Job Discussion Forums

[Mafuane]

Hi all, newbie needing advice

So i've got an interview for a job in Asia and i'm pretty happy about it. However there's a problem since right now i'm a university graduate, I don't have a lot of money and a lot of debt. The people have told me that I need to support myself until I get my first paycheck and that i'll need about �1500 pounds (which i don't have), also that I have to pay for airflights myself.

There's no one who I can borrow the money from and I don't know if I can get a job between now and october.

I know the right thing to do is to turn the job down but it's a really good job with good pay. I'm not sure what to do.

[spiral78]

Unfortunately, one rule of teaching English abroad is that you need to have some savings to start, whether you are just hopping over to continental Europe, or jetting all the way off to Latin America or to Asia.

The amounts needed might vary - it's cheaper some places to get started than in others. Asia is relatively pretty cheap - I think - as it is possible to find a job from abroad, as you've done. In Europe, you have to be there in person to even get an interview, and it's likely that you will go longer without a paycheque.

I suggest that you will need to do whatever it takes to come up with some savings if you (ever) really want to teach abroad. It doesn't have to be masses, and if you go somewhere that you will be paid decently you can obviously start paying off your debt later on, but a few thousands in hand are just really necessary to get started.

[dean_a_jones]

Where in Asia is the job? This will help people give detailed advice.

Would agree that you should have the money for a flight out (often will get reimbursed, but don't expect it for a month or two if so), enough money for a month or two while waiting for pay (your expected salary in the job should give a general indication of this) and enough for a return flight if for any reason all goes wrong.

The more legitimate the school (i.e. coming in on the right visa, good reports from current FTs etc.) the more likely you will not have to dip into all of your savings, as things should be organised and pay should be punctual. Definitely don't expect to be paid for at least a month, and also figure that as well as day to day living there will be the one time set-up costs (again these vary a lot by country and contract, but might be anything from needing to find your own place to live, paying for extra permits, buying things like a phone to needing cleaning materials, plates and cups etc.).

Your level of comfort will depend on your resources--in many places you can easily scrape by on very little, but if it is your first time to the country and you are not used to things, this can mean a miserable month if you are lacking funds.

[denise]

Here are a couple of options:

1) Hold out for a school that pays for your flight & accommodation. Korea should pay for these things, but we can't discuss Korea on this forum--check the separate Korea forum. My job in Japan paid for both of these, but that was a rarity even at the time, and times have gotten worse.

2) Ask the school if they can give you an advance on your first paycheck. It wouldn't help you with the airfare, and then of course when your first paycheck did arrive it would be decimated (so it's not an option that I myself am fond of), but it would help you get settled in.

Really, though, I think the most sensible option is to turn down the job and wait until you have more money saved up.

And then just keep in mind that start-up costs are nothing new and not specific to EFL or living abroad. I just moved back to the US and had to shell out lots of money to get myself set up at home. The only way to avoid such costs is just to stay home all the time. (Sorry, not trying to bring you down, just trying to keep things in perspective!)

d

[Mafuane]

Thanks for all the advice guys, thankfully I have a month before I have to go, so hopefully I can raise enough money before then. You're right about the fees, so I'll need to take that into account!

[lucia79]

1. The best thing you can do is to decline the offer and save up the needed funds for your work/travel abroad. It's not a good feeling to go into a situation where you don't know if it'll work or not and also be penniless.

2. If you choose to go anyway, and have a miles card for an airline you may be able to combine miles and cash to pay for a ticket.

3. If you have a credit card use it wisely to pay for your first month's expenses and then when you get your paycheck pay off your credit card immediately.

[Glenski]

As asked earlier, in what country have you been offered work?

[Mafuane]

I have the interview for a job in singapore.

[Tudor]

That'll be nice and cheap then...

[sounion]