Are You Finally Ready To Take The Leap?

Are You Finally Ready To Take The Leap?
mike695ca Apr 21, 2014 17:25

There is nothing wrong with being an English Teacher. They were some of the best years of my life. I enjoyed the work and the lifestyle and I was lucky enough to have a job that paid me a salary that I felt was fair. 

 

People teach in China for various reasons and stay for various lengths of time and if anyone is happy with their situation then congrats! This post isnt for you. This post is for the numerous people who are here long term like myself and for money or security or a sense of pride, wish to do something else. 

 

Countless times on this website we see people asking how to move on from teaching or at the very least complaining that we dont have any opportunities readily available.  There are im sure many ways to move on from teaching, with online webwork or consulting being some of them.   What I am talking about is ways to push yourself and get involved in the Chinese business community in a more traditional sense. Getting a position within a company and moving and and seeing how far it can go. 

 

* Note *  This is not for everyone. If you are here short-term, or enjoy your current lifestyle a little too much then perhaps this is not for you. Any reward requires risk and sacrifice and a whole lot of work, so put your big boy pants on and lets go on a journey shall we?

 

Step 1:  Getting seen in a different light

 

 Truth: No one, no matter how open minded is not going to see a kindergarten teacher as a business executive. It does not matter how many rich parents you have telling you your the best teacher ever. You are seen as a teacher for their children so any contacts you feel you may have, are useless.  You need to get away from children and fast.  You need to be with the rich parents themselves. 

 

I understand that people love the security of Universities and public schools and the holidays, but if you really want a better job, this will probably be the first sacrifice you need to make.  Training Centers can be the devil for sure, you need to work far more hours, deal with a heck of alot for pains and quite possibly get screwed around. But training centers often pay alot more and can get you in with your first chances.  Teaching Business English.  

 

Perhaps your city is smaller and doesnt have any of the larger companies and /or training centers. Move. This is for your betterment, for your future. Moving around is a sacrifice you are going to have to make.   

 

In my 7 years here, I have lived in Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen , Chongqing and Foshan.  I will live anywhere if that will better my career and life.  And Your going to need to move to a crappy place later, but we will get to that...

 

Most of these training Centers will have existing contracts with extremely large companies here in China. These are incredibly valuable contacts to have and often thats as far as you need to go before opportunities are being thrown your way.

 

I have given classes to executives of companies such as China Southern Airlines, China Mobile, LG, Samsung, Gree, Brose and im sure countless other mid-level companies that I cannot remember.  

 

Do whatever brushing up or ass kicking you need to do to be known as the Business English teacher in your school or training center.

 

2. Become a company man

 

 Now that you have these contacts, getting a job with them should not take much more than a few months and some sweet talking.  I turned down numerous offers because I was younger and didnt care for it. I loved my lifestyle. 

 

I know you dont see many advertisements from Fortune 500 companies looking for english teachers but believe me, they are. These companies spend an absurd amount of money to have teachers who are paid a pittence of that teach them. They can get you a visa without breaking a sweat and can pay you a nice salary package and still make a killing off of the savings from the training center.

 

Keep your ear to the ground.  When does their current contract expire?  If you are their main teacher and you think they might re-sign to continue working with you, let them know that your current situation with that center is not indefinate. Year to year contracts and all.  You should be able to swing something in no time.

 

* This is all contingent on the fact that you are a good teacher.  This is no time to be slacking. These lessons to the executives should be the most engaging and well-prepared classes you have ever come up with. *

 

If your not working with so many companies or not getting your opportunties then now its time to get dirty. You know that these companies are not posting for teachers on job sites like this one. So you need to find them.  Do the leg work, Go to their factory or head office. Contact the HR.   People are starting to rely on websites far too much and if you dont meet them face to face then how can you differentiate yourself from the others? Plus, these companies might not know they need a teacher in the first place. 

 

* note*  DO NOT under any circumstance go there looking for a different position you arent qualified for or mention you would like to do other things as well.  Please trust me on this. I spent a few years working in HR for a very well known Chinese brand and they all hate this. They are looking for a teacher not a damn consulatant. Dont waste their time by even mentioning it. Patience!

