Just how brave / daft are you…

[Enigma]

After completing my CELTA course in July this year, I have been itching to get to China and teach for the last five months with no joy or teaching prospect in site. I unfortunately do not have a degree and reside in South Africa – two very big black marks that are counting against me when applying for good teaching positions. Although physically a stereo-typical Caucasian and native English speaker, the ”South African” bit in my resume, sadly, seems to be seriously counting against me – not even head ‘n shoulder jpegs seem to be convincing enough.

As going to China is not a very popular life-style option where I come from, there really aren’t many folk here to assist in giving advice or support on how to go about landing a job and living in China. Con and Raoul, bless there souls, have both been absolutely incredible in freely, openly and honestly giving me their opinions on every question, query and shoulder-crying-outburst that I have had or asked of them – in my book, both of them are very good somebodies, the type you never forget.

To state turn of events in broad brush strokes, the time has come to make a decision and I would appreciate words of wisdom anyone has to offer to factor into my decision making. The choices: to stay where I am, fumble around in the dark in the hopes that on the bits and pieces I know what to do in terms of finding a job, something bites, or, to purchase a ticket to Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou in the next few weeks, put on my walking boots and do everything within my power to find a teaching position with nothing but a CELTA certificate in my hand, invaluable corporate experience in my head, a song on my lips and hope in my heart – and yes, without a teaching interview or job prospect factored into the above equation.

I have read many, many posts on the saloon and have gotten a feel for a number of the saloonies and feel that there is much knowledge and experience buried in the zeros and ones submerged deep in its pages.

Just how brave / daft am I to pack my bags, shine and buff my thumb and fly to China – your thoughts, opinions, quirks, and advice would be greatly appreciated…

[George61]

Contrary to what I said in "Look or Leap"....maybe you need to be here. People may think because you are a Saffer, that you are "Roger". If they get to meet you in the flesh, and you look like a reasonable, proper colour, Saffer, they might be inclined to offer you a job. Of course, being from a 3rd world country is a disadvantage.
If you have had no joy applying via the Internet, you don't have a choice, but to be here in person. If you have sufficient funds to last a few months here, you should be able to land a decent job. If you pay us a "recruitment fee" we could do that for you. There is a thread about that. There are a plethora of jobs here.


All of the above is supposition only, and should not be taken as "Gospel"

[Dragonsaver]

I have known two people from South Africa. Both had an accent. One was a minor accent which was hardly noticable while the other one was very difficult to understand. (Both were very nice people!!!!!) The one with the slight accent had moved to Canada as a teenager to live with his Uncle and Aunt. He rented a room from me for 1 year after he completed highschool. The other person was a new immigrant to Canada, an adult who was having trouble getting a job even though he had many years experience.

Where I am going with this is for you to decide how strong an accent you have. I know some Australians (like George) who are extremely easy to understand. I know another lady here in Wuxi who I have to listen very very carefully to in order to understand. Should you come to China, the accent may or may not have an influence on you landing a job. I'm also wondering if the 'colour' question might be part of the equation. Both the people I knew were of European decent and wanted to leave SA due the crime rate and similar factors.

Without going back through your previous posts, I don't remember if you have a University Degree or not. If you have a University Degree you are more than qualified. What about considering the 'Winter Camp' that Raoul posted the other day. Once you are here, I believe you should be able to find something. Raoul would be the best one to confirm or deny that.

[George61]

I know some Australians (like George) who are extremely easy to understand.

ALL Australians are easy to understand! Just some of them don't make no sense!!

[Enigma]

As I have had major influence from the British throughout my life – having lived and vacationed in the UK a number of times and with my father and rest of my heritage being born and bred in the UK – IMHO, my accent is very audible. I do a have a very slight “South African” accent but then many people I meet in SA ask me if I come from the UK, so, I would say it is a good mixture of both SA / British - leaning more on the British. To look at, I recon I’m a pretty upstanding citizen – nothing too outlandish and rather respectable attire, etc... till you really get to know me

I unfortunately do not have a uni degree – a few diplomas and certificates and excellent corporate exp but no degree.

