You're a fine poster but first decisions should be based on what folks want to do rather than "WHERE".

No doubt. But I've spend a lifetime trying to answer my own formative questions: Who am I? How should I live?

I would not presume to attempt to answer those questions for anyone else.

My post was an attempt to aid new FTs in locating Language School jobs without the use of a recruiter. Working in 3rd Tier cities in China and rural areas is certainly an amazing experience, one that I myself have enjoyed. It is, however, difficult to find information online about these thousands of areas and even more difficult to credentialize the information.

I don't think there is anything wrong with first setting foot in China in Qinghai and venturing into a distant city to teach. I simply don't know how to advise a new FT who 'wants to do' his teaching in those regions to locate and evaluate those positions and locations.

I can only advise him not to believe anything that a recruiter tells him about the position, the school, and area.

For this morning's devil advocacy, what does a potential NES FT do if he actually prefers to work for a private language school, perhaps because the salary is higher than at public schools, or because she prefers working with young children.

All the chain schools, EF, Meten, Wall Street, New Oriental, etc. are always hiring. They each have branches in just about every first and most second tier cities in China.

The first decision you must make is WHERE in China you want to work. Do your research about life in China, how cities vary in living conditions, weather, number of expats, etc. Be honest about yourself. Don't tell yourself you are looking for a 'genuine China experience' if you can't live without Starbucks, cheese and the company of other Westerners.

Once you have chosen one or two locations, locate ALL the chain schools in that city as well as any large unaffiliated language schools. You can accomplish this by simply googling the city and the chain name. Collect ten or twenty schools to contact: the branch in that city, NOT the headquarters. Do not respond to their advertisements; that will direct you to headquarters. Be clear about the schools' actual location, use google maps to see their distance from downtown. Now email your resume to each of them with a picture. Do not provide more data yet.

Almost every school will contact you immediately. Express your interest and gather as much information as you can about salary, housing, hours and benefits IN WRITING BY EMAIL. Skype interviews are fine, but confirm employment data by email attachments. Do not provide your passport data yet, if pressed give them a copy with passport number and date of birth obscured. If they refuse to speak to you without full passport data, move on.

Once you have collected the job offer information from several companies and you feel one employer is preferable, ask them about the Z visa process. If they are clear about providing you a Z visa, you can now provide them with your passport data. Do not eliminate the other employers yet. Feel free to negotiate. DO NOT fly to China without a Z visa in your passport.

If your target employer tries to change the game as you wait for the Z visa letters, feel free to move on to other names on your list. Use this time to acquire your criminal background check at your local police and a notarized copy of your college degree. You can 'accept' as many jobs as you like up until the time that you provide the Chinese embassy/consulate with your Z visa application.

Never forget: as a NES FT candidate willing to work at a private school chain in China you are Adele at the Grammys. Everyone wants a piece of you.

Great post!!