 

* note for people currently in universities*  Every company I have worked with, big or small, goes to your schools on recruiting runs. These are the exact people you are looking for. Do yourself a favour and go. *

 

3: Bide your time

 

You are now in! Congrats! At the very least, even if you never move ahead you can now say you work for a famous company and not a school.  Lying about your job has never been easier! 

 

Be prepared for some changes.

 

You are very likely going to need to move to a crappy area. Like I said up top,people who love their current lifestyle need not apply.  While most companies have an office of somekind in large cities like Shanghai or Shenzhen, you would be surprised how few people actually work there.  Plus these are very specific jobs with people that probably dont need English.  No my friend, your going out to the outskirts of town. To the manufactoring plants and head offices.  This is where the vast majority of large corporations make their money and this is where you will make your mark. 

 

A list of Do's and Dont's for your new job. ( At least untill you have truly figured out your place)

 

Do: Dress appropriately

 

This is Key in a business setting in China, I hate this and I look like a penis in a tie, but its what I had to do. 

 

Dont: Ever be late or miss work.

 

I get it, your used to doing what you want and having no fear of being fired, and to be honest these companies are not training centers, they have no idea of the millions of ways to screw with a foreigner. They will follow your contract to a T, but youve come so far! Why risk it by being irresponsable? I dont care how much that hunan food messed with your stomach last night. You will go.

 

Do: Offer to help

 

From here on out, you will never again say the words " that is not my job".  Most of your colleagues are secretly going to resent you for making too much money and not doing enough work ( your going to have ALOT of free time). 

 

Do not spend your free time reading BBC. Do not leave right at 6. I know youve been waiting hours, but in Chinese corporate culture, you do not leave untill your superior leaves. Wait for them to ask you why you havent left yet.  Offer to help your colleagues with stuff. They will probably say no, but in the office Chinese gossip ALL THE TIME. Its better to sound good when they are talking about you. 

 

Do not:  Under any circumstance, be creepy.

 

This is the number one killer of teachers I have seen.  I dont care how hot she is. Never has the term " dont shit where you sleep" rung truer.  No dates, NO TOUCHING even the arm. No jokes.  Yes, some will hit on you, but you must resist! You must be the consumate professional to even have a chance at this.  The same goes for drinking. People will invite you put, but moderation is key. Unless they have become close friends, even when your not working, you are working. 

 

Do:  Be Patient!

Youve been there for a few months and things are great. Why not talk to the boss?  Big mistake. Again you were hired to do a job and if they move you, they are going to need to train you to do a job a chinese graduate can do as well as replace you. I have seen it countless times.  Teachers over-estimating themselves and their place.  Wait untill the time is right.  I waited a year and a half untill i broached it. Perhaps I waited to long as within 2 weeks I was in a new department. But better safe than sorry. 

 

Do Not: Complain!

This is the easiest way to alienate yourself from your colleagues and destroy your chances at climbing the corporate laddar.  Foreigners have a reputation for being whiners and to be fair, its super true. We have become pampered and piss and moan about everything.  Have to stay late for a meeting?  suck it up with a smile on your face buddy. Had a problem with finance and youll be paid after the weekend? Have some shame, the chinese make a percentage of your salary and can save far more. Keep your mouth shut. And if I hear one more complaint how because you need to work on a weekend its not really a 3 day holiday im gonna scream.  Your colleagues arent bitching and neither should you.

Do:  Never forget that you are not special.

You dont want to be treated any differently, you dont want to stand out in any negative way. Try to think from their perspective. You are already getting paid a boatload and you do less compared to them.  Make everyone think you deserve your money and YOU WILL BECOME VALUABLE to your company. 

 

Try your best to mimic the corporate culture. I know its hard because back home your boss was your buddy. But here he is your superior. Treat him as such. He is the one that can help you greatly.  If his name is  Raymond Wong  Call him "Wong Zong" The zong is a term of respect for your superiors.   He will probably tell you raymond is fine, and it usually is but give him face and you will be paid back in kind.  Wait till people are in his office. And then call him that.  You would not believe how much you are helping yourself with little gestures like that no matter how demeaning or shallow you feel it is. 

 

4: Be prepared

 

You done your job well, you have bided your time and you feel that you are important to your company and they would rather train you and place you in a different position than lose you.  Now is the time to talk with your boss. 

 

BE PREPARED!  You would not belive how common it is for someone to ask their boss for a new position and when he inevitably asks you what position you would like,....and you look back at him with a blank stare.  Good job looking professional!  Now go back and start from scratch.

