Hi!  I’m sorry if some of these questions have been asked before but I would appreciate some advice.  I would really like to move to China and work at a non-teaching job.  I have nothing against teaching, as I taught English in Taiwan for several years and enjoyed it, but I’m interested in doing something else.

In the U.S. I have mostly worked in the hospitality industry, doing some marketing and a lot of guest relations type work.  So I have mostly been applying to anything in customer service, plus anything else I can find that relates to my previous experience.  I speak OK Chinese, but not at a near-native level or anything.

Initially I was pretty hopeful because a lot of employers responded to my applications or inquiries right away, but as soon as they realized I was not already in China (I was VERY clear about this on my resume and cover letters, but apparently multiple employers still missed it), they stopped talking to me.

Is it hopeless to think I could find a job from the U.S.?

If I came over on a tourist visa and looked would that help or would it just be asking for trouble?

Are there any internship placement companies that are worthwhile? I would pay for a 3 or 4 month internship if the placement service were legit and the cost not too high, AND if I thought I could find a full-time job afterwards.  Is any bit of that scenario realistic?

Any other advice?

Thanks so much.