Job Discussion Forums

[brians.gore]

While considering Vietnam, I've come across 4 specific questions of my own:

1) When is the best time to apply?
I read that around Tet is good. But is it more or less always open season? And if I move to Vietnam before having a job, is it easy to get work any time?

2) Is one salary enough to live, pay student loans, and save money?
I hear it's a good idea to work two jobs. Is this true/recommended/reasonable?

3) What work is there in Vietnam other than teaching (open to foreigners)?
Are there strict labor laws?

4) When working in a school, what's the dress requirements for teachers?
Suit, tie, slacks, jeans and a nice shirt?

Those are my four (okay, maybe more like seven or eight) questions. I appreciate your help.

[oliver9184]

1 You should apply AFTER Tet. I applied for and got my job before I left the UK but I've heard it's easier to do it after you get here.

2 It depends how many hours you get, how you want to live and how much you want to save. I earn enough to live fairly comfortably working about 16 hours a week. If I worked more hours I would start to save money.

3 Don't know.

4 In my school teachers wear trousers, shirt and tie. Jacket not needed. You might get away with black jeans or not wearing a tie at a different school. Also my school likes teachers to carry a briefcase style bag not a backpack style one, so the teachers and the school look respectable and professional to parents.

[DNK]

1. After Tet; there are no hours right now. Early March maybe.

2. All 3 of those? Probably not, but then I don't know what monetary figures "pay student loans" and "save money" equal. If you give more specific questions, we can provide more specific answers. If you get hours, after tax you can make between $1100 and $2000 if you're new to everything. imo, it's ridiculously high pay, but others will disagree. Living expenses, on the other hand, can be under $800/mo, so you can figure the math for yourself.

3a. I've heard a few people working (at times the same basic job) for NGOs for "local pay" (ie $400/mo or less). I have a neighbor who works for travel agencies for what I would guess is substantially more than $400/mo, but he has an actual professional background and career in that sort of thing. Unless you have good contacts, useful skills/experience for a corporate job, or good credentials (MA/etc), I'm not sure there's much else that pays as well as TEFLSOL. I'm thinking if you have to ask, then probably you're best off doing the teaching thing.

3b. Concerning...? Employers, employees, work visas, what?

4. Slacks/khakis (most seem to wear black slacks), a button-down shirt, a decent pair of shoes, a belt. I'm sure some of the "backpacker schools" will let you get away with a wife beater, shorts, flip flops, and aviator glasses.

[brians.gore]

Thanks for the replies. Really appreciate it.

Here's some clarification:

a 300$ a month payment for loans. I don't mind living tight, I just gotta pay off loans quick as I can.

As for my question about labor laws and such, I guess I'm getting at the possibility of working labor in Vietnam, whether construction, docks, or whatever, do you know of anything regarding or any way to do this?

[VietCanada]

1) Right after Tet ends. February 14th this year. Possibly working by weeks end if you're presentable and well spoken. Experienced or with a good TESL, TEFL certification is good. BA or BSc of course.

2) You shouldn't work for less than $1800 US per month after taxes in a full time position. $15 per hour.

3) I have seen sights advertising for foreigners for many different positions. Seems to be head hunting firms. You could get a position teaching a subject other than English. An Early Childhood Education degree or certification could open some doors.

Labourers? Not a chance IMHO.If you're fluent in Vietnamese, willing to work 24/7 pretty much and live on-site for a $50 to $200 a month you could see if anyone would actually hire you.

4) Shirt and tie, dress pants and shoes seems to be the norm here.