Foreigners may feel intimidated while visiting the Middle Kingdom. However, despite the language barrier, the cultural differences, and anything else that could stand in the way, many foreigners discover that it is possible to obtain work and advance their careers in China.
Explore China Job Application
Keep in mind that China has severe regulations on the types of foreigners who may lawfully get work visas and hence work there. If you are applying for a job in the United States from abroad, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree from your native country evaluated and verified. It’s going to be tough to get a legal job in China without this.
A non-criminal background check and, in most situations, letters of recommendation from previous employers are also necessary. It’s not easy to secure a work visa, and the restrictions are often shifting. Above all else, be sure your prospective employer is prepared to jump through the hoops required to get you the proper visa to work in China.
Career Education
Many people who want to establish themselves professionally in China enter the workforce by teaching English to speakers of other languages. Having prior teaching experience would undoubtedly help your application. Likewise, proficiency in English as a Second Language (ESL) will be required. With that said, the CELTA is expensive and should only be considered if you want to teach English as a foreign language for an extended period of time. If not, you can always look into a different inexpensive TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certification. If you are not committed to teaching English as a second language as a career, the latter might be preferable.
The next logical concern is how to get started in the ESL workforce. Numerous online resources exist to help those interested in becoming ESL instructors find jobs. University and public school jobs, for example, may only need two days of labor per week (for the former) but also tend to pay little and provide few advancement prospects. Think about what you would do with your time if you were to accept one of these jobs. Learning Chinese or finding freelance employment are both viable options that might help you advance in your chosen field.
Work Outside the Classroom
Other than teaching English as a second language (ESL), job-seekers in China may find fewer opportunities for entry-level work in other sectors. Companies all around China, but especially in the major economic hubs of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, are always looking for qualified native English speakers to proofread and edit their English-language materials. Retail websites, blogs, and print periodicals are all examples.
Similarly to the English language, most businesses are ready to hire inexperienced candidates for most jobs. Like with English as a Second Language, however, you may want to think about getting some practice in first. Having a blog or examples of freelance writing work in English handy is a good idea when applying for projects like these. Make sure there are no typos or grammatical mistakes in your resume by reading it aloud and checking it again. Making mistakes on a resume for a position that requires editing English will not seem good. (Tips for Writing a Successful CV in English)