Job Discussion Forums

[shlow88]

Hi,
I am thinking of moving to Vietnam to teach in the spring. I had a few questions that I would really appreciate help with.

1 (my most important question). Is finding work in HCMC or Hanoi difficult? Is the demand for teachers high? If it helps, I am british/american in my early 20s, have some teaching experience, a TrinityCertTESOL and a good degree from a good university.

2. How should I look for work? Is it better to apply to jobs posted on the internet or to hit the streets when I get there?

3. Is there a better or worse time to look for work? I have some flexibility as to when I arrive, so wouldn't want to look for work in may if all the hiring is done in february!

4. How much of an obstacle are the visas? Should I be deterred from Vietnam because of them?

Thanks! And my apologies if this was covered elsewhere...I'm new to the forum so still figuring it out...

[tonyjones01]

All of your questions already have an active thread of their own. Most have answers from only a few days ago.

The truth is Viet Nam is extremely inconsistent and ever changing. Just because someone says one thing (good or bad) doesn't mean it will be the same for you. This includes work permits, housing and pay. If you want to see all the varying opinions, read the threads.

[s10czar]

I've been in contact with my CELTA mates. We graduated in December, which is a shit-time to look for full-time work. Anyway, all the folks who stayed in country have found full-time jobs and are high on life. Even the non-native speakers. Just come and hit the pavement.

[toiyeuthitmeo]

I second the opinions and advice posed by the others, especially the idea that everyone's experience is different. Here's some more standard advice, readily available in other posts but heck consider it a Tet gift to you...


1) You can still find work in either city. The HCM vs Hanoi debate runs thick in the forum, check out the threads but the general feeling is HCM is the easier city in which to find work and live . Your quals and creds are decent enough to get a comfortably liveable and possibly saveable wage, depending on lifestyle and amount of hours you're able to find and working conditions you're willing to accept. Demand for teachers is waning, and the future of the ESL industry in Vietnam is a topic of some pessimism due to decreased enrollments, but given some time, you'll find something. Also don't forget to snoop around Da Nang, Hai Phong, Can Tho, and Vung Tau, which are oft-ignored (and for some good reasons) cities that have some teaching positions available from time to time.

2) As a general rule, Vietnam rewards those who come here first, with a month or more of time to seek out employment by knocking on doors, or on the phone / via email, backed up with the status of being here and being able to go to the location for a face-to-face. So come here earlier (1 month? 2?) than you want to start working, and bring enough money to survive at least 2 months with no teaching income (possibly 3 months as many schools won't pay you til 30 days after you begin). For sure, use the internet as a tool to research openings, and don't be afraid to interview, email, or chat on the phone with possible employers from your home country, but most would caution against signing on with anybody before you're in country. BEWARE THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS! Generally, very bad business.

3) Summer is coming soon enough=increased positions for kiddie programs. Mar-Apr would be a good time to start looking. I know things are quite slow at many schools right now, which I understand to be a combination of mostly Tet-related low enrollment, and some level of
the general "slowing down" of ESL in Vietnam. But summer should pick up.

4) Visas are really up-and-down in terms of personal experiences. The best situation is to find an employer who offers monetary and/or procedural support for these issues. Just make sure you have all relevant documents on hand for the work permit process, which are your actual Uni degree, your actual ESL certification diploma, passport, and a police background check, authenticated and translated.

[shlow88]

Thanks a lot!!! Very helpful advice