 

No, you must have spend a long ass time preparing for this conversation. And when he asks you will have a answer that makes perfect sense. You will know what the job entails and you will have reasons to give him of how it would valuable to the company. 

 

I chose international sales.  I explained how I fully understant the culture of our company and would be a valuable asset to helping with clients who come here as well as communications when they are not here. I can speak chinese and deal with the manufacturing process and I have experience back home. 

 

Another friend who I helped hire as my replacment, did well and moved into Internation HR.  He now teachers one or two classes a day, does some other odds and ends and spends the rest of his work time studying for a large Internation HR exam in China. They even hired him a professional chinese teacher. Imagine getting paid to study!

 

You have done it! You are in! You are no longer a teacher but a valuable asset to a large coporation that pays you accordingly while providing you with a sense of pride. Congrats!  Now what you do with it is up to you! But you will find yourself at a crossroads.  You have two choices ahead of you.

 

1: Stay with the company and enjoy the comfort and respect you have earned.  With the caveat that you will not be paid well of course. There is still some teacher stink left on you of course, and they spent years paying you on a certain salary scale and they would loathe to pay you more when they were so gracious to give you the opportunity to begin with. 

 

2.  Leave my child, and go find your riches!   If you are willing to branch out now, here is where the opportunities will find you. You have a great position and company name on your resume, and you have work experience! Finding foreigners with actual chinese corporate experience is not easy and people will pay for that.

 

I myself chose a mid size Canadian owned company  that gives me a fancy title of VP, a salary I am content with for the future and a real sense of pride in seeing my hard work go into some of the most famous stores in the world. And the best part is the security that we all crave.  I work hard, dont complain and my bosses in Canada love me and my work, and even if they didnt, how can they replace me? 

N

o one else they or I have ever comes across can give them the combination of real China work experience, Chinese corporate culture knowldge, Can speak Chinese, with Chinese sales and factory experience.  And the only reason Im safe is because you guys havent done it yet. 

 

Im not sure if its for everyone, and im sure not everyone has the will or the skill to do it. But if you are like me and plan to stay long term and need to find a way to gather real opportunities then this path is the best I have found for that.

 

Anyways, I hope it wasnt a brag peice or a put down piece, and I hope there is some actual tips  that can help some of you out. 

 

Tags:General Teaching & Learning Business & Jobs Lifestyle

23 Comments

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Guest858516

Currently I am in this situation. I am trying to move on from teaching and get into business. Sometimes it can be very hard in the work environment and visa restrictions for foreign workers. Hope I can get my break.

Jun 05, 2014 00:59 Report Abuse

Guest2613568

yes very good advice maybe there is a position for me :)

May 13, 2014 18:26 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Ummm sure? Whats up?

May 03, 2014 16:31 Report Abuse

WCG

I tried this. Turned out to be a face job. It was really difficult to sit in an office and do nothing all day for a year. My background is in accounting and finance, so I was fully capable of doing much more for the company, and perhaps I took my given title too seriously. Because your title isn't serious, they don't give a shit if your title fits your job here. In the end, that's all that particular company wanted was a white monkey to give their company international appeal. It was my third year here, my first time venturing away from teaching. I agree that it can definitely be done, but with a lot of risk in exchange for not that much more money. I actually make more teaching privately. Just curious, was it worth it? I mean, now you work for a Canadian company operating in the industrial outskirts of town, exactly where I was. You're probably extremely bored or unhappy with the actual work. You're stuck to some company's god awful 9 to 6:30 schedule, maybe 6 days a week. I did my hourly calculation of what I made my first year teaching compared to what I made sitting for those long hours in the office. I make more per hour of work as a teacher and I am free to move where I please and kissing butt is not for me. Sure you can add it to your resume, but what's to stop you from adding it to your resume anyway? I know 4 or 5 foreigners who have faked their degrees. I really didn't see the benefit of working outside of teaching, so I went back to teaching.

