Job Discussion Forums

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hello Thailand Forum:

It hasn't been discussed much here lately, so I thought I'd bring up the 'touchy' topic of applying to Thai schools online.

While I was still teaching in Russia (back in January) I sent out roughly 40+ resumes to various schools in Thailand that had advertised available positions.

Out of those 40+ online applications, I got roughly 10 replies.

And out of those 10 replies, 8 schools were offering salaries in the 30,000 Baht range or less. In other words, it seems like the schools that take the time to reply to your e-mail are generally the ones offering the lowest salaries.

Out of the 2 schools that replied that were offering closer to 40K, I eventually chose one of them, but not until I had actually sat down and discussed contract details face-to-face. Now, with a tad over 40K net in my pocket every month, I'm glad I waited and didn't 'jump' at the first offer.

The point of my post is simple: Don't feel frustrated or obligated to accept an offer over the internet out of fear that you won't find something better once you get here. Arrange interviews, be gracious, and thank them for their replies --- but don't sign your life away for 25K until you're on the ground here and have had a chance to scout around a bit.

The schools offering better deals and higher salaries want to meet you in person; to see what you look like in a tie or a dress, to know that they can depend on you to show up for class, and to make sure that you know something about how to teach English. Remember; Thailand attracts all kinds of 'different' characters. You can't really blame school managers for wanting to play it safe, and they can't really blame you for wanting a decent salary.

And don't lose sleep over your visa and/or work permit. You can sort all that out after you get here! It's a minor pain in the rear, but you'll get through it somehow if a school wants to hire you.

Just my 2 Baht for ya on a rainy Saturday night in Bangkok after a cold Beer Chang loosened my tongue.
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[Sheep-Goats]

I'd like to second this.

If you wait to start your Thai job search until AFTER you're in Thailand (on a tourist visa is okay) and AFTER you have a Thai cell number, you can expect about 10,000 more baht a month in your pocket as a result. So long as you can get yourself together enough to wear a tie and iron your shirt before your interviews, that is.

Partly, this is due to the way Thai people normally deal with difficult situations (like reading emails prepared in English from people with degrees that are greater than or equal to their own), which is by not dealing with them at all. They like to chat though, and even the most weasely looking ill-shaven grendel gets called cute once a day by some Thai somewhere in Bangkok -- so it's to your advantage to be here first no matter how you look at it.