Job Discussion Forums

[sbjenn27]

I am new to the site and posting for the first time.

Yesterday, I emailed my resume, etc., in response to a job posting in Hanoi. Today, I received an email basically saying they look forward to working with me, asking me to send them a criminal background check and health report, and a contract.

I have intermittent experience teaching over the past 15 years, and taught in South Korea in the early 90s for six months, but teaching has never been my primary profession.

Does this seem unusual? I am skeptical of a job offer without an interview. Any feedback is much appreciated.

[lucreziaborgia]

sbjenn27, You need to reply to your possible employer with questions that you'd ask any potential employer. A telephone interview is usually standard prior to being made an offer. You need to feel free to ask for clarification and confirmation regarding your possible employment contract. As well, you will need to bring the originals of all your documentation to work here and that includes a police check, medical check and qualifications. It is easier to get these while in your country of origin than orginise them after you've arrived in Vietnam.
The health check required to work in Vietnam can be extensive so I advise you to ask your employer to send the requirements to you. All your documentation needs to be authenticated by the provider.
The legal requirements for working here have changed and you need to be aware of them before coming here to work.

[Jerullan]

[BenE]

[mjc_mjc]

Can I ask who the employer/school is?

[sbjenn27]

The employer is the Overseas Education Consultancy. I wrote back to ask a bunch of questions, and as seems necessary and common in Vietnam, you don't sign the contract until you arrive in the country and actually have a face-to-face interview.

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

[lucreziaborgia]

sbjenn77, I was sent my contract by email to sign and return to my employer while I was overseas. After I returned the signed copy of my contract I was emailed a copy of my visa. I was told to present both documents to Immigration at the airport on arrival in Vietnam. Immigration had the same documents as me. This was a simple process but I was employed directly by a school - not a recruiter - and it was also 3 years ago.
I would say that you do not have a firm offer of work and thus should proceed with caution. As I understand it from some people who have arrived recently, they have gone through the same process as me re being offered work as a direct hire from a school or university. I don't know anyone who has gone through a recruiting agency.
You can get a medical check in-country easily but in your situation I would have it done and authenticated in your country of origin. That will save time if you arrive and find you don't have work.

[sbjenn27]

Thanks, lucrezia. I have thought about the possibility that I might go all the way to Hanoi and find myself not employed. The employer has responded to my many emails and questions without delay, which puts me at ease a bit. They've asked for the documents they need from me in order to get my work visa and they have given me a contract to sign.

Also, I have a friend who has lived in Vietnam for three years, so if I find myself jobless and homeless, I'll have some help while I figure things out. So, all in all, it's a risk I'm willing to take.

[Danaa]

[lucreziaborgia]

sbjenn27, you need to be aware that it is not a straightforward process 'to crash with friends' here. You need to be registered with the local police before you can live or stay in a house/hotel or apartment. The owner of whichever has to do this. If you aren't registered the owner and your friend could face some difficulties.
If you are coming to Hanoi you will need cash as there are very few retail outlets that have credit card machines. If you stay in a guesthouse or a small hotel, you will have to pay in cash. Only the more expensive hotels accept credit cards. You will probably have to pay between $12 - $16 a night for a room in central Hanoi. You need to make sure your money is secure and the best way to do that would be to have an account with the HSBC or the ANZ Bank before you arrive. Both banks have offices and ATM machines in Hanoi and HCMC. The fees charged by both are high and you will pay a conversion fee to withdraw money from an overseas account. However, this is preferable to having your money lost or stolen. You cannot open a bank account with a Vietnamese bank (Vietcom Bank is the best) until you are employed. You have to provide your contract (with your employer's stamp), a letter of introduction from your employer (with stamp), your passport and a statement of monthly earnings each time you deposit your salary. Your employer may help in setting up an account with a bank and that is a question I'd be asking the recruiting company with whom you are in negotiations. Some employers will provide electronic transfers to your Vietnamese bank account but that will take time to set up. Once your account is set up, you will be given a bank card that will enable you to access your money at ATM machines and Vietcom Bank has the most ATM machines of all Vietnamese banks.
A lot of employers pay in cash but then you have a problem with securing your money hence a bank account is desirable.
Traveller's Cheques are accepted by most average size businesses but can be a problem. You need secure access to cash and it is better to safe than sorry even if it does cost you banking fees while you're getting established.

[inky]

A few updates to the above information re: Hanoi.

GH prices have gone way up, you're probably looking at closer to $20/night or more for cleanliness and security, wifi, etc. Less money, you take your chances. Many of these inexpensive GH's accept credit cards (probably MOST of them do), or it's an easy chore to go to ANZ at Hoan Kiem Lake and get a cash advance in 10 minutes