Getting a job in China - Revision history

Licia K: /* A Word About Teaching English... */

2013-04-18T18:46:54Z

A Word About Teaching English...

Licia K: /* Skills */

2013-04-18T18:45:41Z

Skills

Licia K: /* What to Look for in a Job */

2013-04-18T18:43:33Z

What to Look for in a Job

Licia K: /* What to Look for in a Job */

2013-04-18T18:42:41Z

What to Look for in a Job

Licia K: /* Give yourself plenty of time in China */

2013-04-18T18:41:13Z

Give yourself plenty of time in China

Licia K: /* Start right where you are */

2013-04-18T18:40:05Z

Start right where you are

Licia K: /* How to Find a Job in China */

2013-04-18T18:38:57Z

How to Find a Job in China

Licia K: /* "Opportunity Knocks", it Isn't Handed to You on a Platter */

2013-04-18T18:38:25Z

"Opportunity Knocks", it Isn't Handed to You on a Platter

Licia K: /* Introduction */

2013-04-18T18:37:29Z

Introduction

Licia K at 18:36, 18 April 2013

2013-04-18T18:36:50Z

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 =A Word About Teaching English...=
-If all you want is the adventure of being in China, or a chance to improve your language, Teaching English might be the way you want to go. But beware, the job will probably not be what you expect, and it will not pay a lot (although, by China standards, it will probably not be to low, see the comments on salary above). The requirements are usually easy to meet- English ability, light skin (Chinese parents look for the light skin as an indication of your origins in an English speaking nation) and, usually, a college degree - in any field. You must also be willing to live where the job is and possibly in the housing that comes with the job. Check the job description.<br/>
+If all you want is the adventure of being in China, or a chance to improve your language, teaching English might be the way you want to go. But beware, the job will probably not be what you expect, and it will not pay a lot (although, by China standards, it will probably not be to low, see the comments on salary above). The requirements are usually easy to meet- English ability, light skin (Chinese parents look for the light skin as an indication of your origins in an English speaking nation) and, usually, a college degree - in any field. You must also be willing to live where the job is and possibly in the housing that comes with the job. Check the job description.<br/>
 As with any job, it doesn't hurt to look for referrals from people you know; referrals for both you to the folks in China and for good places to work for. Do your homework before you go and you have a better chance to enjoy your experience working in China. (Anderson)
 =Resources=

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 =So, What do I Need to Get a Job in China?=
 ==Skills==
-*Learn Chinese. The days when you could get a job just be being willing to go the China are long gone. Today, it is not enough to just know English - unless you just want to teach English. If your goal is a good job in China, you have competition - nearly 200,000 Chinese students return with degrees from overseas universities every year.(Farrar) After studying Chinese for four years in college, a good American student will still talk like a kid; the Chinese start studying English when they are kids. They are fluent in Chinese and they know English. There are a lot of them; they know the culture and they can be hired for less than you can.((Beam) So, knowing Chinese is no longer an added bonus when looking for that perfect job in China - it is a prerequisite.(Farrar)
+*Learn Chinese. The days when you could get a job just by being willing to go to China are long gone. Today, it is not enough to know English - unless you just want to teach English. If your goal is a good job in China, you have competition - every year, nearly 200,000 Chinese students return with degrees from overseas universities.(Farrar) After studying Chinese for four years in college, a good American student will still talk like a kid; the Chinese start studying English when they are kids. They are fluent in Chinese and they know English. There are a lot of them; they know the culture and they can be hired for less than you can.((Beam) So, knowing Chinese is no longer an added bonus when looking for that perfect job in China - it is a prerequisite.(Farrar)
 *Offer a unique skill- something besides speaking Chinese. These days, IT skills or the ability to design a building - or a semiconductor - can give you the edge you are looking for.(Beam) Another suggestion is "green" industry skills. <br/>
-Following are some examples of skills required for work or possessed by those who do work there.<br/>
+Following are some examples of skills required for work or possessed by those who do work in China.<br/>
 ===Examples of skills needed===

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 =What to Look for in a Job=
-Under 30? Look for training opportunities.
+*Under 30? Look for training opportunities.<br/>
-::*Training in China can be haphazard. Look for a job that will give you experience in several fields (like Sales and Marketing). Look for a direct supervisor with a proven track record of success - you want a Mentor. (Rein)<br/>
+Training in China can be haphazard. Look for a job that will give you experience in several fields (like Sales and Marketing). Look for a direct supervisor with a proven track record of success - you want a Mentor. (Rein)<br/>
 *What not to look for? That 6 figure salary.<br/>

