Finding work in China

[sammie101]

I’m looking to work in China for 6 months, originally I intended on getting a tourist visa, travelling around seeing the sights, finding out where I would be comfortable staying and then applying for jobs when I get there.

I am starting to accept that I will have to get a job or a course before I leave to avoid visa issues. I am looking for any type of internship or short, cheap study course (eg. Mandarin/martial arts etc) to aide me with obtaining an F/X visa. I have found several websites/agencies claiming to assist with intern placement and accommodation. Does anyone have any testimonials or advice for me? I am keen to cut out the middle man and pay no fees, I just wanted some reassurance that I will be able to find work!

I have a chemistry degree and two years experience in the field. And I am getting really sick of visa hassles now ;)

[anonymoose]

Usually if you get a visa for a course of some sort, the visa will only cover the duration of the course.

If you intend to work, why not get the company to sort out the visa for you? You say you have a chemistry degree. You should be able to get a position teaching chemistry in an international school. There are many such schools in China (at least in Shanghai, and I know Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Suzhou have schools teaching A-levels) and the salary will be substantially better than teaching English (or most other jobs you are likely to find once you are here).

The other option is to come on an F visa. I don't really know much about this, but this has been discussed here several times before - try searching.

[sammie101]

Thanks for the quick response! I like the idea of teaching Chemistry and it is something I have been looking for...

Basically, I’m finding it difficult to find job boards/websites that aren’t from agencies that require a fee upfront – I am wary of using such agencies as I have found countless reviews from people who have paid £500+ for their services, only to turn up and find no job assured and no accommodation etc.

I am trying to find any websites that allow me to apply to schools/companies directly and cut out the agency step in between! But I have had no luck over the last few months!!

Ideally I wanted a tourist visa to travel and then settle and find work in a city I enjoyed spending time in, rather than apply directly from England only to find out the location is undesirable. However, I’m not resigning myself to applying for jobs before I get the visa to avoid having to pay twice or leave China and re-enter etc.

If anyone has any website they could point me in the direction of I would very much appreciate it!

x

[gato]

You can find a directory of international schools in China here:

http://www.english-schools.org/china/shanghai-american-school.htm

Most of the schools probably have an employment section on their website, which will allow you to apply directly.

[Mouseneb]

If you want to study Mandarin for your visa I know my school can provide accommodation and a visa for students, no problem. It's not super cheap, though! Anyway, you can see if you are interested:

http://www.omeca.cc/Article/Mandarin/200907/15.shtml

[sammie101]

Thanks Gato - the list of schools was very helpful! I will keep checking back but the majority have already filled all positions for the first 2010 semester

Still looking for more job boards posting work without a middle-man taking my cash....

[roddy]

Try Chinajob.com, foreignercn.com/, maybe Chinaesl.com(.cn?). If you're just looking for a job to get you into the country and let you start looking for something longer term, one of the big chains such as English First might suit - the jobs aren't great, but they have plenty of them.

[sammie101]

Thanks roddy, at the moment I am so sick of running in circles trying to find visa and job information I will take anything I can get to recieve the visa now!

Thanks again for the information! I'm not particularly confident in English teaching and was hoping to find something different as I didn't enjoy it when I've done it in the past, but I am willing to take anything now to prolong my stay in China!

[roddy]

I wouldn't imagine there are many chemistry teaching jobs, and many of the ones that do exist will be at international schools that will prefer qualified teachers. Actual work in something relevant is as likely to be advertised on overseas industry websites as on the China job portals, which tend to be swamped with English teaching work.