Job Discussion Forums

LV · Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Australia/Hong Kong

Hi Everyone, I am still waiting to hear about a job in Hong Kong. I am wondering what is the current situation for NET jobs? Are there still jobs available in primary schools or should I look somewhere else. The EMB have approved all my documentation and qualification at last but I have not heard anything else.

well-travelled · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 97

Contact EMB again and ask them politely if they have submitted your information to any schools.

They tend to be slow about things!!!!

well-travelled

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

did you have an interview?

They are very unorganized. And slow... but don't let that deter you. There are millions and millions of positions available and no teachers- they are hiring unqualified people at the moment. SO, if you are a qualified teacher then you will absolutly get a job. Once you have been interviewed your name goes into a pool and you are referred to schools. The schools are given your name and they will want to interview you or just bring you over. Something to keep in mind is to talk and discuss your contract/holidays etc.. with the school before you accept. If you don't agree decline the offer and your name will go back into the pool for referral to another school. This is what I did, but I was in hk at the time. I turned down 2 other schools and negotiated a pretty sweet deal with the one Im at now.

And, this is the best paying primary teaching job that i have found in the world- so i wouldnt go anywhere else!!!

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

What are the vacations like on the PNET program? When do you have off? How many days a year?

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

about 10-13 days at christmas, chinese new year and easter
4-6 weeks in the summer(usually 4)
plus all the national holidays and festivals

LV · Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Australia/Hong Kong

Thankyou everyone for your encouragement and support!!! At last I have a contract and am on my way to HKin the new year. I still think the process needs to be streamlined as they must loose hundreds of people who give up and go somewhere else rather than play the paper war. I think the bureaucracy there now knows more about me now than my mother.
Cheers : Laughing

davevarga · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks for the info LV. I've read and heard enough about teaching in HK and most people seem to think that actually being in HK is the best way to get a job rather than waiting for 6 months with bureaucratic bungling. And are you a qualified teacher if you don't mind me asking or are you like me- a BA and a TESOL certificate. And congratulations by the way on finalising your contract. I hope it works out well
The reason I think I'd go to HK before signing anything is the fact that you are there and you can meet face to face with prospective employers and as HKGirlo said you can negotiate until you get what you want.
And that was very useful info. HKGirlo sent as at least I know I'll find something when I get there. And there is a choice.

LV · Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Australia/Hong Kong

Hi again, yes I am a qualified primary teacher with over 20 years classroom experience. I have BA and Grad Dip in Teaching and a TESOL. cert. From what I can gather from others there are lots of jobs but whether you would want them is another thing. If you go through the EMB it is the long road but you will arrive witha visa and not be at risk of being asked to leave. I have a friend who is teaching there now. She was in HK and landed a great job just by being there. Remember what I said about papers though. Until you produce them, all of them, you can't get a visa... no visa no pay. Good luck and I hope you land a good job too.

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

Although there are lots of opportunities here, and people have done very well...please don't think that other people's success is any guarantee that you will find the same favourable conditions. There are as many incidents of people doing well out of just coming here...as there are of people being in serious trouble out of just coming here. Please keep that in mind. Things are just as likely to go well as they are to go badly.

munasa · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 Location: HK

I agree with once again's caution. It can take several months to find a job. You may have a few good interviews, with lots of smiles and indications that you are just what they are looking for, then hear absolutely NOTHING! No contract, no reason given. OR, you could find something really quickly. It's a risk, and you need plenty of money just in case it takes a long time. I know one qualified teacher who eventually got a great job, but it took five months.