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Here we outline a brief overview of the application process – more in-depth guidance will be provided by your dedicated Coordinator at each stage.

If you would like any advice or have any questions prior to making an application, please email info@opportunity-china.com

Stage 1: Submit an online application

When you’re ready to submit an application, do so online at www.opportunity-china.com/application-form/.

This will require a copy of your CV/résumé.

You’ll be contacted within 10 days if we are able to progress your application to Stage 2. Please note that due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to respond if your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Stage 2: The Opportunity China Telephone/ Skype Interview

This 30 minute conversation will be an opportunity to talk through your application, to explain your motivations behind wishing to teach in China and provide an overview of any relevant experience. During the interview we will be interested to learn why you think that you are a good candidate for teaching in one of our partner schools in China.

You’ll then be able to ask your interviewer any questions, and provide details of any preferences you have regarding your ideal teaching position such as location within China, preferred age of students and type of organisation you wish to work for. If required, we’ll also give you some tips on how to amend your CV/ resume to tailor it for a teaching position.

Following the skype/ telephone interview, you will be informed within 3 working days of whether your application has progressed to Stage 3.

Stage 3: Review the teaching positions you are eligible for

Here’s where the process starts to become really exciting! Approximately 6-10 weeks before your ideal departure date, Opportunity China will send you job profiles that meet you requirements, and which you are eligible for given your preferences and experience level.

Now’s your time to research, research, research!

When considering whether a job could potentially be right for you, consider the school/ company ethos, location (both within China and within the city), working hours, age of students, accommodation provision, and the over all benefits package being offered.

Read about the types of educational organisations that Opportunity China work with.

Read our blog post: public schools vs private language schools – the lowdown!

Stage 4: Skype Interview with the School

Once you receive details of a job role that you would like to interview for, your Coordinator will put forward your details to the Chinese school and arrange an initial skype interview with their Academic Director. Interviews tend to take place within Chinese working hours of 9am to 5pm, so do consider the time zone difference.

Remember, after the formal interview has taken place you should use the opportunity to ask the Academic Director any questions about the position that remain unanswered.

Further guidance on how to prepare for this interview will be provided.

If you need any advice regarding how to prepare for your Skype interview and the sort of questions you might be asked, your Coordinator will be on hand to help you. You will also be sent some guidance notes on how to prepare, and what to expect.

Stage 5: Interview feedback

Opportunity China will provide feedback on your interview, and inform you of whether the school wishes to offer you the teaching role. Feedback is usually provided within 3 working days.

Some schools may require a second interview or a live/ recorded teaching demo. Again, your Coordinator can provide further guidance on how to prepare for this.

Once you have been offered a role, you will typically be sent an employment contract to review.

If an employment offer is made, it’s up to you to decide whether to accept the offer – most schools require a decision within 5 working days. We encourage you to directly correspond with the school to ask any further questions about the position before making up your mind.

Do feel welcome to propose as many questions as you wish – do not hold back! We also strongly advise that you ask to be introduced to a current teacher working at the school, or ask your Coordinator to facilitate this.

Stage 6: Contract review

If you decide to accept the job, you will be sent a contract.

Please review this very carefully; if you feel that anything is missing or incorrect then you should raise this before signing it. The contract should be a thorough document noting the conditions of your salary, working hours, teaching hours per week, accommodation provision (if relevant), visa provision, medical insurance (if relevant), flight reimbursement, over-time pay, public holiday and annual leave provision, conditions regarding overtime, any penalty clauses, and terms of the employer release letter.

Please read our contract guidance webpage for more information.

Please note that your contract is signed between yourself and your employer, not with Opportunity China.

Stage 7: The Visa Application Process

You’ll now begin the work ‘z’ visa application process. This varies between provinces and schools, and your future employer will advise of exactly the documents required. Generally, high quality scanned copies of the following documents will be required:

  • Degree Certificate (legalized)
  • TEFL Certificate (legalized)
  • CV/ Resume
  • Reference letter
  • Passport
  • Passport style photographs
  • ‘No Criminal Record Check’ (legalized)
  • Medical Check (in some cases)

Your scanned documents will then be used by the school to apply for your Foreign Expert Invitation Confirmation, Foreign Expert Permit, and letter of invitation. Please note that there is no guarantee that these visa support documents will be successfully issued – on rare occasions visa applications do get rejected for no apparent reason, however this does not happen often.

These visa support documents can take up to 28 working days to be processed by the relevant provincial government office, and for your school to receive them back. Electronic copies will then be sent to you via email, and hard copies posted (usually via DHL courier) to your home address.

Once you know when the documents will arrive, you can book a visa appointment at your nearest Chinese Embassy. Alternatively, you can apply for your visa via post.

Your Coordinator will be able to provide additional Visa Application Guidance based on your country of residence, and your preferences.

Stage 8: Pre-Departure Preparations

Only once your visa has been secured and is in your passport do we suggest that you book your flight. STA Travel offer preferential flight prices to our candidates, as well as a flexi-ticket booking service, and we will provide you with a dedicated email address.

Refer to our ‘Preparing for your new role in China’ document to guide you on what to do before you depart for China.

We’ll also provide our ‘We Chat’ details so that you can contact us at any time once you arrive in China, and be on hand to answer all of those last minute questions!

Opportunity China are here to support you throughout every stage of the application process. If you have any questions or queries, please contact your Coordinator or info@opportunity-china.com at any time.