaoBilly]

I want to make a transition from Korea to China, so I sent out about seven resumes this week. I've gotten five interview offers. How competitive are 10,000RMB+ jobs and how would one handle so many offers? It looks like I might have a few choices. If someone gives me a good offer, what is a reasonable amount to ask them to let me think about my decision?

I also applied to some non-teaching jobs (seemed to be a few call center positions available), and got one interview offer for that. Has anyone even heard of call center work in China that doesn't require Mandarin? Not sure what to think about it, but a Chinese friend of mine helped me apply on some Chinese job boards. What are the chances of someone getting a non-teaching job in Beijing or Shanghai (I don't speak Mandarin)?

[auchtermuchty]

[Non Sequitur]

You are experienced enough to know that money and hours track each other.
Other than in an international school, where you would need to be a certificated classroom teacher in your home country, RMB10,000 pm before tax would mean a lot of hours.
Lower salaries are boosted by free housing and airfares, so look at 'package' not 'salary' to try and get a competitive handle on offers.
Re call centres, I expect the trade that India does in this area is moving to China in some part. This is servicing the English-speaking world depending on time zone difference.
There are also back office providers who may require a native speaker to take phone calls. The majority of Chinese on staff are working on accounting, billing, claim processing etc and don't need to be fluent. That said, these providers often have an English trainer on board to upskill locals. I know of one such outfit in Qingdao.
Corporate jobs with exporters are very sought after and you are lucky to get an I/view offshore. There are threads on Dave's about moving to this kind of work.
The Beijing and other centre FE job fairs which come around are touted as the next move from teaching. However the booths are wall to wall education providers and provincial government publicity people from hard to staff areas. I attended one in BJ in 2009 (Swisshotel?) and interviewed with a wind turbine firm from Shenyang. It didn't go anywhere. They had export ambitions but didn't seem to understand about appointing agents and all that export stuff. I had 15 years in export but they couldn't get past the need to appoint and pay someone irrespective of sales made.

[sister_sunshine]

Depends where you want to go and what level you want to teach. Its much easier to get 10,000rmb+ in Shanghai or Shenzhen especially if you work kindy.

[XiaoBilly]

@Non Sequitur

I'll keep in mind which ones give free housing or not when looking what they offer. I have a question about hours. When they say "25~30" teaching hours, do they mean that by actual hours or lessons? I'm teaching for EPIK (public schools), and I have a limit of 22 hours (which is twenty-two lessons at 40 minutes each). Is it similar (45~50 minutes per a teaching hour), or do they take that number literally (Which would be about 35~37 lessons)?

I ask since I applied to a job for Berlitz in Japan, and they took the 26.6 hours number as 40 lessons (40 lessons x 40 minutes), which seemed like slavery. If that's true, I might look into lower paying, lower hour jobs. I don't mind working 40~50 hours+ if it's a non-teaching job, but not for teaching.

I hope something works out with the call center job. I wasn't expecting anything when I applied, so I'm glad I have a shot at it.

[Non Sequitur]

Without knowing the school sector that is quoting you the teaching hours, I can't be sure on the length of the 'teaching hour'. However, at my last place (public tertiary occupational college) it was 45 mins.
The classes were two teaching hours with a 10 minute break in between.
I've taught at private language schools on Saturday morning and the class were 55 mins each and paired so you were occupied for 2 hours.
I also mentioned travel and at 10,000 RMB after one year that's about 2m salary for a public sector position at around 4500-5000RMB pm. So again, think 'package'.
Another thought on accommodation is its location - on campus means almost no commute time.
I'm running on here a bit but also check if all the teaching is at one location.
Some jobs are at two schools and the time to commute over your lunchtime isn't paid. This is more prevalent at middle or high schools I think. Others may give you a better steer on this.
Best.

[XiaoBilly]

I think I found an offer I like (kind of kindie school), but I am concerned about the visa. They offer a "F Visa" since I only have one year experience teaching. I thought "F Visa" is only for sixth months? Should I be concerned? Everything else about the contract looks good. An F visa is a business visa, so one can work with that right? Or is there something I should be concerned about?

[mnguy29]

I don't think you want to work on an "F" visa. If they cannot do Z it may be a problem. When looking at a teaching job in China I don't even look at the salary unless I also know the number of classes per week and other things. 20 to 25 is far too many. 30 is just plain insane! I will only look at Uni now that pay 5000 to 6000 per month for 14 to 16 classes a week. I will work at one in southern China soon that is 5500 rmb per month for 16 but you only teach three days per week. You actually have some free time. I will live off-campus. Never want to live on campus again!!

[Lobster]

No Z equals no FEC equals no resident's permit probably equals no license to hire FTs equals bad news for you, the illegal worker. You will ove in constant danger of deportation or exploitation. Get a legit job.

RED

[Non Sequitur]

I love living on campus!
All the missionary types pretending to give extra lessons in their apartments but proselyting like mad.
Drunken FTS bellowing.
All night construction going on.
..and they're just the positives!

[Miajiayou]