Apr 28, 2014 14:45 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Umm yeah it was worth it. As the VP of Operations here, I do not have a boss or a schedule. My bosses are all in Canada. The job and relationship is based on trust, much like it would be back home. We have an understanding, when there is work to do , i will do it. If i miss a weekend, so be it. And during the 3 month peak production time I am incredibly busy. But when there is less to do, I dont need to be here at all. Show up at 10 or so and leave at 2 or 3. They are all asleep in the US anyways. I take home over 100K USD a year after taxes, and yes im on the outskirts but I have a car, I can be in GZ in just over an hour or drinking a pint in SZ in half that. An easy trade off for me and my family. I have had more vacation time this year then ever before. I have been to thailand, Malaysia , Borneo, Paid for my momma to come and took her to Beijing and Shanghai. Guys weekends in Macau watching the UFC and another guys trip in Taipei getting drunk and Xmas in Dalian eating ham and turkey in a 5 star and making our first snowman together with my wife. Work hard when you need to and enjoy life after that. I will say that there are many face jobs out there, mine was too at first. But it seems that perhaps you missed the underlying point of the posting. Its not just about getting in the door and being handed riches. Your gonna have to work and show them that your valuable. If you had your chance and blew it, oh well, it happens. Its happened to me. Just figure out what went wrong and dont let it happen again. But having a defeatist attitude sure isnt going to help you in the future. Get back on that horse man!

Apr 29, 2014 10:06 Report Abuse

Robk

Macau hosts UFC events? Oh man, I gotta do one of those!

Apr 29, 2014 17:22 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Haha yeah man they have had 2 so far. One a few months ago. The ultimate fighter china finale, and last october had a crazy card. Cung lee knocked the hell out of ritch franklin. At the venetian hotel. Singapore has them too.

Apr 29, 2014 18:43 Report Abuse

bill8899

Good advice on one way to upgrade yourself in China.

Apr 26, 2014 00:04 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Thanks! And thats a key point. Just one way.

Apr 29, 2014 10:08 Report Abuse

expatlife26

Great piece mike! I really can't agree enough the importance of just being on time, staying late, dressing well and not being creepy. Those are things that are 100% in our control that really can help make a good impression. That's why I think someone who has never held a professional job should seek out the company of those that do...nobody is born knowing how to act like a professional, learn from one! I also agree fully with the Don't complain section...amazing the entitlement people have. One thing I want to add is...don't feel entitled to perfect relationships with everyone you work with. My coworkers are fully entitled to place their needs ahead of mine, and vice-versa. It's our responsibility to manage our work relationships to get what we need from them; it's not our coworkers responsibility to be our friends...though it's nice. Neither taking everyone's shit nor taking no one's shit is a good strategy. You have to evaluate each situation and do your own cost/benefit analysis. Make decisions that will get you where you want to be, not that will make you feel like a tough guy in the moment but send you right back to the classroom. That's especially true with your boss, maybe you would prefer a boss with a different style, but part of your job is making your boss happy. It's your job to adapt to his/her expectations not the reverse.

Apr 25, 2014 14:44 Report Abuse

Robk

I can personally attest to most, if not all, of this being true. I have examples: 1) A friend of mine worked in a training center, they supplied English classes to foreign companies. My buddy got in good with the CEO and dropped the line that he would love to move to the company and he did. 2) With the "Don't be creepy" is right too. I know a much loved teacher that was labelled creepy because he was too nice to the female and male students. He was just an affectionate guy but got labelled a "color wolf" and had trouble making contacts and getting out. They would gossip about him constantly and it was bad. These methods do work, Mike is right. Learn how to conduct yourself as a professional, look the part and change your mentality. Business people are among the most mature when it is work time, time to grow up.

Apr 23, 2014 12:59 Report Abuse

expatlife26

Right!...you know there are SO many good places and opportunities to score dates (no matter what your preference) in a big city here. Hell, even super-hot euro models are still going to be feeling somewhat socially limited here and are thus eminently approachable. With that in mind, I can't fathom why some people can't get it through their head to just not view coworkers as potential targets. God, just tune it out for 8 hrs a day. If you can't do that than you deserve an unfulfilling job.

Apr 28, 2014 10:44 Report Abuse

coineineagh

pehaps we expats do complain too readily. despite the rewards you mentioned, i will focus on my free time and quality of life (however meager it may be), not to mention job applications, for a 10k salary. but for 20k, i'd be an idiot not to make myself an irreplaceable asset to a company. you get what you pay for. well written blog.

