How To Get An Expat Job In China

For those who are unfamiliar with the region, the Middle Kingdom might be intimidating. However, many expatriates discover that despite cultural differences, language barriers, and other roadblocks, it is possible to find work and advance your career in China.

These pointers can help you get a job and establish yourself as an expat in China.

The Fundamentals: What You Should Know

It's important to know that China has tight rules on which expatriates are allowed to work there legally, so check to see whether you qualify before you apply for your first job in China. In general, job applicants from outside the nation require a home country-accredited BA undergraduate degree. If you don't have this, working legally in China will be quite tough for you.

A verified non-criminal background check, reference letters from previous employers, and a slew of additional documentation are also often required. Obtaining a work visa may be time-consuming, and regulations are often revised. Above all, be certain that your prospective employer is prepared to go through the appropriate steps to ensure that you have the right visa to work in China before signing any contracts with them..

Finding Your First Job is the First Step in Your Professional Career

Jobs in Education

Teaching English as a second language (ESL) is a popular option for job seekers looking to get into the China market. You will have an edge over other applicants if you have some teaching experience. Qualifications in English as a second language (ESL) will follow. If you want to teach English as a second language for the foreseeable future, the CELTA is an excellent investment, despite its expensive cost. The alternative is to get a cheaper TEFL certificate, which will allow you to teach English as a foreign language. If you're not sure about a long-term career in ESL, this is a viable alternative.

That leaves the issue of where to look for ESL employment. The internet provides a profusion of recruiting portals for ESL instructors. University and public school positions provide flexible working hours (the former as little as 2 days per week), but they are also low-paying with little prospects for advancement and professional development. If you're thinking about applying for one of these roles, you should consider how you'll make use of all that extra time. It's a viable alternative if you want to study a new language or work as a freelancer while advancing your profession.

Other occupations include those in training centers i.e. after school and weekend English lessons. Job opportunities may be found all around China with large corporations like Education First (EF) and Meten International (MET). Working hours are limited since you will be required to teach in the evenings on weekdays as well as all day on weekends. You will also be expected to teach additional sessions throughout the summer and winter breaks. On the plus side, there are possibilities to advance in your job as a result. In the case of EF, for example, instructors may occupy managerial roles inside a school and subsequently work in their Shanghai main office in recruiting, course design or a variety of other fields.

Jobs That Do Not Involve Teaching

Employment seekers may discover various possibilities for their first job in China other than ESL, but in less numbers than in the United States or the United Kingdom. There is a high need for native English speakers to proofread and edit English-language material in China's first-tier cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Listed products may be found on shopping websites, blogs, and publications, to name a few examples.

Employers, like ESL instructors, are often open to hiring people with little or no experience. However, just like with ESL, it's a good idea to have some work experience before you apply. For these sorts of jobs, it's a good idea to demonstrate your proficiency in written English by submitting a blog or previous freelance writing projects. Also, make certain your resume is free of spelling and grammatical mistakes by proofreading and double-checking it. Applicants who make mistakes while applying for jobs that need them to fix English will lose out on the position.