Job Discussion Forums

[travisncali]

MOD EDIT To briefly describe my past questions I have put a short list below. For those who are veterans and actually can help, I would appreciate you looking at my first post, so you are not redundant with answers and comments and waisting your time. Thanks a million. I appreciate and welcome all replies and help; inlcuding those from pessimistic educators .

1. Should I just show up in Taipei without a job contract?
2. Is it normal to take a month after an interview to begin work?
3. How long does it take to find a great job?
4. In Korea it is almost impossible to leave your contract and still work in the country within your visa time, How is the situation in Taiwan?
5. How much money do I need when I first show up? I will be staying at a Hostel, drinking a few at night, and I eating somewhat decently.
6. I am trying to budget about 12000NT for a place in Taipei, will that get me a decent furnished accommadation?

Thank you everyone for the help!!!
Cheers,
Travis

[BigWally]

many of these questions have been answered, and you could find more detailed answers by doing some searches..none the less, the short version is as follows

1) many people say yes, show up with no job and you can find one

2) not always, some schools may need you to fill a class immediately

3) depending on job availability, time of year, and your defention of great

4) if the school you're working for sponsored your ARC you may have a tough time quitting and finding a new job before your ARC is cancelled (usually not recommended from posts i've read, but i'll leave this one to veterans)

5) $1000 - $3000 CDN/USD, opinions vary based upon lifestyle

6) not sure about rent prices in Taipei, i've heard its more expensive than Kaohsiung, and $12000NT is a decent price for a 1 bedroom in Ktown, but i'll leave this one for Taipei locals

Ganbei!

[travisncali]

Thanks BigWally, I appreciate the time. I have been searching all over for the answers and have found it easier just to ask and see what the veterans are saying. Hopefully, I will find out more information from the Taipei peeps. So how is Ktown, btw. I have not heard much about it. Most of the ads try to spruce it up by saying that it is near Kenting beach national park. That is actually one of the big reasons why I stayed away from searching the area to much hype about the beach and not the city.

Thanks again. BigWally. Good luck in your future!

[TaoyuanSteve]

[Dr_Zoidberg]

[TaoyuanSteve]

[kuberkat]

THE ART OF WAR IN INTERVIEWING

1. Logistics
Be sure to arrive at a time when the demand is high: late August or late January.

2. Allies And Enemies
Have at least five promising prospects lined up- meaning they have already offered you the job and you have said you would like to meet them in person first and check out the environment. Let each prospective employer know that you are considering several attractive offers.

3. Ammunition
Have your ducks in a row. That means your paperwork is ready and you have a jaw-dropping portfolio to show each employer. This portfolio would include a well-formulated cover letter and CV, at least one written letter of reference, a nice little essay about why you would like to teach English and maybe even a lesson plan. Since we live in the digital age, a (sterling) demo lesson on DVD would never go unnoticed. Also have at least twelve passport photos with you during any interview. You won't regret organizing a mobile phone line as soon as you arrive, since you will be doing a fair bit of hustlin'. (See, even talking about it makes you feel good, don't it?)

4. Supplies
If at all possible, be financially prepared to sit it out. I have been out of Taiwan for a while, so my estimates are a bit off, but do be sure you won't need to take a loan that will bind you to an employer.

5. Weaponry
Do your homework. Consider a few ways to present a lesson that may be useful in your teaching demos and first weeks' classes. To make your lessons effective, you will need to introduce and explain the principles, then give your students a chance to practice them, and finally test their ability to apply the principle. This is often done with activities and games. While the game should be fun, keep the focus on the principles taught.

6. Armour
As for any interview, you do want to put your best foot forward. And while you can't judge a book by its cover, better covers win more readers. Meaning? Look your best. Appearances count for a lot in Asian society at all times. Though most schools have quite an informal environment, be sure to be neat and presentable and as fresh as Taiwanese climate allows. Do some spying to find out what the dress code is.

7. Intelligence
Know your enemy. At least in a manner of speaking: of course it would be great if your employer is not an enemy but an ally. Do find out all you can about the employer: their website, online forums and also by interviewing their current employees frankly. This will help you anticipate future problems, know what they want from you and what needs negotiating.

8. Negotiations
Now that you have made yourself mouthwateringly irresistible to each prospective employer, you will be offered positions by all of them. This- and no earlier- is the time to negotiate. This swings the balance in your favour: you are the champion looking for an employer that meets your needs.

Choose wisely.

[BigWally]

[travisncali]

Thank you everyone for your input and replies. I feel great about arriving soon. I just signed a three day contract that in return is paying for my plane ticket and a few nights in Taipei. So if all goes bad all I have to do is fly to Thailand and scuba dive for the winter. I appreciate the detail that you all put into to helping me!!!!! I hope that I will be able to repay the favor some day in the future. Thanks again!

Travis

[markholmes]

[travisncali]

Well Mark, I have been searching for employment for awhile now and found a school that was in need of a teacher for only a few days of work. I negotiated a contract with them, where they are paying for my hotel in Taipei and board, plus a few extra nights. My wage is a round-trip ticket from LAX. I found it reasonable considering my case. I scratch their back and work my ass off, and I get to come to Taipei for nearly free. It will give me a chance to see if Taipei is really the city in Taiwan that I want to teach in. It also gives me a great reference from a Taiwanese school.

[Toe Save]

[markholmes]

It's sounds like a cool deal, but I have to agree with Toe Save. But then again if you can fly to Taipei without parting with any cash, then I guess you can't lose.

[travisncali]

Well, guys(and girls) I hope that it all works out, too. It is off the topic though and I would like to stick with the orginal topic if we could. My concern is not the contract that I have already signed and the plane ticket that is already paid for. It is with everything else that I mentioned before.

[Toe Save]