Job Discussion Forums

MissWelsh · Joined: 10 Oct 2013 Posts: 18

Thanks Mark, some food for thought there.

It strange to be looking for work in a country that would actually prefer a woman. I dont know how many jobs I lost to the 'male teacher' back home.

Of those qualities you mentioned I can confidently say that I am young, confident, happy and professional. With regards to being attractive the interviewr at the centre clear thought I was, complementing me on my hair colour and telling me I was 'So pretty' so I'm guessing I'm not a troll, unless she was lying through her teeth to butter me up Confused

Although I'm sure she wasn't as even though the contract was dodgy, she has been very kind and understanding. So since I tick those boxes hopefully a job will come around soon. I hear that kindergarten jobs aren't as sought after as others so fingers crossed that's true and I won't have much competition.

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

I have to respectfully disagree with Mark regarding finding your way around town on motorbike (I can't comment on the job scene besides saying that I am counting my lucky stars every day). Perhaps it was due to always cycling in Japan on some narrow roads with lots of larger vehicles, but I found that it took me less than a week to get used to riding a moto.

The streets can be and ARE confusing at first, but that's true of any country with driving. Honestly, I found it refreshing how the streets actually have names instead of a completely arbitrary set of numbers where directions can only be given relative to nearby landmarks. I know a previous poster said how having so many roads named "Nguyen -----" is initially confounding, but I've done alright with it and so have the millions living here, so it's no insurmountable obstacle. Go to FAHASA, get a map for like 5,000vnd and get lost before leapfk.

I do recommend, however, that anyone who wants to work here to not choose Vietnam as their first choice destination. Unlike the provided housing and usually generous full-time guarantees with health insurance of Korea, Japan and, from what I can tell, better parts of China, Vietnam usually only offers you a job with finding a place to live being considered Not Their Problem.

mark_in_saigon · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 837

LarueLarry · Joined: 05 Jul 2013 Posts: 32

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

Yes but it's also why it's not exactly newbie-friendly when you don't know what's a good place/location etc. etc.

Not everyone can take the full whammy of a new culture, language, lifestyle, job AND finding a place to live and call home when they barely know how to get to the nearest supermarket. Especially some of these guys who come fresh off the plane with nothing but a BA and/or CELTA to their name.

skarper · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 477

To clarify some confusion.

I think Vietnam is NOT the place to try to get a contract straight off the plane. Better to arrive with some savings and find your feet first - try a few employers out, see which part of the city you like and so on.

Then if you want a full time gig with full time pay and full time commitment by all means take one if you can get it. However - most schools who try to sign you up like that from overseas or when you've just arrived have an ulterior motive. They will pay a lower rate or demand a lot of extra unpaid work, or send you to public schools which I would just flat out refuse to do.

People who NEED to make a high wage so they can save/pay off debts etc are best doing that in Korea. I wouldn't recommend Japan unless it has changed a lot in the last 5 or so years. Pay was subsistence when I was trying to find a job there. In Korea if you make an effort you can save 500-1000USD a month - month in month out. Few manage to do that here in their first year and what they can save tends to be offset by set up costs.

cb400 · Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 274 Location: Vientiane, Laos

Vietnam is not the place to be if you are looking for a 'stress' free life. After 7 years of life in Vietnam, Canada is as stress free as you can get.

Anh Dep · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 56 Location: Bangkok Thailand

Anyone who says the traffic does'nt stress them out must be zoned out.I try every day to not get stressed out by it, but when someone drives out a small hem then stops in right in front of me and gives that stupid look of, "what did I do wrong" it gets me started, then its downhill from there.

vabeckele · Joined: 19 Nov 2010 Posts: 439

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

Prof.Gringo

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:19 am Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:21 am Post subject:

I have a private student who is a lawyer, and he read a contract from one of these "schools" and he said it's a joke, not even worth the paper it's written on.

If you don't have a Work Permit, the contract is useless and a complete joke.

VietCanada · Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 590

I started EFl in2000, May first. I think a I read a couple contracts out of curiosity.

If I want to work for the school I sign it but then I do whatever the heck I want to anyway. It's not like simply going to work, teaching and and going home is an issue. I expect to be paid in full and on time. I expect to be paid for all duties. That is something i make clear in an initial interview. I don't work for free. I don't care what the task is or the school's opinion of how easy it is.

I'm always looking for my next job. I've stopped working for three different schools so far this school year. At the moment I'm happy with both schools I work for. I have my eye on a couple other schools that have expressed interest in me working for them but I think I can continue the relationship I have with the two schools I now work for. One of them is new to me and the other I have worked for for three years now.

Contract shmontract. As Prof. Gringo's student says they aren't worth the paper cost. Often they are just an attempt to take advantage of a culture that values written contracts. Don't be that guy.