In my last article, I discussed the importance of finding not just 'a job in China', but of finding the right job in China. Thousands of foreigners come to China to teach English every year. The majority of these thoroughly enjoy their time in the Middle Kingdom. However, this is often more to do with their social experiences and the fantastic depth of Chinese culture than with them having found the perfect job. For many, their jobs often provide as many obstacles as opportunities.

In many instances, the online recruiting process is an inexact experience. Many schools and recruiters are prepared to bring in teachers based solely on a degree and/or teaching certificate. They often know little about the teacher's personality or plans for their time in China. For many, the whole process is conducted via email without even a phone interview and often through an intermediary such as a recruiter. For a huge number of teachers –particularly those working in public schools – their first meaningful contact with the school is when they arrive. This means that neither the school nor the teacher have significant knowledge of what they are signing up for. This causes plenty of mismatches. Let me give you a few examples of the types of mismatch that are commonly seen.

Back in 2007, I met two teachers in their late twenties from the UK who had taken a break from teaching middle school in the UK to spend a year teaching at a university in Beijing. As well as expanding both their resumes and horizons, they were also looking to enjoy some of Beijing's nightlife. In short, they were looking for a lifestyle similar to the ones they enjoyed back home, but with a mandarin twist. So, they took jobs working together at a campus in the north of the city. The pay and job-description were great, but the apartment the university provided was in the same complex as the university dorms, which closed at 10pm sharp, no exceptions. This put a giant spoke in the wheels of their social life and took months of discussion to ultimately resolve.

Another common area of friction is between some of the major English language training companies and their international hires. This type of company - English First, Aston, Web - often hire on a major scale, casting a wide net across English speaking countries. With hundreds of schools in need of teachers, they will often hire fresh graduates in search of fun and adventure in a distant land. However, companies this size focus on public demand. In most cities, this means classes in the evening or at the weekend, to accommodate children outside school hours and adults after work. In this situation - unlike in public schools - there is no summer break. Therefore, many younger teachers find themselves disillusioned as their international adventure quickly begins to feel like hard work.

The 5 Common Problems
'Mis'-hires in the teaching sector can happen across the country and for varied reasons. However, the majority tend to stem from the initial international hiring that takes place through the internet and over the phone. Below are a few tips on how to improve that process:

1) Shop around: Whilst in smaller rural cities there may not be too many jobs on offer, in the bigger cities on the east coast there are likely to be hundreds. It is always wise to check several recruiting sites to compare contract terms and salaries. Never jump at the first contract on offer.

2) Research the city, not just the job: It is also wise to know as much as possible about the city you are considering making home. This is important because China is a country of some pretty big contrasts, which affects teachers in two ways (i) socially, and (ii) financially. For example, a small industrial city in Shanxi is likely to be far cheaper to live in than Beijing or Shanghai. It is also likely to provide infinitely fewer entertainment options. If the teacher is happy with the quiet life, then fine. If not, they may need to consider somewhere slightly more cosmopolitan. Resources such as eChinacities' City Guides and other expat websites are crucial here.

3) Know how long: Whilst it may be relatively easy to find a job online, it is much easier to find a good job when you are already in China. For this reason, those looking to stay longer than a few months would be well advised to sign-up for a shorter contract and look to switch jobs after this. It is common to see teachers start in public schools or low-end private schools before gravitating towards the bigger private companies and the larger salaries on offer – a transition of public school to low-end language center such as English First or Aston then on to a top end company such as Wall Street happens pretty regularly. Many teachers, after having completed a stint in the 'sticks' or in a smaller city, will also look to move to bigger cities.

4) Clarify the contract: As many schools will often write their contracts in Chinese and then translate them into English later – often not especially clearly – there is significant room for misunderstanding. The golden rule here is never to assume anything. Ensure everything is clear and that you understand every clause; this one may sound like I am stating the blindingly obvious, but as the language levels of those writing the contract are not always particularly high, it is safer to ascertain exactly what they mean.

5) Know the location: Many of China's provinces are the size of small countries. So, ensure you know exactly where your potential employer is located. The same is true of the big cities, particularly the major municipalities of Tianjin, Shanghai and Beijing. You may see the term 'Shanghai' and think of the glitz and glamour of Pudong, but the job may be in distant dusty suburb that bears little resemblance to the image in your head. The contrast between the downtown area of Tianjin and the outlying areas of the municipality is particularly stark.
 

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