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Posts: 7

Minor Official

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Q: What to Know Before Applying to Work in China?

Hi Everyone, 

 

I am 25 years old and i do not have much  professional experience except for 1 year as a sales export specialist in Frozen Foods.

 

I heard many things about the opportunities in working in China and I am preparing myself to intensively search for jobs in China. However, I know the competition is extreme and most of the aopplicants aside of me will be having more work experience and skills.

 

What do i need to do to increase my value for employers to take notice of me and What jobs in the Sales and Amrketing field do you recommend for fresh graduates wanting to work internationally. 

 

I dont know if this is needed but I hold a Yemen passport so travelling is extremely difficult and I need to apply for jobs who are willing to provide a work visa. I am currently on my semester for My Masters so I want to start fresh adn focus on my career after studies. 

 

Thank you for your time and any advice will be appreciated! 

 

1 year 49 weeks ago in  Business & Jobs - China

 
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Sorry but you sound like you are on the verge of making a terrible life decision. 

China is rapidly becoming a terrible place to live as a foreigner. Unless you have a big company behind you with a huge amount of investment, it is gradually becoming even more inhospitable by the day. This manifests itself at the person, business and government level. There is a total and utter absence of good local opportunities on the ground. Just be clear, I am British caucaisan (this does not matter to me, but matters to them) English Native speaker, I hold degrees from Sheffield and Nottingham Universities in Computer Science. I speak Mandarin to HSK Level 6. There are absolutely zero jobs in Shanghai. More or less the only foreigners still there were all sent to China from places like Germany, Switzerland and the US. Everyone else is teaching English - and increasingly these foreigners are waning as China enters a preiod of isolationism. Young Chinese parents are increasingly aware that there are millions of Chinese who speak flawless English - and they would much rather their children be taught by Chinese as Mainland Chinese are borering on the most racist I have ever encountered. 

Even English those coming to teach English are being constantly subjected to appaling abuse (wage theft, erratic and constant visa refusals for no reason, employers refusing to allow employees to change jobs by sabotaging work permit applications). 

Anyone with any interest in doing anything other than teaching English stands almost zero chance of finding anything on the ground, especially with no experience. 

China is for the Chinese. You cannot get a mortgage, buy a house, ever get a green card or settle. It is a nationalsit and racist society through and through. You would be better of trying to emigrate somewhere that welcomes immigrants, like the US or Canada. 

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1 year 48 weeks ago
 
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I can't comment on your job prospects but something very important to know is that the borders are currently closed to most foreigners due to covid restrictions.

 

Trying to get a job while that is still the case is going to be near impossible.

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1 year 49 weeks ago
 
Posts: 548

Shifu

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Stiggs is absolutely correct. 

 

I am not sure that you would qualify for a work visa. I suggest you look at those requirements, and see if you match all that is required for the work visa, as well as the residents permit. 

 

As of now (April 2022), you have very, very little chance since you are not inside of China right now. 

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1 year 49 weeks ago
 
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Thank you very much Stiggs and nashboroguy for both of your feedbacks.

 

I will wait until borders are open and hopefully apply again then. 

 

This is just a general question if anyone has a rough idea but is there a certain job market in China that is highly popular aside of teaching English?  

 

Anyway thank you again for the advice, I will be sure to keep it to mind. 

Stiggs:

Aside from teaching foreigners are usually either working at foreign companies or if they work in a Chinese company they'll have an in-demand skill that can't be found easily in China.In your situation you could probably try reaching out to import / export companies, maybe you'll be able to use your previous experience to land a job.

 

 

 

 

1 year 49 weeks ago
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1 year 49 weeks ago
 
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One should worry about the lockdowns in China 'cause new Omicron or something ...

Shanghai, Shenzhen ... as it looks all cities with S-beginning. have a new Cofid outbreak with the lockdown imposed.

 

You should read it quickly 'cause Admin is steadily deleting all posts about fresh Cofid outbreaks in China ...sad

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/22/china-locks-down-city-of-9...

