Job Discussion Forums

harmonica · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

I have decided to pack up & head to Taipei. I would like to go ASAP, but I have read that winter is not a good time to look for work. I have a temp job that ends in June or July. Should I wait until summer? I have a BA & a yr of teaching experience in Korea. I would like to avoid teaching kindies & would like to find a job within 2 mos. Any advice?

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

harmonica · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

Thanks Rooster. From what I had read I was under the impression that the peak hiring season was at summer's end. I'm trying to tie up loose ends & hope to be there toward the end of Feb. Hopefully that won't be too late.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

August is probably the best time to find a job in Taiwan. Unless you have a Master's degree in TESOL you will likely be teaching children. If you want to teach adults, go to China.

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

I actually agree with Jzer on this one. August/September has the most job openings. February is ok, but not nearly as good.

harmonica · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

Thanks JZer & dangerousapple. I guess I better make a decision soon.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

The one downside to Taiwan is that many people have to work three part time jobs to get enough hours.

Teaching in China can be a lot easier.

harmonica · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

I ruled out China because of its Internet censorship policies. I recently launched my first website and I am thinking about creating two more. I think they may hard to manage from China.

nebrie · Joined: 01 Nov 2011 Posts: 1

I would prefer to arrive in early December rather than August but the upside is that I'll have free rent and utilities in the middle of Taipei. Would it still be tough to find one good full time job in a month or two?

Taiwanease Guy · Joined: 23 Jan 2013 Posts: 11 Location: Taiwan

phdinfunk · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 69

Maybe there are two Taiwans. I hear about this, but none of my pretty large group of foreigner friends who have all been around for 4+ years are in this boat.

I'm thinking that a lot of newcomers get the shaft. Seldom does it seem, do most foreigners know what they actually CAN do here. New guys especially, only ever know what's on forums and I think it's reasonable to say forums are often highly HIGHLY skewed... it's a pretty severe sampling bias of people who post here.

I sometimes long on after one of my beautiful bike rides during my Tuesday off (I work four days a week for 60K in the countryside) and try to balance the view a bit.

Mostly, I'd say go outside Taipei. Taipei ren seem pretty jaded about foreigners by now anyways, and the real Taiwanese, the folks who will bend over backwards to help a stranger, don't seem as easy to find there. Me and my girlfriend call Taipei JiCheGueiGuo (Motorcycle Ghost Country) which means it's a separate country and the people there are frigging uptight!

But just remember, most of the very happy foreigners I know living here for many years NEVER post on ANY of the forums like this or forumosa.... EVER.... so, you're dealing with a huge sampling bias.

Anyways, carry on everyone. I'll come back again in six months or a year, probably.

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

Hi I am a Brit,highly experienced teacher,white but in my 50s.teaching in CHina now but looking at Taiwan for next year.However I DON"T wanna teach kids.and I gather getting a uni gig in Taiwan is pretty near impossible.I have an MA and a TEFL cert and 30 years experience. ALL the jobs online are via recruiters (yuk)
any advice gang?

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

Ok thanks I will do that. Is Juky a good time to get hired?

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh