Job Discussion Forums

[YujiKaido]

Hi all I had a question Ive been wondering about. I will be graduating in August with my BA. Would it be a waste of time to start applying for jobs say in July even though I won't have my diploma in hand until probably September?

[sistercream]

The problem is that the Immigration Department won't consider your visa application unless they have proof that your degree has been awarded.

Are you in Hong Kong already, or when would you be arriving? Most of the jobs that are open to new graduates are tuition centres/ language mills, and 99% of them want to meet candidates in person before considering them seriously for a job.

The other possibility, if you hold permanent HK ID or a dependent's visa (and so don't need to get approval from Immigration) would be to look for a TA/ EA post.[/i]

[therock]

[sistercream]

Doesn't the EDB NET program require a number of years prior teaching experience?

Some of the lower tier international schools will hire someone fresh out of uni/ college, but the main reason I emphasised language mills is that the OP wouldn't be able to get a degree in hand until after all the "real" schools have already got their staff sorted and started the new school year, whereas mills hire all year round.

Another thing is that if you already have a degree and are just waiting for the ink on your PGCE to dry then you CAN get Immigration to process your visa; OP is still waiting for the degree itself.

[YujiKaido]

Thanks for the replies, that is what I figured. I actually graduate beginning of August, and my uni says it may take a month to get the diploma. I wonder if there is some kind of proof like paperwork I can get from my uni that I can use in august to apply for work visa until i get my actual diploma. I have teaching experience in Korea for 6 months and have TEFL . Thinking about CELTA too. But yeah willing to work my way up the ladder, I know I'll have to start near the bottom. Be nice to get it worked out before I head to Hong Kong as I have a job here, but willing to go to Hong Kong as well. I could always do a visa run to Taiwan or Korea.

[sistercream]

HK Immigration has been known to accept full academic transcripts that include wording like "qualified for the award of Bac. Whatever on this date".

I don't know your nationality, but holders of many passports get 90 days visa free on entry to Hong Kong - plenty of time to find an entry level job and get the working visa sorted - just realise that it is illegal to start working until the visa has actually been issued (and there are some scams among language mills that just turf you out after you've worked with them 3 months without pay - you have no redress because you were working illegally). But when an employment visa is issued you only need to go as far as Macau and return to get it activated.

[YujiKaido]

Thanks sistercream, thats what I was wondering about.