r/ChinaJobs

Hi everyone,

I’m 22 and from New Zealand, and honestly I’m feeling pretty lost about what to do next.

I used to do modelling in New Zealand and Japan. I wouldn’t say I’m good-looking enough to make it a long-term career, even though it’s always been my dream.

I’ve spent about the last year travelling around China trying to find opportunities, mainly in modelling and livestreaming (直播). I’ve had a lot of interviews, but I’d say about 90% have been a complete waste of time. A surprising number of companies either don’t understand the visa process or think foreigners can just work on a tourist visa or while studying. Even after I explain it, they just tell me it’ll be fine, which I’m obviously not willing to risk.

One thing that has gone well is my Chinese. I’ve never actually studied it or even opened a textbook, but after living here for so long I can hold conversations pretty comfortably. My reading and writing are terrible because I’ve never learned them properly, although I can type using pinyin.

I graduated from the University of Auckland last year with a Bachelor of Science (Statistics & Psychology) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing & International Trade). During university I worked for about six months as a research analyst covering consumer behaviour for a national media company. I’ve also studied abroad at Keio University in Japan and Korea University in South Korea, and completed an internship in Thailand.

Lately I’ve been based in Hangzhou, but I’d happily move to Shanghai, Changsha, Chengdu or Chongqing.

Most of my friends here work in creative industries—models, photographers, fashion designers or streamers—which is probably why I’d really like to stay somewhere around fashion, beauty, media or online content. At the same time, I know I’m competing with local graduates, so I’m trying to be realistic. The idea of an extremely corporate work environment would just bore me to death. Teaching English is also a last resort - I’m not particularly interested.

A few days ago my best friend in China died by suicide. That completely knocked me sideways, and since then I’ve honestly had no idea what direction I should be taking.

The reality is I can’t keep staying in China without some sort of stable income. More than anything, I just want to find a legal way to stay here. Going back to New Zealand is something I desperately want to avoid, and I’m trying to figure out every possible alternative before it comes to that.

I’ve thought about doing a master’s, a PhD, or maybe just studying Chinese for a year, but I’d probably need a scholarship to make that possible.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or have any suggestions? Maybe there’s a path I’m overlooking.

I’d really appreciate any advice.

Hi everyone!

I'm an American, 26-year-old white female considering moving to China in the fall of 2027 at the earliest. I currently live in Chicago, IL and have started self-studying Mandarin. My boyfriend is Chinese and lives in Shenzhen, which is where I would move to. What are your recommendations regarding what types of jobs to look for/when to start looking?

I have a bachelor's degree and master's degree in music, specifically Opera performance. I've kept up with my freelance operatic career since graduating, participating in roughly two shows per year, although with small Chicago companies. I would hope to still sing on the side in China although I know this would l not be my main source of income!

I have three years' experience teaching private piano and voice lessons to both children and adults. Additionally, I served as a swim teacher for six years - group and private lessons. I would be happy to teach English (I'm a native speaker) or teach music; however, I don't currently hold a teaching certificate/license, nor do I have teaching experience specific to the classroom- just private teaching. I also worked as an admin at a Chicago based piano school for about a year.

I currently work in commercial real estate/property management in corporate America. I'm coming up on a year of experience in August of this year. From what I've read, teaching seems like the best option for me, and admittedly, it sounds a lot more fulfilling than the job I have now lol.

My boyfriend recommends I look at teaching at an international school in Shenzhen; however, my lack of classroom experience concerns me. Should I start working on a TEFL or another kind of teaching certification before looking for a job? I'm thinking of starting to look for a job just after lunar new year in 2027. Would this be an appropriate timeline?

Thanks everyone in advance for your thoughts!

Hey everyone! I’m looking for a remote job in customer service, consulting, or sales. My rate is $6/hour, and I can start right away.

I speak English, French, and Arabic fluently, so I’m excellent at handling clients from all over the world. I have a strong background in sales and closing deals. Let me know if your team is hiring!

I have a CELTA and my boyfriend has no TEFL certification, but is looking to start a TEFL program (not necessarily CELTA). We have both been applying for jobs in China and I notice that all the jobs he has been getting interviews for (with no TEFL) ask him for demo lesson videos with specific requirements on a very short notice, within 24 hours. I have not had this experience and I am guessing that this is because he does not have certification. Please correct me if I am wrong.

My question is: is CELTA the best path for certification or will any 120 hour TEFL suffice, especially with regards avoiding these extra tasks in the interview process?

Hi everyone, I’m currently looking for teaching opportunities in Shenyang.

Cuurently holding TEFL with 2 years Teaching experience and I’m interested in finding a suitable position. If anyone knows any reliable recruiters, schools, training centers, or contacts who are hiring teachers in Shenyang, I would really appreciate it if you could hook me up.

Thanks in advance 🙏

Hello all. Im a 25 year old African American with a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and Biochemistry. I have been completing medical research for the past few years in the hopes of attending medical school; however, because of the political nature of my research it had been shafted following Trump's second term. I am fluent in Mandarin Chinese (non-chinese, studied the language for 13 years) and have lived in China previously as an exchange student. I hold a 120-hour TEFL I received online and have 1.5 years of experience as an English Language Interventionist in underserved public schools in the DC area (working primarily with 2nd and 3rd grade children). I would greatly appreciate any insights from current or former TEFL teachers in China on strategies to apply and recieve the best contracts possible with my given skill set. Thanks in advance!!

Straight to the point… I’ve been offered a position as a drama teacher at a training center in Zhejiang Province. These are the conditions:

-Monday to Saturday schedule
- Free accommodation
- 8,000 RMB monthly salary

(non-native and not white)

The offer sounds a bit dodgy to me, but if I decide to accept it, how should I negotiate the salary and benefits without being undervalued?

TEFL in public university, pays 11k and workload is 8 classes (16teaching hours).

Native, 1yr prev exp.

Just feels like a good chunk of work for mid pay.

I was told uni is where it’s at cause of free time but I’m not seeing the vision. Is this offer pretty good, average, decent, or is it kind of bad?

East side of Wuhan.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for job opportunities in China but i can’t find anything in my sector, maybe I’m looking in the wrong places?

I’m a senior engineer (15 years) for injection molding components (not the molds per se, mainly the components) but also in other types of processes, I work mainly in Motorsport but also consumer goods, so I do 3D modeling from class A surfacing, to assembly studies, metal components, frame, cooling system, I did eyewear and helmets, metal packaging products, lawn mowers, home appliances, and the list goes on, I hope you get the idea.

I’ve been looking on LinkedIn but all the jobs seem to be on the software side of things, many on AI, and on China employment specific sites all the jobs are for English teaching.

I’m looking at Shanghai/Zhejiang province because I have friends there (can’t ask them for help finding jobs cause they are in completely different fields)

I speak mandarin pretty ok, but I can’t really write beyond the basics.

Any advice? Thanks for anyone that can help

Long story short: I'm interested in spending some time in China. I have another year left on my China business Visa, which I have from doing some business in China (Medical Device manufacturing and marketing). I do not speak Chinese.

I have extensive experience (10+ years) in the Medical Device industry in the USA, working closely with partners in China. I specialize in Marketing/Product/Sales, where I currently have a Senior Manager/Director level role. I understand the hospital supply chain as well as anyone can - I'm entrepreneurial, resourceful, and well-connected in the industry.

I have to imagine this skillset is of value to some Chinese companies. Can anyone point me in the direction of where I might even find out about opportunities like this? I have looked on the BOSS website but it's all in Chinese.