Job Discussion Forums

[nene]

Hey all - My girlfriend and I are considering teaching English in Taiwan, but the idea of hopping on a plane without a job secured is, well, terrifying. With all this talk of bad recruiters, it seems like there'd be a huge market for honest recruiters/agencies/middlemen...are there any that have built up solid reputations through the years?

Also, while I've got your attention, we're leaning toward Tainan but concerned about the scarcity of jobs. We're fairly well educated (BS and MEd), but no TEFL cert or experience. If we play our cards right, do you think we can save on the order of NT300,000 each in our first year?

Thanks,
-nene

[Girl Scout]

It would be quite reasonable if not easy to save that much money.

As for the resruiter, I don't know anyone who suggest using a recruiter. If you don't want to come without I job I can understand that, however you can research your own job and apply directly with the school. You really don't need a middle man. There are many job sites beside Dave's. Do a search here at Dave's, I know that somebody has made a list before.


I have included one below.

http://www.aacircle.com.au/esl-job-circle.htm

You have apparently done some research. Should you decide to talk to a recruiter make sure you look out for your best interests. The recruiter is trying to make money, even if he has to skim it off your pay. You probably already know what average pay is here. Don't take a job for less then average pay and make sure you know who is going to sponsor your ARC.

[clark.w.griswald]

I would be wary of aacircle. I used to recommend them but I wouldn't any more. From my understanding aacircle no longer does recruitment per se, but they sell you to another recruiter in the country that you want to go to. It is never really a good idea to deal with a recruiter as there are always chances that misunderstandings will arise, by dealing with two different recruiters and the school your chances of some miscommunication mutiplies.

There is a good recruiter in Taiwan, and I believe that he services the southern areas including Tainan. The company is ESL Dewey Consultants. They are the only recruitment company that we recommend over at www.buxiban.com . You might want to take a look at buxiban as there are a number of recruiters that you most certainly do want to avoid.

Tainan is as safe as anywhere on the island.The traffic is likely to be your biggest danger.

[Chris Smith]

Hi nene,
I would agree with all the reservations and advice from the above. I'd also like to recommend a recruiter for Kojen (the company I work for). She recruited me about 8 years ago and we still have regular contact. She's called Luisa Sia and you can contact her at the following e-mail address:

[email protected]

If you'd like to find out more about her or Kojen you can do a search using her name on this site. She's very well respected and will give you all the information you need. I recommend you make a list of questions so she can give you the answers you are looking for.

Happy hunting,

Chris

[Ki]

I'll confirm Clark's information about AACIRCLE. Don't sign anything with anyone before coming here. And don't sign anything with a recruiter at all. They will sometimes disguise themselves by calling themselves other things like consultant companies and even telling you that they are the school itself. You will find out when you go for the interview the real story. Also don't give anyone your passport or degree unless they need it to process your work permit, etc. A favourite trick of recruiters is to secure your documents as a bargaining tool.

[Girl Scout]

I would never, ever suggest using aacicle for securing a job. They do however have a job board on their site that is regularly updated by potential employers. The link I gave goes directly to the job board.

[Aristotle]

As a general rule there is no such thing as a good recruiter on Taiwan.
Please read this.
Success!
Good luck!
A.

[clark.w.griswald]

[enrico palazzo]

Avoid Robert Phillips, in Toulio (Yunlin/Chaiyi Counties)

never got paid.

[Aristotle]