Job Discussion Forums

JeffC · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

I will be arriving in Taipei on November 15th, I don't currently have a job lined up. Any suggestions on finding a job, places to stay, things to avoid, etc.

Any help is appreciated, I know this is a bit of a broad topic but any and all advice is appreciated.

nicam · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Bring A LOT of money, like several thousand dollars or a few thousand and a reliable credit card. It's a jungle out here and you may be out of work for months unless you are willing to take the first crap offer that comes your way.

Really look and find the nicest cheapest housing in the best and cleanest area available. Don't be lazy about this. Make sure you are in a good area, north and east seem to be the best IMO. Anything along or west of the red line is gross (with the exception of Shihlin MRT area and Zhongshan MRT area) until you get way up north. East is best, newer and much cleaner.

Also, when you are looking for permanent housing use google translator and translate the housing ads on www.591.co.tw (not sure of exact address), or one of the Taiwanese sites. Write to the people in English and they will find a way to respond, whether they speak decent English or need a translator). Do not use craigslist, tealit, or any of the other foreign sites to find permanent housing (it took us until after we had signed a contract via a craigslist ad to realize we were getting ripped off and now we are out a month's deposit of $1,000 USD upon cancellation of said contract). Unless you are looking to rent a room in someone else's apartment, then it's cool to use the foreign sites.

Good luck!

lloyd christmas · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks for the info nicam.. FYI the address for that site is - http://www.591.com.tw/

JeffC · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

Thanks for the advice.

MrCAPiTUL · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 232 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

I am late on this, but maybe it can help others. So here is my input:
First, I would have to agree w/the aforementioned~
Bring a good amount of Cash (especially for Taipei). It is NOT as cheap here in Taipei as many would lead people to believe. It isn't shit high expensive, either, but it definitely will take a bit of cash to keep you going for a while. Actually, some things here are the same price as in Japan thinking about it.... Anyway, Realistically, you can probably find a job within 2 months if you are searching and then will have a 1 month lag time before getting paid.

My other advice to you, since you are not lined up with a job before coming here:

Get a VISITOR VISA from the TWese embassy nearest you BEFORE YOU COME! Do NOT come in on the Visa Exemption! If you get the 60day tourist Visa, you can renew it w/out leaving the country. Additionally, if you get a job here, you will not have to leave the country again. With the Visa exemption, or the short term landing visa, you will have to do a visa run, which will cost you more money yet~.

Also: Make sure you have all your educational documents with you in hand.

Also: if you are planning to teach English, then get a health check as soon as you arrive at a local hospital that handles health checks for foreigners. This will prevent any bottlenecks in your process regarding start dates for employment. If you get a white collar job, then you wont have to worry about this (haha. gotta love discrimination).

Also: when getting an apartment, try to find one that has a Trash Bin IN the apartment building so you can throw your trash out any time of the day. This may sound stupid, but if you don't, you could end up with a pile of trash sitting in your apartment until you can meet the trash car that only comes 2 times a day (in my neighborhood, both times are at night - merely 3 hours apart: 18:30 and 21:30). So, if you work, it IS possible to miss that car and have a trash issue.