Job Discussion Forums

Ferfichkin · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 140

Hello, I am planning to leave for Taiwan in 6 weeks, I was just reading the Taiwan vs. Korea post created by robitusson and got a little nervous, are there even jobs available right now? Almost everyone who responded to that post said that the market is saturated in Taiwan, and two people mentioned that there are ten people applying to every position. Is all of this true, is my job search going to be a complete nightmare? I am a 28 year old Canadian male with a BA and no experience. What are my chances? I have read many times that it is better to come to Taiwan and look for work rather than to take a job before you leave, is this still true? At least if I accepted a job beforehand I would have a little peace of mind. It would suck if I flew over there, looked for work for a month, and found nothing.

Basically I just want to know what the chances of me finding a full-time job in Taipei are. I don't really want to work five part time jobs for an entire year, that would be OK for a while, but it seems to me that would not be the ideal situation for a whole year.

Any advice or information would be appreciated,
fich

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

write to ramakesh for a VERY ACCURATE RUN DOWN........there are too many people looking for the jobs that are there.......10 yrs ago the pay was exactly the same and the competition was less.....inflation and recession and too many teachers make it not worth doing....getting a job before you go is pointless, they never keep their word and the offers suck and are full of illegalities...comming and looking will most likely drain you loot and hope.....WELCOME TO TAIWAN'S TOURIST INDUSTRY: WANABEE TEACHERS, that leave once they wake up.

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

my one roomie gets at least one job offer a week, and he is already working his tail off....

steeevieboy · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 50

lots of offers for 5 hours here and 5 hours there....
fulltime offers with good pay? havent seen many.

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

Um offers that ARE NOT FULL OF B.S.........not common, the other kind, very common.

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

Sure there are jobs - heaps - mostly offering between 2 and 10 hours week - one years experience in Taiwan required. And part-time work doesnt give you an ARC. (well not legally anyway)
If juggling lots of these types of positions is your thing (and they are nearly always in the time bracket of around 4-8pm weeknights) then it might be ok for you - but you need to be doing atleast 20 hours + a week to be able to support yourself - more if you want to save.
And the really annoying thing is that often people will tell you about certain hours and conditions over the phone, and you arrive at the interview and the goal-posts have been moved - less hours, less pay, etc etc.
If not having a good attitude is telling it like it is here Im guilty... Smile

If I had my time over, I would have organised some work before I came out in the country - but then you never know what your going to get.
It is even better if you have a contact already working in Taiwan - if you have contacts who know good people you have a huge advantage.
All the best buddy.

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

Also if your keen on Taiwan - try a chain like Hess - they give you good hours and work - although Ive heard stories that they might send you to one branch one day and another the next, atleast you get training, and work for a reputable chain.

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

There are jobs in TW. I have to agree with Pop Fly.

I'm over 35 and not blonde. I don't fall into the stereotypical FT description. However, in three years I never had trouble getting a job. Connect with expats. They'll tell which schools are hiring. You also have to learn the face game. You have to learn to play by their rules. Remember this is a business. Teaching will not be the main concern.

If you're still worried you can always take a job with a chain school.

Xenophobe · Joined: 11 Nov 2003 Posts: 163

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

'"Telling it like it is" is exactly why the goalposts are being moved on you. You can still (always could) get ARC sponsored jobs paying between 550-600NT/hour. The chain schools are always hiring. Yes, the market is becoming somewhat saturated, but this gives the employers cause to change their offers when an pprospective employee walks in and tells them "how it is". '

You see - why would you make an assumption that I would be stupid enough to walk into a job interview and tell them 'how it is' or have a bad attitude??
It seems to happen here quite a bit - you disagree with someone and then you make a ton of assumptions about them so that you can create a credible argument to flame them...

Its quite sad really... Sad because on this website you get a 50/50 spread of people telling you there are heaps of jobs or their arent - but when you get here on the ground the people like Pop-fly and Clark are the vast minority...

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186