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flipside
Newbie
Joined: Oct 29, 2007
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Oct 29, 2007 - 04:41 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Look for job b4 move, or Move b4 look for job |
Hey,
I'm seriously considering moving to Shanghai.
I would like to ask you guys which is the best strategy:
- look for a job from my country (Canada) and then move after getting an "invite" (z-visa...)
OR
- move to Shanghai and start looking for a job there (on a tourist L visa), then get an invite and apply for the z-visa
I guess there are pros and cons for each.
Your opinions will be really appreciated!
Flipside |
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ThomasCaron
Rocker
Joined: Dec 11, 2006
Posts: 619
Location: Shanghai
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Oct 29, 2007 - 06:19 AM |
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Greetings. Like you, I elected to come to Shanghai (as opposed to being assigned here), because I think it's the most exciting place in the world to be today, and I haven't been disappointed. There are many on this web site who would disagree with that assessment. Have you been to Shanghai before? Have you ever been to China? If not, I would recommend coming here to do some recon first. Get a feel for the city and where you might like to live. Set up some interviews in advance. If you can return home with a job in your pocket, you can better plan for the contingencies of living here. Barring that, you'll have a better feel for what suits you best if you choose to hunt for a job on-line. Cheers. |
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me_myself_&_i
Reacher
Joined: Oct 15, 2007
Posts: 244
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 07:32 AM |
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what job are you looking for?
are you a manager or something that they will need here?
what can you bring to china that will land you a job if you are looking for one when you are in china?
you can always look in your country then make a choice.
you will see what are the possibilities from there, then you can also come visit shanghai if you never came before to see what the city looks like.
read a lot of the things that people wrote on this forum to give you a little bit of information to start.
many people came in shanghai and find the job they wanted.
on the other hand you also have many people coming in shanghai with nothing and ended up with and english teaching job because this is the only thing they could find since they did not speak the language and the job opportunities for them was very limited for what they had to offer.
tricky cituation i hope you can make a good/right decision.
good luck. |
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flipside
Newbie
Joined: Oct 29, 2007
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 08:30 AM |
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Thanks for your answers!
| Quote: |
| Have you been to Shanghai before? Have you ever been to China? If not, I would recommend coming here to do some recon first. |
Actually I already visited Shanghai and my wife is from Shanghai (we met in Canada). I guess it helps  I liked the buzz of the city.
| Quote: |
| what can you bring to china that will land you a job if you are looking for one when you are in china? |
I am a manager, with MBA degree, Master's in computer science, and 10 years experience. I am learning Mandarin as well. A priori it should not be too difficult for me to find a job, but it's hard to tell without really trying.
My question is about the job searching process: Is it safe to assume that, with my professional background and effective job searching, I can get a decent job offer in Shanghai before my tourist visa expires (i.e. 3 months)?
| Quote: |
| you also have many people coming in shanghai with nothing and ended up with and english teaching job because this is the only thing they could find |
I definitely do not want to end up in this situation. I am not interested in teaching English.
Thanks again. I'm eager to join the expat community in Shanghai!
Flipside |
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Renovator
FooJay
Joined: Apr 18, 2007
Posts: 1631
Location: Century Park & MA,USA
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 08:46 AM |
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9+ times out of 10 you will get a better offer (salary, living arrangements, travel to Canada, expense reimbursements, etc.) for a China job if hired in Canada than you will be offered as a local hire. Finding a job locally in China, however, is easier than finding one in Canada, especially if you enjoy networking with other people. This is of course is very general and may not apply to your specific qualifications, ambitions, and family situation.
If you stipulate type of job you are looking for and family status, you will get far more help on this forum. |
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me_myself_&_i
Reacher
Joined: Oct 15, 2007
Posts: 244
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 08:57 AM |
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check with this company they are head hunters in shanghai
western company they deal with all sorts of jobs and industries
good luck
aspecto: www.aspecto-asia.com
the last time i talk to them i talk to a girl (womam but not that old) jessica kang she is chinese but speaks good english:
jessica.kang@aspecto-asia.com
if your wife is from shanghai you will be fine there. to find a job before your visa expires is another story but you can always renew it and since you are married you can do like many of us.
ask for a 1 year visa, this is what i am on now, you just need to get all the papers to the consulate,
ask the chinese consulate in canada, it is easy., when i got married they gave me 6 months, then another 6 months, and for the last 3 years, 1year each time, next year i will be resident, so ask the chinese consulate i do not need to go out of china and to renew i can renew all the time here in china.
after 5 years here i am still on a toursit visa it is so funny and i work here but no one cares since i am married hahahah
anyway for you it may be different
the chinese should give you long visa since you are married just ask and contact the head hunter
good luck again |
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flipside
Newbie
Joined: Oct 29, 2007
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 11:42 AM |
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| Quote: |
| 9+ times out of 10 you will get a better offer (salary, living arrangements, travel to Canada, expense reimbursements, etc.) for a China job if hired in Canada than you will be offered as a local hire. |
That's weird. Imagine working beside a guy with same qualifications but paid 30% more than you just because he was hired from abroad. This is unacceptable to me.
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| If you stipulate type of job you are looking for and family status, you will get far more help on this forum. |
I live in Vancouver, I am European citizen, I am in the process of being married (sorry I said I was married, I thought it would not make any difference!), and I have no children. My fiancee is Chinese. I should be able to get married in China in a few months. Talk abt a complicated situation 
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| after 5 years here i am still on a toursit visa it is so funny and i work here but no one cares since i am married hahahah |
I don't know what kind of job you have. I am looking to work as consultant for large foreign company (like Accenture); I doubt it would be possible without work visa. What kind job do you have?
Thanks a lot for the headhunter link! |
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me_myself_&_i
Reacher
Joined: Oct 15, 2007
Posts: 244
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 12:06 PM |
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i am a chef in hotels and restaurant
to tell you the truth i think if the governement look at it, my boss would be in trouble, but for now the place i work for is owned by the chinese governement, and managed by the chinese governement
so i do not think they will investigate their own properties
anyway you are right i should not be allowed to work untill i get the residency paper |
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me_myself_&_i
Reacher
Joined: Oct 15, 2007
Posts: 244
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 12:34 PM |
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see when i told you about the visa i assumed you were married since you posted it that way to start
now it is a whole different story you will not qualify like other married expat to renew your visa untill you actually get married
do not forget to bring a single certificate with you they asked me for it when we got married since i brought one with me they asked me if i had it signed by the chinese consulate in my country witch i did not so they asked me to have it signed here by my consulate to certify it i guess
bette aske the chinese consulate in canada to avoid mistakes
good luck again |
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CowboyUp
Talker
Joined: July 07, 2007
Posts: 113
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 04:50 PM |
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I agree with Renovator. With your IT background and MBA in hand you shouldn't have a problem finding a job here. However, you will probably get a substantially higher compensation package if you can get an offer in Canada. Although there are a lot of oppertunities in China they can be difficult to find. Also language skills are a major limiting hiring factor as well. |
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