Job Discussion Forums

K-J · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4

I applied to Hess because it seemed like the best option for someone like me (I am 35, white American male, bachelor's degree with no teaching experience or certifications), and was summarily rejected after sending in the application, pictures, and copy of my degree.

Are there any schools that have similar qualifying criteria, or is it too competitive right now for me to have any chance at getting hired?

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

Why were you rejected? They normally give a reason, even if it is vague. Or why do you think you were rejected? Honestly this will help if you know/were given a reason because you may face the same problem at other chain schools. Joy and Kojen are two other big chain schools in Taiwan you can try.

K-J · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4

Thanks for the quick reply.

This was their response:

"We have received your application to teach for Hess Educational Organization in Taiwan. During this time, we have had the opportunity to interview many well-qualified and enthusiastic applicants making our employment decisions very difficult. Unfortunately, you did not advance to the next stage of our selection process.

Your application has been reviewed against our selection criteria and has not advanced to the next stage of our recruitment process. Please don't feel too bad about this - we have over 5,000 applicants a year for around 250 positions, and so we do only choose a small percentage for our program. "

I sent a reply requesting a less vague response; I'll update this thread when/if they get back to me.

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

OK, sounds like perhaps so many applicants and they can afford to be picky. I was rejected because I am a little direct/straight forward and even though I had worked for them years ago they don't want me back because they prefer "fresh" people who won't cause problems. Try Kojen and Joy. Joy is doing better than HESS now I believe and I often see ads for them around.

zipper · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 237

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

K-J, I would stick to Taipei. There are jobs outside of Taipei, but if you look around you will notice that it is becoming difficult to land jobs in Taiwan. This doesn't mean it isn't possible, but make sure you are looking in Taipei or Taichung. This is where the majority of the chain schools are and where you'll find the most advertised work. You may also want to consider China or Korea as there is plenty of work there and most of it pays similar to what Taiwan does, unless of course you wanted to come to Taiwan for other reasons.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Try Kojen. They are better to work for then Hess anyway;
http://www.kojenenglish.com/

K-J · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4

I DO want to come to Taipei, so I have that going for me.

Kojen's website states that they require a minimum of 6 months teaching experience; I have none Sad

I am attempting to apply to Joy as we speak (if their website will cooperate).

K-J · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4

Here is her response:

"I go through hundreds of applicants each week and unfortunately, I no longer have your documents to review so I can't tell you specifically what your application was lacking. The majority of the time though it is competition. Since the recession, we have had a large number of applicants apply with a BEd or a TESL certificate and/or much teaching experience and experience with children. This coupled with travel experience is ideal for our type of position. If you do not already have one, you may want to look at getting a TESL certificate to improve your credentials. Oxford Seminars offers a great course and will help you prepare for the transition."

zipper · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 237

I have all the above except for the TEFL certificate. I think it has a lot to do with the interviewer's feeling about the applicants he/she is interviewing which makes the interview highly subjective; rather than based solely on qualifications.

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

I think it is a sign that there are heaps of people looking to come here to teach now. I expect that ads will start stating that TEFL certification is preferred.

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

Bottom line OP, you didn't get selected because of the lack of teaching experience.

In a fiercely competitive market place an absolute newcomer will be rejected given market conditions at the moment. On top of that the lack of cultural experience, quite possibly the lack of a BEd rather than a BA or BSc, and you're not going to get a sniff.

As most people in Taiwan know, Hess is by no means the best place to work force but can be a good start point. If it has 5000 applicants then it is basically spoilt for choice.

The days of single, white men with a degree in home economics coming to Taiwan and freely scoring jobs are over. If you're serious about Taiwan then supplement the CV. If you have no teaching experience then find some, even if it's part-time work somewhere.

As you were told by Hess, from reading between the lines your applicant did not stand out.

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

Yeah, I'd say the reason you weren't hired is:
Hess now has 5000 applicants competing for 250 job slots, resulting in 20-to-1 competition for each slot, and sorry, your qualifications just aren't good enough to beat out 19 other people.

You pretty much have to be a professional EFL teacher to get hired in this market (certifications AND experience preferred). I have certifications and experience, I'm in Taiwan at this very moment, and I still can't find a job paying more than 25,000 a month.

Sounds like the both of us should be heading over to China instead...

BTW, tomorrow is Job interview #8 in a row. At this point, I'm not seriously expecting anything, just hoping to get lucky. I've been rejected from seven schools in a row (AFTER being called up for interview and teaching demo -- I have obviously applied to more than just seven schools recently). And some of those were pretty depressing jobs -- I got rejected by an illegal kindergarten offering 450 NTD an hour out in the middle of nowhere. Apparently they found a professional EFL teacher willing to take 450 NTD an hour and risk deportation. Go figure.

Guangdong, and a better situation, beckon...

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

You dont need teaching experience to get a job, you need a bucket of luck too.

The entire TEFL market has fallen through in Taiwan. Saturation point has been reached and very good professionals now are struggling to find work.

To think people are thinking that NT$30,000 is acceptable now is unthinkable to just 2-3 years ago when even a new arrival would expect double that.

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984