Job Discussion Forums

[aahz]

Hello, all. I am coming to Taiwan in a week, and although I'm sure there's plenty of posts on this subject, I was wondering if anyone in the area had a few hours free and could offer me help. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get around by myself, but a few words from seasoned veterans about where to go/what to do for a first time arrival would be pretty handy.
Thanks, all!

[JZer]

It would be best if you told us where you are going to be?

[aahz]

Oh, excellent point.
My first stop will be Taipei. I will be landing at the airport on Tuesday.

[JZer]

I can probably meet with you next Saturday, June 12.

[aahz]

Thanks, JZ!

So far, my impressions of Taipei.
1: I thought it was a biker convention, there are so many mopeds.
2: The most prevalent local institution seems to be the ancient revered 7-11.
3: The people are incredibly friendly. I haven't had anyone try to force stuff upon me, and they've always tried to help me. They laugh whenever I try Chinese, but I laugh too.
Anyways, I am going to job offers around the area, but if anyone is in the area and can help me out with finding employment or giving advice, feel free to PM me. Thank you all!

[Dr_Zoidberg]

Well, if it's buxiban work you're looking for, find out where the public schools are. Find a public school, and just walk around the neighbourhood with your resume in hand.

Good luck.

[FoundWaldo]

Thats how I found my job!

[aahz]

I am employed!!!

Let me explain how my trip has happened thus far. Prepare for rambling.

First day I arrived in Taiwan, collapsed into my hotel at midnight exhausted (having dragged my luggage from the Taipei station all the way to Taiyuan street). Second day I spent happily touring Taipei, going to museums and a night market. Third day, exhausted, I took a bus down to Taichung to meet with a recruiter. Fourth day, I spent the morning waiting for my recruiter to get me an interview that did not go through, went to one at a local school and dropped some resumes off around, and looked at Taichung's museum. That night, the same recruiter tells me that a colleague recruiter had a contract up in Taoyuan. I agreed to go to a job interview the very next morning, then collapsed to sleep at around 9 PM (the time shift still has me kicked in the butt!).
I went to the interview in the morning, not really that hopeful but keeping an open mind. The school was very wealthy/upper class, the teacher I met (Duncan) was very awesome and easygoing (a Canadian patriot who knew about Pirate Bay and had been here for 8 years), and I had a great time. Then, I was pretty much offered a contract.
There were some downsides to this whole process. For one, it is a part-time job during this summer. They definitely need more teachers in August though. So basically for the next 8 weeks, I'm doing summer school teaching and getting to know the area. The contract extends into full time for the rest of the year, if that makes sense.
But now that I'm hired, in Taoyuan, I am very happy. Even if it is part time work, I will still make enough to pay rent (NT$7000 minus a $3000 stipend means $4000, or about $140 american a month). The school is in walking distance of the apartment. I found out there's a gym at the local mall, and I feel very happy with my room.
The thing that makes me most happy is the idea that instead of spending my summer at home, struggling to find a teaching job or anything to do, instead I am here in a very foreign place and having a great time. I can look back years from now and think about this experience.

The entire hiring went so fast, wham bam shazam, that even though I wish it was full time I'm not exactly disappointed. I mean, at least this way I can ease into teaching full time, get a better grasp at teaching ESL students and practice my method (since I am used to teaching math). I am still a little bit wow-ed by it though.

Anyways, if people are interested about how this entire thing happened to me, or are looking for jobs themselves, the recruiter I mentioned was esldewey. My first recruiter from them, David, tried very hard but was running into walls (although maybe something would have eventually happened, since I only really gave him one day ), and then Sonia came in with the contract at the private school that I am now going to be working at. There's actually room for other teachers at the school I'm at... But I think you have to have a teaching credential from the states since it is not a buxiban.

[creztor]

Hope you have a working permit. Going by what you said it sounds like you are working illegally for those 8 weeks. Either way, best of luck.

[aahz]

Oh I'm not actually working yet. I'm not actually going to begin working until July 7th or so. In the meantime they're working on getting my work permit/ARC. So I'm pretty sure it's legal.

[zipper]

I am really happy for you, and I know the feeling of experiencing another country and culture for the first time- the euphoria. It happened to me many years ago, too. There is so much for you to explore and do. Get yourself a cheap scooter; that is a must. Go and visit the mountain areas and explore the fauna and unique temples. Check out some of the pubs and meet other expats. Check out the pretty beetle nut girls and the others that you will eventually encounter. Try out a beetle nut at least once to experience the rush-just don�t swallow too much of it. Eating out here is very cheep. If you like chicken and rice; just look for one of the small eateries that sell lunch boxes and say �EE Ga Jee Twei Fan� Chicken and rice with vegetables. I use these phonics symbols because I assume that you haven�t studied any mandarin yet. If you understand, �Ji Tui fan� Don�t forget to try pearl milk tea �Jin Ju Nai Ta�. It is delicious! Visit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. There is a public library there where you can check out videos of Taiwan�s history. Sometime down the road culture shock will settle in and the honeymoon will be over, so prepare for it. Welcome to the subtropics. Teach and have fun.

[aahz]

Thanks, zipper! I AM going through some euphoria. Today I had a great time. In the morning I tried out "king charlie's" and had a milk tea...it was pretty great! I hope I don't become addicted. Funny you should mention it just after I had one.
I went down to the Dragonboat festival in Taipei...well, the "real" holiday is on Wednesday but I headed to a little tourist-y version in Jayia park. Afterwards, I went to Taipei 101. An afrikaner who lives downstairs from me took me out last night to meet her friend and showed me to a nightmarket... She suggested going to Page One in Taipei 101, so I stopped there and sure enough it was a great bookstore. Anyways I'm back now and had a pretty good day.

[razorhideki]

aahz: yes, you're going through euphoria now(come back in 3 mos. & tell us how that's workin' out).

But WHY...WHY...WHHHHHHHY!...in today's employers' market, would anybody show up in Taiwan, Japan or even Korea(which, until a few years ago, was a reasonable place to show up without a job...not now)without a full time contract and a visa?

Why are newbies(and, the odd time, vets) putting themselves through this kind of abuse?

[aahz]

Well, I can't speak on behalf of them, really, Razorhideki. For me, though, I think the main thing is...uncertainty.

See, looking for a job in another country was scary for me. I have terrible thoughts of what would happen if I signed up for a contract with a place without seeing it. I mean, I could sign a contract, come over, and be stuck in a job that doesn't at all fit the description I had when I was in the States. And what would I do if I wanted to skip out? Have to buy a plane ticket back and face even more failure in my life? No, I wanted to come over specifically to see the place I could be working at, speak to other teachers there, and to feel comfortable. Plus, I had this in mind when I made my plan. "I'll get a round trip ticket, and even if I don't find employment in a few weeks I'll fly back and at the very least, I'll have a nice little tour of Taiwan."

I guess for you, the idea of coming to a place like Taiwan without a contract and having everything paid for is crazy. But in my mind, the idea of agreeing to work at a place for a year without ever visiting it is crazy. We're probably both a little crazy.

[creztor]

Most contracts have a trial period. Usually one month for both parties. In a situation like that you can't lose. Not happy with the place? Leave and find another job. I understand your point about finding a place you like, but the truth is it usually takes a few months to see how shit some schools are