The Rand/Yaun exchange rate is by no means as strong as the Dollar / Yuan rate – it’s about 1,2(Yuan) :1(Rand) so my financial resources would be very limited when I get there – in other words, I would have to get a jimmy on finding a job. If I did take the leap, would anyone know where I begin – I’d like to start off in Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou and Con has suggested familiarising myself with areas, etc but where do I start with finding schools to apply to, etc?

[Dragonsaver]

The degree may be the stumbling block. Ask Con about that.

Apply for the Winter Camp that Raoul advertised. See where that leads.

Pad your resume with information about spending lots of time in England. Put copies of your Celta and College diploma's etc attached to your resume.

[Enigma]

That’s the strange thing, I have flooded my resume with all the travelling I have done throughout Europe – UK, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, the fact that I have a British passport… I have attached my CELTA certificate plus other diplomas, plus letters of reference from pervious employers such as IBM and SAP. AAAAND the photograph I attach - I've got long blonde hair, blue eyes and am 1.7m and weigh about 60 kg and very, very white - all of this and STILL no joy!!!

I know the lack of degree thing really is not a thumbs up for me but I am not going to give up or be put off just because I don’t have a degree, I have many other attributes in my favour…

The winter camp thing is definitely an option and I will look into it but would really like to get myself a more stable / permanent position…

Any other advise on finding schools once I get there?

[Dragonsaver]

The winter camp thing would get you into the country with a salary. It would also get you teaching experience in China.

Is your resume 1 page or longer??? I was told to keep it to one page. Maybe you should go the other track and un-pad. Just the minimal information. Attach the most impressive diploma and CELTA. Say references available upon request.

Do you have any teaching experience??? Even Corporate teaching can be used. That is important. I'm too new to China to give advice on how to land something once here.

[Non-Dave]

Here's my 2 cents worth Enigma - I'd probably play by the local rules and only tell them what they need to know. Delete any info about living in S.A. Focus on the British Passport, the photo and certificates. Maybe even send an audio file with you introducing yourself in a charming Pommie accent.

[Enigma]

Taking the leap (and pulling all possible lines to ensure my canopy opens) is looking like my reality at the moment but before I do, I would like to do a few checks on my rig and reserve shoot…

There has been made mention of ensuring a surplus of funds when jumping from said airplane – are there any bids on how much (in Yaun) it would take to survive for a month without gainful employment – I appreciate all areas have varying degrees of spend and there are certain factors such as advancement on accommodation to take into account but a general stab on day-to-day living and basic accommodation would be beneficial.

[Dragonsaver]

There is another teacher living in the building where I am who came over without a job, but has found one. she had a friend who ended up having to rent an apartment and didn't do too well on getting a decent job. I mentioned you to her and I may be able to get her e-mail for you. She is Australian. I have told her about Raoul's but she hasn't visited here yet.

You need about 1000 - 1500Y per month for groceries, meals and travel. Rooms are above that.

I still think you should try for the winter camp. They are always looking for victims teachers.

Are you male or female?? You don't show that on your info.

[nolefan]

I think what is happening is that people get to the bit about NO DEGREE and don't read any further. The fact that you are caucasian and have a celta should be more than enough to get you a job in a training centre or even a middle school. Heck, i remember meeting a 17 years old kid teaching out in the country side when i first arrived in China two years ago.

Have you tried going through a recruiter like Buckland or New Times ?

[Enigma]

OK so now that I have a fair gage on the mullah situation – thanks to all who raised their hands and put forth a bid – I have another question…

Con, bless his cotton socks, (he really is a clever chap ol’ Con), has brought another very important factor to my attention – if I make this leap in the next few weeks – let’s say leave home soil on 9 December at 14h25 and land in Shanghai on 10 Dec at 12h45 on flight number 479W via Singapore – hypothetically speaking of course – and pull on my walking boots that week, will I find most of the schools resembling a ghost town i.e. do schools shut down for vacation breaks over December and reopen in January. The last thing I want to do is take the leap, my canopy opens just beautifully but then find I have no where to land for nearly a month due to change in wind directions…

Is finding a job whilst there during the course of December a viable option or is it best to wait till Jan?

