Having doubts
Applying for jobs and getting rejected is disheartening and stressful, but, so it seems, is actually getting offered them too.
Got offered a job in China, but it seems a bit dubious. Here are the reasons why.
1. The only questions I got asked were: Have you been to China before? What age group do you want to teach? How soon can you get here? They didn’t even ask if I spoke Chinese or Mandarin.
2. The emails I’ve had have all been brief, and not very business like. While I’ve been deliberating about it for a few days I got one just saying: “We really hope you to come to teach adults at XXX XXXX XXXX Centre very soon.” Sounds a bit desperate to me.
3. The contract says I get my own accommodation, but not the airfare. The contract also goes on to say that if I fail to file a lesson plan, can’t teach for some reason, or leave my room in a mess(!!), I will get fined. If I get “drunk, addicted, or eccentric” (yes, that is an actual quote from the contract) I get fired.
4. They suggest I get a tourist visa, and will apparently square all the paperwork to get me a working visa and registered as a foreign expert with the government. Leaves me at their mercy somewhat.
5. The pay is less than I got as a barman, and only about what I get now.
6. 1 week holiday if I teach for a full year.
7. If I offer “similar teaching services” during or up to 2 years (!!) after my employment, I pay them compensation.
8. If I fail to show respect for China, or its culture or tradition I get fired. Probably shot too.
9. The Principle has accidentally given two, very different, names for the school
10. Just plain getting bad vibes.
What do the Blog monkeys think? Good job? Entrapment to a life of male prostitution and beard pornography? Take it, or count myself lucky that I didn’t?
Peace - 10 point list style stolen from the marvelous Emma’s blog. Can be found at …