Apr 23, 2014 12:33 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Thanks @coin I tried to make it as clear as I could that this what not something people SHOULD do. Just ideas for people who want to. Nothing wrong with enjoying your life at all. And of course I do not have a full -fledged family such as yourself and cant even comprehend what that would do to my priorities.

Apr 23, 2014 14:46 Report Abuse

Robk

Yeah, you seem like a clever guy. I am pretty certain you will do well in whatever you decide to do. You just can't give up. With the freelancing thing, I wanted to throw in the towel a few times during drought periods and horrible clients... but I didn't. It has paid off and now I never have to worry about an income again. I loved my time teaching but I felt like it capped my potential and freedom. If you continue to advance your skills quickly and learn how to reel in the clients... you will be making 20k RMB per month very soon and on your own terms.

Apr 23, 2014 15:43 Report Abuse

coineineagh

What a full-fledged family does to your priorities, in my case, is it makes it necessary to run every carreer decision by a pair of hysterical women for approval. Some people might leave lodestones behind so they can fly fancy free, but when you have a family, there are children involved. It's not as dour as I picture it though; sometimes those hysterical women do make smart decisions, and they even change for the better if you can wait long enough. Being a familiy man has its perks, too: I recently completed a website proofreading assignemt for my German programmer friend. http://www.shoreless.asia/en They payed me extra because it needed to be completed fast, though I'm sure it mattered that I, my friend and the other manager are all young fathers of 1-year-old boys. 900yuan for 3-4 work-from-home hours. Hopefully more tasks like that await me in the future. We'll see. There's also a few decently-paid teaching and non-teaching jobs out there that I'm looking into. And for the record: I work at a training school (for kids), and salaries aren't much higher than other positions. The only adult teaching job on offer locally is Meten, and I get the impression that place is quite phony, with glass walls and windowdressing. I doubt that professonals from large corporations go there to study English.

Apr 23, 2014 16:35 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Actually, if thats the biggest adult training center in you city then yes thats exactly where they go to study. Of course we see it as phony but chinese dont and name recognition means alot to these companies. You wuld be surprised how many contracts that meten has. Go act like your interested. They will gladly tell you their contracts. They are proud of them. They will have a brochure in the lobby and it will have all of the logos of the companies they have worked with. Its a selling point for other companies and regular students alike. I agree that a family makes it harder to move, but if its guarenteed extra income your two ladies will come around. Somethibg like 400 million migrant workers move away from there families for an extra grand a month. If your wife knows you can easily make 15 or 20 a month in a larger city with more opportunities. She might agree. But again, im not in your shoes i have no idea about the pressures of kids.

Apr 23, 2014 17:39 Report Abuse

mike695ca

http://contact.meteni.com Check the bottom of the page. Nokia Peugeot, huawei, cannon. Tonnes of famous companies. All potential opportunities. And perhaps you wouldnt need to move at all.

Apr 23, 2014 17:45 Report Abuse

coineineagh

I applied twice. The first time, I refused due to timing and low salary. The second time, I refused due to low salary again, but this time they offered 2k more than the year before. Actually they offered more than I make now, it's just that I make profit by living cheap in a small city. Who knows, I may go for it this year.

Apr 23, 2014 18:43 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Well its up to you man. You do whats best for your family. You definitely shouldnt accept less than what you make now. But the point isnt meten. The point is making actual viable contacts and showing yourself to people that can give you a chance. If changing positions is something that you want then it really cant hurt to ge check it out.

Apr 23, 2014 19:41 Report Abuse

Robk

Yeah, Meten isn't the goal. It is merely a stepping stone... A lot of people are looking for the easy-ins but they don't realize you have to sacrifice the pawn to get to the King. I have heard of Meten, it has a decent rep... you could probably launch off them into a pretty good company if you play your cards right.

Apr 24, 2014 01:11 Report Abuse

flyingheart

You offered some very good tips here. I want to make one point clearer: Before you make your move, KNOW YOURSELF. Not everyone is tailored for ANY profession they want to do. You have to run a deep analysis of what you have and don't have to dive into a particular line of business. Can you get what you don't have as soon as possible and how? Plan your move as a writer plans his book. Don't do anything because it will make you work less and earn more. Do something that will not only bring you bread but grow your sense of enrichment every day. You can't be a loser after this first step.

Apr 22, 2014 17:27 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Very well said.

Apr 22, 2014 19:59 Report Abuse