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 =What to Look for in a Job=
-::Under 30? Look for training opportunities.
+Under 30? Look for training opportunities.
-:::Training in China can be haphazard. Look for a job that will give you experience in several fields :::(like Sales and Marketing). Look for a direct supervisor with a proven track record of success - you :::want a Mentor. (Rein)<br/>
+::*Training in China can be haphazard. Look for a job that will give you experience in several fields (like Sales and Marketing). Look for a direct supervisor with a proven track record of success - you want a Mentor. (Rein)<br/>
-*What not to look for? That 6 figure salary. In 2009, $800 to $2000 a month was a good salary to shoot for. The ''China Market Research Group'' (in 2009) calculated that $21,000/year allowed you to have about the same kind of lifestyle you'd have in the US with a $60,000/year salary. While the ratio might have changed over the last few years, you will still not be offered as much in China as you would be, for the same job, in the US. Do your homework; check salary ranges before you interview. Make sure you can really live on the salary you can realistically expect to get. (Rein)
+*What not to look for? That 6 figure salary.<br/>
 =So, What do I Need to Get a Job in China?=

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 ==Give yourself plenty of time in China==
-::Don't plan on coming home the same day you finish your last per-scheduled interview. Not many business will hire you after the first interview.<br/>
+::*Don't plan on coming home the same day you finish your last per-scheduled interview. Not many business will hire you after the first interview.<br/>
-::You will also want time for interview or meetings that you set up after you arrive. Don't waste your time sightseeing when you are looking for work on your own dime. There will be time to sight see after you land your job. Stay focused! (Rein)<br/>
+::*You will also want time for interview or meetings that you set up after you arrive.
 [[File:Inside Jing'an District, Shanghai.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Shanghai Jing'an District, photo by Gao Loumi, Public domain, retrieved from Wikimedia Commons. Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inside_Jing%27an_District,_Shanghai.jpg here] for original source.]]

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 At some point, you will have to go to China. But there are some things you can do before you go.
 ==Start right where you are==
-::Get a job and start saving for your job hunting trip. It is really rare, these days, to get an interview offer that comes with plane fare to the company headquarters. Expect to spend time - at least 2 weeks - pounding the pavement and knocking doors in China - all at your own expense. It won't be cheap.(Rein)>br/>
+::*Get a job and start saving for your job hunting trip. It is really rare, these days, to get an interview offer that comes with plane fare to the company headquarters. Expect to spend time - at least 2 weeks - pounding the pavement and knocking doors in China - all at your own expense. It won't be cheap. (Rein)>br/>
-::Call the alumni of your school that you know and ask them if they know anyone in China that they can introduce you to. Introductions from someone the Chinese company knows in the US can really help.(Rein)<br/>
+::*Call the alumni of your school that you know and ask them if they know anyone in China that they can introduce you to. Introductions from someone the Chinese company knows in the US can really help.(Rein)<br/>
-::Arrange for meetings/ interviews in China, before you ever leave home. Try to fill your schedule.(Rein)<br/>
+::*Arrange for meetings/ interviews in China, before you ever leave home. Try to fill your schedule.(Rein)<br/>
-−
 ==Give yourself plenty of time in China==
 ::Don't plan on coming home the same day you finish your last per-scheduled interview. Not many business will hire you after the first interview.<br/>

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 =="Opportunity Knocks", it Isn't Handed to You on a Platter==
-There are opportunities in China. As is true in the US, if you have a good solid goal, and are willing to put in the work required to make it happen, you can succeed. It is easy to get sidetracked or discouraged though. You need to be actively looking for the ''real''opportunities, the ones that will move you toward your goal. If you think that going to China is somehow going to "fix" all you problems with motivation and give you a "cushy" job with a great salary without you even trying- forget it. "You reap what you sow" is as true in China as it anywhere else. so, if you want to work in China, be prepared to ''work''.(Anderson)<br/>
+There are opportunities in China. As is true in the US, if you have a good solid goal, and are willing to put in the work required to make it happen, you can succeed. It is easy to get sidetracked or discouraged though. You need to be actively looking for the ''real'' opportunities, the ones that will move you toward your goal. If you think that going to China is somehow going to "fix" all you problems with motivation and give you a "cushy" job with a great salary without you even trying- forget it. "You reap what you sow" is as true in China as it anywhere else. so, if you want to work in China, be prepared to ''work''.(Anderson)<br/>
 =How to Find a Job in China=

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 [[File:File-Beijing .jpg|400px|thumb|right|Beijing at night, Creative commons, retrieved from Wikimedia Commons. Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:File-Beijing_CBD_2008-6-996735.jpg here] for original source.]]
 =Introduction=
-So, you think you want to work in China? There are a lot of things to consider before you sell your car, pack your bags and buy a plane ticket. Getting hired in China is a lot getting hired in the US; what works here, mostly works there too. And, no, it isn't any easier - it may even be harder. This doesn't mean though, that you shouldn't consider working there. Working in China can offer valuable experience, if you plan ahead and look twice (or even three times!)before you leap. This article will offer some suggestions on what to expect, and what to do, if you are serious about wanting to work in China. <br>
+So, you think you want to work in China? There are a lot of things to consider before you sell your car, pack your bags and buy a plane ticket. Getting hired in China is a lot getting hired in the US; what works here, mostly works there too. And, no, it isn't any easier - it may even be harder. This doesn't mean though, that you shouldn't consider working there. Working in China can offer valuable experience, if you plan ahead and look twice (or even three times!) before you leap. This article will offer some suggestions on what to expect, and what to do, if you are serious about wanting to work in China. <br>
 =What Getting a job in China is not - easy=