Top 5 Job Tips for “We are the 99 Percent (who want to go to China)”

As I’ve flipped through hundreds of across the web this weekend, I was struck by the number of formerly middle-class people who have families where no one is able to find work, who have mounting health bills and, yes, even some who have hungry stomachs.

What to do? There are no great answers apart from a concerted change in the way we view the social contract. But this is a political matter. One possible avenue for people that need help now, however, is to move abroad to work in places where the accumulated skills of the U.S. population are still seen as valuable. This option is being highlighted by a subset of 99 percenters who are sending in testimonials from where they are working abroad, in Europe, Asia and elsewhere: one of whom is pictured above. These 99 percenters, though upset that they can’t come home to the US to work, are also writing in to say how moving abroad has allowed them to pay off school loans and other debts. I am sure that the domestic 99 percenters are reading these posts from their overseas compatriots and thinking, “That doesn’t seem so bad? How do I get one of those?”

To those asking such questions, here are my 5 tips for moving to China to find work. There are plenty of other tips out there, but I think these are enough to get you started:

5. Secure a Visa

This is self explanatory for some of you, but don’t begrudge it being in this list since the average American has never traveled outside of his or her own state. Before you can think about going anywhere, you have to get a visa, which also necessitates that you take out a passport. The typical route for most foreigners entering China for work is to enter on either a tourist or student visa and then, once in the country, to apply for a resident visa. The Chinese Embassy has more information here, and you can see more practical advice here.

4. Be strategic when buying airplane tickets

Airplane tickets to China can be very expensive. But, they can also be very cheap if you are flexible (which you should be if you don’t have a job) and persistent. There’s a number of sites out there that will teach you how to purchase tickets for cheap, but here are the three best tactics I have used in the past:

1. Fly into and out of different cities. So if I fly from Detroit to Shanghai when I’m going to China, I will try to fly from Shanghai to Chicago on the way back. I can then take a train back and my plane ticket price is sometimes cut down by $400. This is a tried and true tactic. There’s a good tutorial here.
2. Fly when no one else flies. This means you should avoid June-August, and December-Early January.
3. Don’t grow attached to your ticket. If the airline needs someone to give up their flight – do it! They’ll give you money. Them giving you money and a hotel room. This will make your flight cheaper and your trip more relaxing.

3. Start looking for jobs before you leave for China

This may seem weird at first due to the fact that China is on the other side of the world. But there are established expat communities in almost every part of the country that you would want to visit. This means that they’ve put up job boards which Chinese employers are not shy to plaster with ads for foreign teachers, marketers and specialized technical experts.

The value of this exercise is that you can test the waters before you go, and you will be able to hit the ground running once you arrive. The best people to reach out to are expats. The best sites to check out are those of the established expat magazines in the major cities:

City Weekend (Job listings, events, reviews)

The Beijinger (classifieds, forums, directories, blogs)

There are also government sites that specialize in setting up expats with Chinese employers: sites like this one, entitled “China Jobs: Job Fairs for Foreigners”. Tip: By “foreigners” the site means you.

The jobs aren’t limited to just teaching jobs, contrary to what you are hearing. In especially high demand are people with technical expertise in the sciences. So if your masters in Biology is not helping you find a job in the US, you may find that you’ll have much better luck in China.

2. Once in China, don’t turn into a moron

At least not before you have your financial house in order. Remember, you’re going to China because you have debt, or family members who need you, or you have been burned too many times by failure and a lack of subsequent opportunities. Don’t let those goals be sabotaged by the cheap booze and nightlife on offer in the majority of expat scenes. Once you’ve paid off everything and are standing on your own two feet again, then consider becoming the towny in the local expat bar. Remember, the goals are to have a job and a good life while you ride out the recession, and to have a sense of purpose and identity again. Becoming a towny in China just means you’ll become as angry and depressed as you were leaving the US.

That being said, expat communities are a necessary and often very rewarding source of comfort and friendship. Chances are you won’t learn much Chinese so without these communities you’d be very isolated. Like with anything else, you should do your research. The same forums I showed you above can be used to research the various types of communities and groups one can join in China. The opportunities for fun are much wider than the narrow streets filled with smelly expat bar holes. My personal tip: find a community that likes to eat. The restaurants in China are always a fun experience.

1. Invest in Air Pollution Masks

Polluted landscape where its impossible to breathe are not only the subject matter of science fiction movies any more. They’re real. China’s cities are some of the worst on the planet.

Our friend Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, who works at Beijing United and writes on the excellent My Health Beijing blog, recently put together a list of places you can buy masks, and he also was helpful enough to pick out his favorite of the bunch. If you’re curious that’s him with his mask of choice on the right.

The air pollution in China is truly not to be messed with. The US Embassy even has a live air quality monitor. The number on it rarely dips much past the 150s, which in the US would be cause for alarm. In China, levels regularly exceed 200. If you are middle-aged or older, masks are an absolute must as you are at higher risk for heart and lung problems.

I hope this list is somewhat helpful. Stay strong 99%ers, and don’t be shy about going abroad.