Job Discussion Forums

travelinbri · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 29 Location: South Korea

I keep hearing that the best way to find a good job in Taiwan is to come over with a month or two worth of living expenses and then look for the best thing out there, whichj to a large extent makes sense. I guess what I am curious about is if I want to work in a smaller town, closer to the mountains, I dont mind the isolation, but are those jobs accessible, easily available, or are thos the most competitive? Will I take a big hit on salary by working in a "smaller pond?" Do towns like that in Taiwan hire ESL Teachers?

Thanks for any and all advice,

Sincerely,

-TBri

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

You'll find work almost anywhere here. Small towns (aside from Hualien) are usually not competitive at all. Not many foreigners choose to work in them. Not much to do, not atttractive at all and English speakers are few and far between. You'll likely find a job right away. Suggest you come and look around first though.

travelinbri · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 29 Location: South Korea

When you say not competitive, do you mean that salaries are not competitive? I will get paid less at schools in out of the way rural areas? I thought someone said you could make more working in rural areas (not that that is the reason I would choose such an area).

-TBri

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

No. What I meant was you won't need to compete for work. They'll be lookin for you.

Wonder · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 109

I took a job at a smaller town outside Chiayi and for me it was a mistake. It was my first job in Taiwan and I don't recommend it. The schools are normally smaller and you will most likely be the only native speaker there. Other than the boss and the kids, don't expect much communication in English.

I am not one for a lot of attention, and when you are in the smaller towns, you get A LOT of attention. Every where you go, everything you do, there are people watching...most of the time they can't believe you actually know how to; drive a scooter; use a computer; eat; pay for things.

It was not a horrible exp. for me, but certainly not on my list of things to do again. Some people say they like it. I can't imagine how anyone could go from being able to do everything in their home country to doing very little in Taiwan's rural county towns, and saying you like it, unless of course you are married.

So ask a lot of questions and be very prepared to isolate yourself. My advice would be to choose a bigger city, not unlike Chiayi, that is less than an hour's drive from the mountains. That way you can have your cake and eat it too.

travelinbri · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 29 Location: South Korea

Thanks for your info, I should say as a teacher and a volunteer I have worked and lived in some pretty isolated places in Asia, so this is what I am looking for, however, I am very curious how you got compensated comared to what other foreigners were making in Taiwan, if you dont mind the personal question.

If you do send me a private message and I will sendyou my email. Are you still there now?

Thanks

-TBri

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

I can tell you the compensation in out of the way places will not be any better than major centers. In fact, it may not even be as good. Yes, foreigners are more numerous in the major centers, but so is industry and money. There is a big difference between the city and hinterland here. Really small places are often economically depressed areas. I really think you should come here before you decide that the boonies are really for you.

travelinbri · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 29 Location: South Korea

That makes sense, I would not take the job there to make more money, but I do need to make money (one of the reasons I woukld take a job in Taiwan over mainland China), so I am more worried about getting fairly compensated, or even well compensated, but not compensated more for being in an out of the way place.

-TBri

kait · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Lungtan, Taiwan

I know that Hess pays its teachers a bit more for working in rural areas. The cost of living is a bit lower as well. Of course, you can't charge as much for private tutoring and such in rural areas. It's a mixed bag.

travelinbri · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 29 Location: South Korea

Good info, I didn't know that about Hess.

About how much more?

-TBri

kait · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Lungtan, Taiwan

There are places that pay more than Hess. Rural Hessers get 560 NT to start, then a raise of 20-30 after 6 months.