Job Discussion Forums

YujiKaido · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 49 Location: ? Hong Kong ?

I have been applying for jobs in HK, through Jobsdb.com and Scmp classifieds for a couple months and have got little response. Looking for some recommendations. I have a BA in General Studies w/ concentration in East Asian language and culture. I wish I would of applied myself for a degree in education but at the time I was more interested in working in Japan and thought my degree would be fine. In Hong Kong I found out its a different story.

I have a reference from one my Professors when I was taking a couple of classes in the school of education on teaching. Also have a personal reference from a Korean friend of mine working at a Uni here in the states I have tutored back when we were both at IU.

I participated in the TaLK programme, it was a program where undergraduates can teach 15 hours a week in a Elementary after school program in South Korea. I completed 6 months of teaching there and did a 40 hour seminar on teaching at a University in Daegu, South Korea. Also I am working on a 100 online TEFL through a graduate school program in Korea that I never finished.

I was wondering when I apply should I include all the documents I have when i initially apply, diploma, TEFL certificate, and references with my cover and resume? I have been applying with just my cover and resume, unless the job ad states they want my references or other documents.

Also do most employers in HK frown on generic cover letters, as I have been using quick apply on Jobsdb.com with my generic cover and resume already uploaded. Thinking I might go back to applying manually so they see my cover first off and talior it a little more for each employer I apply too. Also is it okay to attach a passport sized photo to my resume?

I prefer teaching younger kids as I think they are more fun and I really liked teaching elementary in Korea.

Also my hope was to get a job offer and work while I do the Celta online and then apply for a better pay or NET program next year.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be very much appreciated as I don't really want to settle for a teaching job in Taiwan, Japan or Korea as I have made up my mind HK is where I want to be. Also thinking if I still don't get any responses, I will just go ahead and do my CELTA 4 week course and then reapply to places in HK down the road, but It would take most of my savings. I just dread being here in the states any longer than I have too, but I will do what I must.

Thanks everyone.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

One of the difficulties with finding a job in HK is that, unless you're applying for high-end jobs (eg. international schools, NET prog and uni professorships) it's unlikely you'll be offered an interview if you aren't actually here.

So, if your current quals and experience mean that you're looking at the lower end of the market (private language schools etc), my advice is that you bite the bullet and come here, with enough money to get you through two or three months, as that's roughly how long it will take before you can be legally employed.

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

Even if you land, a job is not guaranteed....send your CV. See what happens.....

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 497 Location: Pearl River Delta

I agree with Perilla that being on the ground in HK makes a huge difference to your job chances, particularly if you're looking at language centre work.

When I decided to return to HK a couple of years back, I didn't get a single reply to CVs sent from overseas, but after I actually arrived got 5 job offers within the first week. Mind you, I was prepared to accept a carp job for the first year just to get my foot back in the door after years away!

YujiKaido · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 49 Location: ? Hong Kong ?

thanks for the replies, I have gotten 3 responses, one was even for a skype interview but it never materialized and one wanted me to be in HK for an interview and the other was a questionnaire.

So I may save up some more money, get my celta out of the way and then go to HK and look for work, but would rather get an entry level job and do the celta online while I work so I can get to HK sooner.

I'd pretty much take any job, even working 6 days a week as long as i could get my foot in the door. I'll continue to send my CV's out, work to finish my online TEFL course and hope for the best but will be working on plan B as well.