Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Folks:

Of course there are pros. and cons. to finding jobs from your home country - but how many of you found jobs in Indonesia by actually looking around on a tourist visa, and how practical (and expensive) is it to do that?

One assumes that Indo being a developing country, you could get by on about $20 U.S. a day to include cheap lodging and food and this is the kind of price ghost pays in countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam....but not having yet been to Indonesia, would like to know if the same kind of prices are a reality there?

Back to the original question? It would be interesting to know about the experiences people had finding jobs when travelling in Indonesia on a tourist visa.

Thanks.

ghost

[rayman]

Yup, did the tourist visa thing when I first arrived here. In fact, I wouldn't recommend any other approach unless you've secured a job from home with a major international school.

If you adopt this method, get in contact with as many schools as possible via email first. Send them your CV, let them know when you're arriving in town and that you'd like to visit or will be free for an interview. That way you hit the ground running. when you get here, check The Jakarta Post, particularly saturday's edition for the classifieds.

On arrival, check into a kost that is central. A decent one can be had for Rp1.5-2 million a month. (PM me if you want some suggestions). Food/drink costs will be about Rp40 000/100 000 a day depending on your penchant for western food. A major expense will also be taxis to get around town attending interviews.

So, US$20 a day = Rp185 000

As a rough daily guide;

accommodation = Rp50 000 - Rp65 000
Food/drink = Rp40 000 - Rp100 000
Taxis = Rp30 000 - Rp100 000
Sim card/pulsa = Rp10 000 - Rp20 000
Internet (cafe) = Rp3000
non food items = Rp20 000
entertainment = whatever's left over

So at the budget end of things, it could be done on $20 a day. However, you would definately need to be pretty frugal. Doubling your budget would make things a lot more comfortable.

[laughing_magpie06]

One thing that is interesting in Indonesia is that it takes about 3 weeks to process a work visa and the schools usually want to you to start immediately so they will actually tell you to work on a tourist visa first. Seems dodgy but it is standard business here. Immigration does do regular raids of language schools but i've yet to meet anyone who was deported or penalised in any way.

[Andror]

Two of the teachers on our staff literally 'walked in the door' and got jobs, so this approach clearly works.

You could try negotiating with an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver for a block of hours or daily rate and probably save some money.

[rayman]

Also, I'm not sure of your quals, but there's a big teacher shortage at the arse end of the market. Whilst further up the echelon there's a shortage of well qualified, good quality teachers. It would be easy and even tempting to accept a job offer on the first day you arrive. But it probably wouldn't be wise. For lack of major restrictions on your lifestyle, a salary of Rp12 million/month should be the minimum to accept. If you have a BA, TESOL and years of experience, then you could look more toward US$1500 and up. If you have a PGCE then US$2000-4000 would be more the range to aim for.

[happy_me]

[ghost]

[rayman]

[happy_me]

Ramaon, you are silly, the only school pays close to that is Chevron school, I know someone who has 2 masters and is a senor teacher for the Swiss German school and he tops out at 2,300 us, looks like your class is not so good after all

[rayman]

Happy_Me, In Jakarta, The British International School, Jakarta International School and Australian International School all pay up to (and in some cases, over) $4000/month.

It would require a BA, PGCE, TESOL certificate and 10+ years experience. Preferably the PGCE would need to be either in primary or English education.

The Swiss German school fits into the lower tier of international schools with regards to pay scale.