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.