China has locked down an industrial city of 9 million people overnight and reported more than 4,000 virus cases, as the nation’s “zero-Covid” strategy is confronted by an Omicron wave.

 

"Pushed To The Brink Of Collapse": Leaked Recording Of Shanghai CDC Expert Describes Chaos Behind Lockdown Measures

 

Shanghai Residents Rebel As Cases Surge, Lockdown Extended 'Indefinitely' 

 

"...control your soul’s desire for freedom. Do not open the window or sing.”

 

https://zeenews.india.com/world/travel-bans-and-lockdowns-in-china-as-co...

In view of the pandemic situation, the Chinese authorities have imposed travel bans and lockdowns in several provinces and cities. The situation in more than 20 provinces and cities including Jilin, Hebei, Guangdong, and Shanghai has deteriorated.

 

You can get more info about new lockdowns in China from any of the search engines ...

Raybatais:

I heard about the lockdowns about i did not know it was to this level.. I hope everyone there are safe and hopefully the situation calms down soon. Thank you for the advice, I will be sure to search more about the situation in china regularly.

1 year 49 weeks ago
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icnif77:

Yeah, it's quite tricky with Cofid in China. They pursue and implement zero-Cofid policy, so cities lock-downs happened on the regular basis.

Make sure, you'll clear with your employer what will happen to you in case of new lock-down will happen in your city during your employment.

They'll probably say, they don't know, but IMO, for you the most important part is about receiving of the salaries while not working and remaining in China in case of the new outbreak. You should demand employer includes the matters about future lock-downs considering your employment into the Contract!

Never trust or believe to employer's verbal promises in China!

Good luck!

1 year 49 weeks ago
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1 year 49 weeks ago
 
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Ask yourself, are you ready for challenges?

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1 year 49 weeks ago
 
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As Stiggs pointed out, China's borders are closed at the moment. I recommend that you take this time as an opportunity to build or strengthen your network in China.

Take some time to visit virtual trade shows and learn a bit of Chinese

 

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1 year 48 weeks ago
 
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Sorry but you sound like you are on the verge of making a terrible life decision. 

China is rapidly becoming a terrible place to live as a foreigner. Unless you have a big company behind you with a huge amount of investment, it is gradually becoming even more inhospitable by the day. This manifests itself at the person, business and government level. There is a total and utter absence of good local opportunities on the ground. Just be clear, I am British caucaisan (this does not matter to me, but matters to them) English Native speaker, I hold degrees from Sheffield and Nottingham Universities in Computer Science. I speak Mandarin to HSK Level 6. There are absolutely zero jobs in Shanghai. More or less the only foreigners still there were all sent to China from places like Germany, Switzerland and the US. Everyone else is teaching English - and increasingly these foreigners are waning as China enters a preiod of isolationism. Young Chinese parents are increasingly aware that there are millions of Chinese who speak flawless English - and they would much rather their children be taught by Chinese as Mainland Chinese are borering on the most racist I have ever encountered. 

Even English those coming to teach English are being constantly subjected to appaling abuse (wage theft, erratic and constant visa refusals for no reason, employers refusing to allow employees to change jobs by sabotaging work permit applications). 

Anyone with any interest in doing anything other than teaching English stands almost zero chance of finding anything on the ground, especially with no experience. 

China is for the Chinese. You cannot get a mortgage, buy a house, ever get a green card or settle. It is a nationalsit and racist society through and through. You would be better of trying to emigrate somewhere that welcomes immigrants, like the US or Canada. 

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1 year 48 weeks ago
 
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I admire your enthusiasm about getting a job in China. I had worked 25 years in China as a Consultant Builder and had moved from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and back to Beijing. 

 

Back 25 years ago when I arrived in China, they welcome us, Foreigners with open arms, asking us 'to teach them how to build a better world for everyone in the world'. I had embarked into a journey to improve their society for a better standard of living. Teaching them from Languages to Construction, Planning and Technology. I had seen China developed day by day to today where China is by their Chinese definition: "Strong and Well developed'.

