Taking a job in China is nothing if not exciting, but the same as any big move, careful consideration is needed before diving in. In this article, I bring you six things to consider before taking a job in China, from research, where you will have to obtain a visa.

1. He knows it's the right job for you

Before taking a job in China, consider if the right job and industry for you. You may see working in China as a way to travel to a new place, learn a new language and experience a new culture. These are all wonderful reasons to come, but remember that most of the time you will also have to ... you guessed it ... work.

With that in mind, make sure that you are taking a job that is right for you. Prior to applying for jobs as an English teacher in China, for example, I found freelance work as a business English teacher online adult students in France and Germany. If you're new to an industry or role, occasionally such experience can help determine if the job you are considering is right for you.

This is doubly important to do a job in China, as if you realize the role is not for you after your arrival, changing jobs can be difficult and even more difficult changing industries. Ask anyone who has had to transfer their visa and work permit Chinese residence to a new employer. And if you decide to pack up and go home in mid-contract, which probably goes without saying that the experience failed in China will be costly in more ways than one.

2. Research where you want to live

Outside of work, think about where you want to be. After all, if this meeting the employment contract, which will be the home for at least a year, possibly longer. first-tier cities of China in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen foreign Take advantage of a cosmopolitan lifestyle with western bars and restaurants galore. Second and third tier cities, however, may offer a more authentic and immersive, Chinese experience with fewer English-speaking and access to local culture.

Also do not forget to consider the weather as it varies greatly across the vast country that is China. If you like warm weather, consider applying for work in southern China. If you like winter sports, consider Beijing and other cities in northern China.

3. Research your prospective employer

Post a job with a salary of fat and great benefits is easy. Delivery it is a bit more difficult. Research your prospective employer is therefore crucial before taking a job in China.

There are some simple ways you can do this. The most obvious is to do a quick search on Google. If the results include a charge of previous negative experiences employees, the company should probably be avoided. If you're applying for teaching jobs in China, as most of you undoubtedly are, check out the blacklist and ESL TEFL clock, which include teachers 'horror stories' and they say that employers avoid.

Another way to check the legitimacy of their employer is asking to be put in contact with other employees, perhaps other expatriates and their experience can be closer to yours than local Chinese staff. If you are willing to help you with this or you have not used any other foreigner, this should be a warning sign

One last thing :. Remind employers avoid requiring any payment before starting work. There are plenty of stalls of fake jobs in China simply looking to scam money from naive to potential migrants.

4. Be prepared for your interview

Remember that the fundamentals of job interviews: dress to impress (the interviewer can still be seen, or at the least the head and shoulders in a Skype video call or WeChat) and ask questions that you are interested in the job.

Note that if you are applying for a teaching job in China, you can ask of teaching a lesson drill. To this end, make sure you have the materials and / or a mini-lesson plan prepared. You may also be asked on how to deal with certain situations, as a student who does not behave or father who are satisfied with their child's progress (or lack thereof).

Before the interview, think too much about what you want to work in China. Do not be afraid to say you want to see a new country, experience a new culture, learn Mandarin Chinese, etc. This suggests that employers who are open minded and ready to live in China for at the least one year or more. After all, no employer wants to take a foreigner who realizes that hate everything about China as soon as they arrive. This only would create an administrative headache for employers, since they would have to go through the long process of hiring again.

5. Insist on a Z visa -

You should also make sure that your employer will get a Z visa, a legal requirement for foreigners to work in China. Try to confirm this if you have an interview, but avoid asking "Do I get a Z-visa?" Instead ask questions like: "How long does it take to process my Z-visa?" Or "I could provide a list of documents need to provide in order to get my Z-visa? "This shows that you are assuming that will provide aa work visa as fact.

Again, do some online research to try to determine the history of the employer in this and will accept nothing less than a work visa before arrival in mainland China. Your employer may be willing to bring China with a tourist visa promise to apply for a work visa once you are here because it is easier for them. But be under no illusion. It will not speed up the process and can not work legally in China in any other type of visa.

6. Be prepared to wait

offered him a job in China. Congratulations! Now the real fun begins applying for visa. At a minimum, your employer must request a copy of your college degree and a criminal background check. They both need to be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his country of origin and their nearest Chinese embassy, ​​which takes time and money. They can also ask for reference letters from previous employers and a note from the doctor who is so as to show the work.

For your Z-visa is likely to take at the least two months, and do not be surprised if your employer asks you to provide more documents halfway through the process. Chinese visa rules are constantly changing and may also differ between cities.

While the whole thing can be hard and sometimes frustrating, is once again worth emphasizing a Z-visa is the only way for expatriates to work legally in China. Again, the employer may want to bring China into another visa, as it makes it easier for them, but this puts you as an employee in a very difficult situation. If asked to work during this transition period, you will be working illegally and without any legal rights as an employee. Think of what would, for example, if your employer refuses to pay his salary. Do not be tempted by the fact that other visas (as an L-visa for tourism) take less time to process.

Before taking a job in China, you have to sit and have a long hard think about whether is right for you. Among the hassle of processing visa and settling in a new place, you may wonder if it's all worth it. But remember the benefits they can get: work experience, money and the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture and language. Also remember that thousands of foreigners coming to China for work each year. You can be sure that you are not alone if the whole thing every time you feel a little daunting.

Categories:
Beijing,  Guangzhou,  Shenzhen,  Shanghai,  English-speaking, 

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