[nolefan]

You can get a job in december but it will mainly be with private schools/training centers. No public school would hire you that close to the end of the semester and pay for 2 months of vacation before you begin really teaching. I know that there are plenty of openings right now in Beijing and all over Hebei province.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Enigma, did you say your father was British? I know they're looking at closing that door, but wouldn't it be worth trying for a Brit passpost?
As for accents, Chinese can't tell the difference.
And yes, you WILL be able to get a job. My school employed [with my encouragement] an Indian woman who, incidentally, was excellent.
Turning up may be the way to go, though not having a degree will restrict you. You may even consider using [gasp] a recruiter, and settling for highschool work in one of the less popular locales.
Good luck.

[Ruth]

and settling for highschool work in one of the less popular locales.

HEY. I just signed for my third year teaching high school in a decidedly less popular locale. Suits some of us just fine.

Back to Enigma: China doesn't shut down in December. If you wait until mid-January you will run into Spring Festival and China DOES shut down for that holiday. Better to hit the pavement in December. Some of the private schools do a lot of business during the holiday because that's when kids are out of school and their parents pay to send them to extra lessons. Even if you got a temp job doing a winter camp session, it could pay the bills until something more permanent turns up beginning with the new semester in Feb.

[Enigma]

Dr Gonzo, the British passport is under control – have had one since I was born – bless mothers, they really do know what they are doing.

Ruth, thanks for your advice about coming over in Dec as apposed to Jan. I must admit, I went to bed last night with an entire truck load of new thoughts to consider and file in my head (all of which I am exceptionally glad to have been exposed to) and woke up this morning feeling rather jaded for lack of sleep and decision. Having read your post, I have just purchased my ticket – the marketing boys at Nike really did hit the nail on the head when they came up with the slogan, “Just do it”!

Could sound like a daft question but are “B&B” or “youth hostel” types of accommodation readily available in Shanghai and Suzhou? Am planning on landing in Shanghai, staying there a night to recoup a little and then heading to Suzhou but would have absolutely no idea where to begin in terms of finding somewhere horizontal to put my shell. I know there are a ton of hotels on the web but would like to explore all options.

[Ruth]

Welcome you to China. When is your arrival date?

I don't know anything about youth hostels and haven't heard of B&Bs here. But, I don't live in a big city. I did price a youth hostel in Beijing, right across from the train station. It was more per night than the 2 star hotel I was staying in. Not a clue how Shanghai and Suzhou are in these areas. Raoul, CAN, Phyllis and Con would be the best source of info for that.

[woza17]

Captain's youth hostel near the bund, I stay there 3 years ago when it first opened around 55rmb a night. It was great then.

[Dragonsaver]

There is one in Shanghai. One of the teachers stays there whenever he goes to Shanghai. I'll get the name from him. Sleeps 8 to the room, so you have to make sure everything is locked up.

[Mr Nobody]

I have some advice. I had a similar problem, no joy etc. I have a degree. It isnt that.

I simplified my resume (rather, had it done for me by someone talented and experienced here in China) so that people with poor english can read it.

Worked a treat.

[Dragonsaver]

The hostel in Shanghai is called: Captain Hostel. They have a website and you can book a room online.

Web: www.CaptainHostel.com.cn

Email: [e-mail]

Address: No. 37 Fuzhou Rd, Shanghai, China (Near the Bund)

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Good Luck

[Enigma]

Thanks for the accommodation details boys ‘n girls, much obliged… Will be landing in Shanghai on 10 December… Eeek! So will look into the above details given before then.

Have had a look at my resume and will hack it down again, thanks for the tip Nr Nobody…

[nolefan]

good luck , mate!! You're gonna need some on this journey.