Job Discussion Forums

[ContemporaryDog]

What are the best places to look for jobs in Taiwan? I recently finished my CELTA course. I was considering going to China, but now I've realised Taiwan would be better to start with, as I have some credit card debt to repay.

[TaoyuanSteve]

The best answer is virtually anywhere. Well, maybe not. Some of the jobs in the pretty East coast towns are quite sought after. Taipei has more to offer the foreigner, though. It's usually a good place to start. I wouldn't worry too much about finding work. There seems to be an aweful lot vacancies lately. Not all of them are good, though. Take your time and investigate your prospective employers. Oh yeah, don't use a recruiter to get a job here. It's not necessary and they're often crooks.

[ContemporaryDog]

I will need to find a job before I leave, though, as I haven't got the necessary funds to go over there and possibly live for a few weeks before finding something. Where would you advise looking?

[TaoyuanSteve]

Hi. If you don't have sufficient funds to support yourself for a few weeks here (possibly less money than you might think), you might want to consider going to Korea for your first contract. You should not come here flat broke, if it can possibly be avoided. There are just too many expenses and things that can go wrong when you first get here. You may not even be able to get the preferred visa to come here (the 60 day multiple entry) unless you can provide bank statements, to show that you have some money, to the TECO people. There is one option for those without any money. It's Hess. [***To other expats: I know, I know guys. It's definitely not the highest pay on the island. Please don't write in replies to state that obvious fact. I don't work there.***] They have one advantage for the financially challenged that should interest you: they will hire and process you overseas (basically, no one else does this), allowing you to arrive here with a resident visa. If you don't have money and need everything sewn up before you leave, they are your only option. A recruiter can wind up costing you more than if you came here solo. Remember that before you trust one. You can type in Hess in a search engine to contact them directly. Alternatively, browse this site and tealit.com for want ads. Also type in "China Post," "Taipei Times," or "Taiwan News" in a search engine to search the three major English papers here for more want ads. There are ample jobs available. Just think twice about leaving your home country with no money in your jeans.

[surrealia]

This page should give you plenty of information on finding a job before you arrive:

http://www.geocities.com/allhou/teachlinks.htm

[michelle yu]

Generally speaking, if you pay a recruiter out of pocket - then something is wrong. Most reputable recruiters earn their income from the employer seeking the subject. Not from the subject directly.

So, if a recruiter ends up costing you something. Then look elsewhere.

[TaoyuanSteve]

Michelle,

I am not referring to a recruiter's fees when I say that recruiters will cost you. They will rip you off, break promises, give you lousy jobs and make your life hell. That is what I mean when I refer to "costs."

[matchstick_man]

from a recruiter....i stayed in it two years....but i now want to look round independently. A recruiter is a great idea if you cannot afford to look around for a job independently.

[Pop Fly]

[matchstick_man]

Maybe using a recruiter isn�t for everybody.....most people who say that either know Taiwan already or have friends there......if you don�t a place where you can�t read or speak the language is overwhelming and looking for a job is often stressful regardless of the country. I stand by my statement as I had a positive experience and no, I�m not a recruiter or an agent.

Still if and when I return to Taiwan I may not use an agent as I now speak basic Mandarin and know my way around Taiwan.