The recruiters here, as a whole, are terrible.  They have no follow-up skills at all. 

Normally, the process is this: You send them you CV.  Then nothing.

The problem is, that one recruiter can be handling 100's of jobs at the same time.  So they get 10's of thousands of CVs.  They will only sift through the CVs for the jobs that will pay them the biggest bonus.  The others are pretty much ignored unless they are really bored and trying to reach their monthly target.  (Also, they may not even be able to READ an English CV. So they will have no idea what job you are applying for, or if you are even qualified.)

A better way is to see if you can contact the recruiter through Skype.  If they take the time to talk to you, then your chances of having something done for you are increased 100 fold.

Another good route is to try and find an expat site focused on your city of choice and get to know the expats there.  Some of them might be willing to hand your CV directly to schools that they work at.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Expat John, you're a real gentleman. Helps a lot.

hey David!

I left from Melbourne as well, intending to go to Kunming, but I couldn't get what I wanted there. You're right - there's not a lot of jobs out that way. But then, it might also depend on what you're looking for - I was only after uni level students. I was only really seeing stuff for kids in kindies. At least, in that respect, I did get a phone interview with an English guy (too bad the ads - and he - didn't outline the age levels very clearly prior to the phone call :( ).

I strongly suggest you get the Z visa dealt with before you get here. Make sure it's in the contract. Too many dodgey outfits will sting you, and you'll end up working illegally - which really stuffs you for options later when it really goes sour (ie, no pay, and worsening conditions).

As John said, get onto the expat forums, and post there. Usually <city>expat.com, or similar.

You are also aware that Yunnan pays quite a bit less than other provinces - yes?? (may not mean a lot to you, but it depends on your reasons for being there, and what you're leaving behind...).

BTW - yes, you should be able to get the Z while you're here... if it's all above board!

Hey shining brow, thanks for the feedback.
I have until May to get a job, so I have a little bit of time up my sleeve, so hopefully something suitable will come up. I will take both yours and John's advice to post on expat sites. Gokunming seems to be pretty good, so I will post one there.

Would be much easier if I could go over with a Z visa, sigh..,but if it's not possible, I will go on an L visa and just go visit the schools whilst over there.

I'm not expecting huge dollars, I'm doing teaching for the experience  and it's a means till I get my feet on the ground to look for more lucrative long term opportunities. No disrespect to teaching, I will of course give it my best, and invest 100% in it,  but it's not a career move by any stretch.

I have my own recruitment company in Melbourne, specialising in property and real estate, so it will be a financial backflip.

In saying that I do have my reasons for going to China.
My fiance is also from Melbourne and has family in Kunming, so other cities aren't an option.

Anyway, let's see what happens.
Hope youre enjoying China life.

Cheers.

Just a question: is there a specific reason why you decided to go the recruiter route? The reason I ask is because i see plenty of offerings advertised on sites like this one in the classified section.

I specifically wanted a school in Changsha. The first one I contacted was not up to par, and decided to go with the second schhol. That was back in 2009 when I got hired, and the paper work was sent to me at the begining of the Spring Holiday, so...I never got it (I waited two weeks and was running out of time to start the March Semester). I had already been in negotiations with the school, and had the job. The paper work, however, was necessary for me to get the Z Visa in order to work (which I wanted to have before I left the States). I already had an L Visa in my passport, as I had planned to do some visiting.

Anyway, on the advice of the school, I came to China on the L Visa, we waited for the paper work to be offically lost in transit, and then the Province issued me new paper work, I went to Hong Kong on a three day trip, got the Z Visa, and only started about 1 week late. A little convoluted, I know, but that was my experience.

In general, there are a lot of hoops to jump through, but that is the process of dealing with offical agencies. Best to be patient, do the jumping, and after that, it's pretty much smooth sailing. Just do your homework.

It also helps to network and talk to people online if you know someone in china then they can help look into things for you and tell you if you’re doing something wrong it is hard to get work otherwise. 

there may have some trouble , i came in china with L visa later changed it into z visa by employer, i ve been here for 2.5 years in teaching positions , most of the recuitors are not providing well opportunities, it's hard to find the right place for job, i may help in your condition if you are asutralian national willing to come in china, skype  is : john_panta,  yahoo is: sharoj_bhai, hotmail is : kabshapnt,

Dear David,  
  I have experienced the same attitude from recruiters. Honestly after four months of useless energy dedicated to writing of individual cover letters and sending resumes, CV, I finally gave up. I have degree from English and Chinese Philology and also studied Chinese in China but that does not count for "recruiters". And those who contacted me with a particular offer, suggested quite bitter contracts (working hours from Mo-Sun, from 7:30-21:30, irregular time which suits the school, salary 4500-5000RMB that is pretty poor salary in combination of 6-10kRMB that you can earn in China, etc. etc.)
To sum up, I have been told by some friends in China that it is much more convenient to look for job directly in China. Nevertheless the tricky communication with recruiters, good luck