Typical Jobs for Foreigners in China

Many people believe that China is one of the few countries in the world where employees from other countries are not only tolerated but really flourish. Up until the past decade or two, the only genuine options for foreign employees in China were in the industrial sector and teaching English. On the other hand, in today's contemporary world, businesses are increasingly looking for talent from a broader variety of sources.

English Language Teacher

Many non-native speakers of Chinese gain entry into the country by working as English language teachers. Depending on how formally you want to teach English, different requirements may apply to you. Anything from being a fluent English speaker with a college degree and IELTS certification to being a random foreigner whose kid needs additional support in school and being recognized on the street might qualify. Truth tends to go more toward the former, therefore individuals who are serious about applying for an English teaching position in China should do the same.

English instructors in China may find themselves with limited options for the future. Only a tiny fraction of teachers ever go on to create their own successful schools. What teaching English does, however, is provide foreigners with a foothold in China from which they can explore the country, pick up the language, and develop the contacts necessary to transition into a field with less restrictions on upward mobility.

International School Teacher

While the bulk of Chinese educators are working as English language instructors, many international schools in China's Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities also employ a sizeable number of teachers who specialize in other topics. These educators serve students in grades ranging from primary through high school. American, Canadian, and British curricula are the norm in most schools.

The majority of these institutions want to employ educators with a Bachelor's degree and at least a few years of experience in the classroom. Therefore, most of their hires come straight from other countries. However, foreigners currently living in China may find employment at international schools even if they do not have a degree in teaching, provided they are willing to relocate.

Some foreign institutions are prepared to recruit native English speakers who can demonstrate a commitment to teaching, familiarity with the local culture, and dependability in the workplace. Even if you have to start off in a lower-paying support function than your more qualified coworkers, this is a fantastic way to break into a better salary bracket and launch a potentially lifelong career.

QA Specialist / Product Manager

Many of today's high-ranking manufacturing managers at multinational corporations in China got their start in the industry as English instructors, a fact that may come as a surprise to some readers.

Western corporations had a hard time finding qualified individuals to manage their factories in China until the last ten to fifteen years. Few were interested in staying longer than a week, and fewer yet could communicate effectively with local staff members due to language and cultural barriers.

Companies were prepared to take a chance on young foreign English instructors who were already living in China and spoke the language, despite the fact that they had neither a degree in the field nor experience working in it. It would be really helpful to have someone there who could talk to the supplier and the local workers face to face.

Despite the fact that China's industrial boom isn't what it was a decade ago, many businesses still recognize the importance of a foreigner who has acclimated to the local culture, learned the local language, and shown the proper work ethic.