 

However, having said that, I had agreed that China had growth a lot from 25 years ago, but their inner self have not. Today the people seem to think that they are Big, Strong, and Technologically advance so that it is time to Kick out their competitors especially those who had come to China to earn their money, ate their food, and even marry their citizens to make a family there. This is call invasion of our land! There is a saying going around the Chinese is that: "You Foreigners think that you are very smart and intelligent? Coming to China to try and get a piece of our wealth? I am sorry, we are now very strong and prosperous, we do not need you Foreigners anymore! So get out of our country and never come back! In fact, we are so smart that we can even go to your country and teach you back! You want to invade us by coming here? We'll show you what is invasion!" 

 

The real considerations for a foreigner seeking employment in China.

1) If you are a Professional in any field, you must have experience and be a recognized expert in your industry. This can be verified on Chinese social media. 

2) If you are a Professional in any field, you must be 35 years old and below. Because China believes in Young talents. (Don't have to tell you how this is controversial to No.1 above.)

3) You must have the intention to migrate to China using all your live savings with a minimum of 3 million RMB.

4) You must give up all your Culture from your homeland and adapt to the Chinese culture.

5) The country may be very ‘advance’ technologically wise but still is lacking a lot infrastructurally. A discussion on this topic with the Chinese (who all are Patriotic) will leads to their endless debate about what other countries are doing with topics or events that are totally not related to this topic. The common Chinese sales technics of “If you cannot convince them, confused them.”

6) You must accept that China has lots of Freedom of speech but must be responsible to every word you had said and have substantial facts and evidence to prove to the National Security when you are 'called up' for questioning.

7) And of course, all the above posts about why you shouldn't or will be unable to apply to work in China at this moment. Basically, China is now closed to outside world because of the zero tolerance to covid. Covid is a virus whom foreigners had brought to China and now is blaming China for manufacturing the virus inland. To prove that this is true, we Chinese stands united in fighting this virus by first cleansing our land off all these foreign murders.

8) If you are thinking of going to China to make a few bucks and retire back to your homeland later, forget it! Money is not easy for working class regardless of whether you are Chinese or Foreigners. For Foreigners, now the foreign exchange laws disallow direct money transfers in or out of China. All such transfers are subjected to application approvals from the government bureau of finance where first you must produce the relevant documents proving that your money is coming  from a legitimate source in other words, they are tax duty paid.

9) Working Visas: China has a very comprehensive systems of travel visa approvals. I wouldn’t say it is difficult but I would say it is very complicated bureaucracy way of handling the process which is not necessary bad but the fact that most of the processes documentation are written in Chinese and translated into English using translation software developed in China.     

 

To work in China or not. If after all the above information above you are still determined to work in China, I will wishing Good luck and also advice you to make a longer time-frame for all the applications.

 

Ciao!

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1 year 48 weeks ago
 
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Thank you very much @Hubertbristow and @AceGallant for your advices and sharing your experience.

 

I fully understood what you both have mentioned. The job market aside of teaching English is practically non existent. You both must have experienced a lot of things but I hope you learned a lot there as well. Of course I wont travel to China without securing a Job beforehand, there is too much to risk travelling and hoping ot find a job while staying there. I have a few connections with some employers in Guangzhou and Beijing as China is one of the largest improters in Frozen Foods so due to my current experience I was able to create a few contacts. However, I have yet to fully converse with them regarding this matter. i though I would fully study ths before execution.

 

I understand my decision is rash but currently my main concern or push you could say is my residence permit. I have been going from place to place not because I can, but i must. Holding a passport of a country which economically collapsed bears a lot of restrictions. So far I have been lucky to travel to certain countries under educational visas but I am worried of whats next. Where to go? Which place will allow me to stay and will have a good future?

 

My objective is residency first, savings later. Of course Money is important but if I am able to earn enough to live I will be happy. I will definetely work to aim higher but I am looking for something low to step on at the moment.

 

I think i went off topic and Im sorry, what i mean to say is though China has extreme conditions, it holds a lot of possibilities when it comes to learning. Everything will go through China in any Job department and If im able to get 2-3 years worth of experience it will be worthwhile in the future.

 

I would like to know that was your experience there worth it in terms of working experience? Have you learned more there than anywhere else? 

 

Thank you again!

        

Stiggs:

Good luck mate, I hope it works out for you.

1 year 46 weeks ago
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Blondie_:

if you have been traveling to countries on an 'education' visa, you should consider the possibility that on arrival in any new country you may be considered to have breached visa conditions if you have worked on a 'no work allowed' visa.

 

be VERY careful on which visa you enter any country.

I know Australia for one conisder any minor violations of visa conditions in other countries as a grounds for deportation and China are even less tolerant.

There are easier countries to live and work in and as you are unlikely with your level of experience to land a decent paying job, especially as the Chinese relish exploiting foreign workers who are not either wealthy or well connected.

I wish you all the best, but governments across the world are intent on really screwing over all ordianry people at the moment 

 

 

1 year 46 weeks ago
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Raybatais:

Thank you @Stiggs! @Blondie_: Yes, I have been travelling mostly under education visa purposes so far under different community scholarships. I tried searching for Visa-on arrival countries however the list is basically countries under a similar situation where I am from. I will just work on myself and apply for Jobs until I luckily land on one meeting all the necessary requirements. Thank you for you advice and I wish you all the best!

1 year 46 weeks ago
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1 year 46 weeks ago
 
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Also, applying for a Visa and getting a company to apply for a work visa is extremely difficulty.  Many companies want to hire foreigners already in China bc of the easier visa process.  Those who are not in China, it can take months and it is a headache, as the HR will ask for so many documents, that require notarlization.

Stiggs:

"Many companies want to hire foreigners already in China bc of the easier visa process"

 

They have to hire from within because the borders are closed due to the pandemic.

1 year 46 weeks ago
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1 year 46 weeks ago
 
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I think all of the advice and counsel has been provided by this wonderful people so the ball is in your court take a decision

Raybatais:

Yup! Everyone was nice and their advices from each individuals perspective helped me a lot.

1 year 41 weeks ago
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1 year 43 weeks ago
 
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A: In my personal experience, teaching certificates have varied in releva
A:In my personal experience, teaching certificates have varied in relevance depending on the context and location. Here's a breakdown of each aspect:a) Getting the teaching job: Teaching certificates can certainly enhance your chances of securing a teaching position, especially in formal educational settings such as schools and language institutions. Many employers prefer candidates who have undergone specific training in pedagogy and instructional techniques, which these certificates often provide. However, other factors such as experience, references, and the demand for teachers in a particular area also play significant roles in the hiring process.b) Getting a higher salary than your uncertified competitors: In some cases, holding a teaching certificate can indeed lead to a higher salary compared to uncertified competitors. Many educational institutions have structured salary scales that take into account factors such as level of education, years of experience, and additional certifications. Holding a teaching certificate may place you in a higher salary bracket or make you eligible for certain salary incentives or bonuses. However, this can vary widely depending on the specific policies of the institution or organization.c) Getting promotions: Teaching certificates can be beneficial for career advancement and securing promotions within the field of education. They demonstrate a commitment to professional development and mastery of teaching skills, which are qualities that many employers value when considering candidates for leadership positions or administrative roles. Additionally, some promotions may require specific certifications or qualifications, making holding a teaching certificate essential for advancement in certain cases.Regarding which certificate yields better results, it largely depends on the specific requirements of the job market and the educational context in which you intend to work. For example:A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is often highly regarded in formal school settings and can be advantageous for those seeking positions in primary or secondary education.Montessori certification is valuable for individuals interested in working in Montessori schools or implementing Montessori principles in their teaching approach.A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate is particularly relevant for those seeking to teach English to non-native speakers in international contexts or language schools.Ultimately, the best certificate for you will depend on your career goals, the specific requirements of the positions you're interested in, and the preferences of potential employers in your target job market. It's essential to research the requirements and preferences of employers in your desired field and tailor your qualifications accordingly. -- ruqaiya761