Job Discussion Forums

[English Bob]

I am thinking of coming to Jakarta in December / January to look for work. I know this is a lean period job-wise in some countries, but what's the situation like in Jakarta and elsewhere? I don't have any teaching experience, but I have a degree and CELTA, so I'm hoping I'll be able to land something decent.

[gado_gado]

Better, much better, to arrange a contract whilst overseas at home then you won't be employed as a 'local hire' by the International schools here with the drop in salary and benefits. (you should be looking at Int schools with your quals)

March/April would be a much better period to start scouting for a good contract but if you do come in Dec/Jan don't rush into a contract with a language mill, just do some part time hours and renew your visa every month until you can contact an Int school and move from there.

Don't fall into the trap as I did, of working with EF, you have the same quals as me and there is much better on offer if you take the time to look around some. Think twice about Jak if you haven't been there already. It's not pleasant but it could be tolerable with an Int school package pulling in a salary of 2-3000 US per month compared to 600 US with EF...

best

[gugelhupf]

Not sound advice, gado2.

A degree plus CELTA with no previous experience will NOT get you a job at an international school. If it were that easy, dahlinks, life here would be rather different.

Frankly you have the minimum qualifications to land a job at a reputable language school or a hard-up-for-staff National Plus. The latter advertise heavily in December/January but rarely recruit until the start of the next academic year in July.

[gado_gado]

au contraire gugel, I have a good job in Bali lined up for a start in July and my quals plus a bare minimum of teaching experience have landed it. That and I suspect the fact that my employers were suitably impressed by my stoic refusal to endure any amount of time working in Jakarta.

It's what you make of it, Mar/Apr time is perfect to start shopping without post grad teaching quals to degree level because the demand is still there and with it opportunities. Sure, you may not have a top drawer Int school job but you will do better than a language school.

[sidjameson]

Yes, have to agree. I had to chuckle at the "with you qualifications" line. The world is FULL of unemployed grads, arming themself with a TEFL and heading to Asia. With your specs I would have thought a life in the diplomatic service would be more appropiate.

[gugelhupf]

OK, here is a challenge. Any newcomer who rocks up in Indonesia with degree, CELTA and no previous experience and who lands a job at a REAL international school - such as BIS, JIS or NZIS etc, not for some Joe who opens a school and includes the word 'International' in the name - will get a slap up welcome meal at my expense in an extremely posh eatery.

Somehow, I think I may be dining alone...

Also, I would dare to suggest that Gado2 spends enough time in Bali to get past the 'tourist' stage in the culture shock process before preaching to the rest of us about how idyllic life is on the island of the gods. (Thinks: why are there so many Balinese living in Jakarta?) Objectivity comes with time. This also applies to those who spend just enough time in a place to get into the 'shock' phase then flutter around the world telling horror stories. If I wanted to know about life in Bali, Jakarta or anywhere else for that matter I would ask someone who has lived there for years.

[gado_gado]

But Gugel, I've been coming here for years and have spent time living in Bali before... I hardly categorise myself as a 'tourist'

Why should a newcomer's opinion count for any less than a long timer's??Objectivity is skewed at both ends my friend.

How is the weather in Jakarta today?

[uilleannpiper]

[xsbir]

[gado_gado]

Re: Jakarta Durian

When I licked it, it cut my tongue. So I left.

Analogy complete, I'm off down the beach for some subjective contemplation of objective consideration.

Have a nice day.

[gugelhupf]

[uilleannpiper]

Last time I was in Bali (2002) I was accosted by a Balinese shop owner - she wanted to shake my hand, so I obliged (In Java it means they really want to shake your hand). Next thing I know she was tying a bracelet around my wrist, had my elbow firmly in her grip, and proceeded to 'insist' that I go into her shop for a manicure 'Very Cheap!!". Half an hour later I was back outside, unwanted bracelet on my wrist and newly, but also unsolicited, cleaned finger nails....I was beginning to question my sexuality for a moment

Next day, they day before I was to leave for home, I went for one last walk. Along came a guy, about 20 yrs old who proceeded to extend his hand in greeting. I thought, 'here we go again'. Foolishly I obliged and extendend my hand in greeting, but was nicely surprised to find that he was genuinely interested in only shaking my hand. He proceeded to ask me where I was going, I said, 'Jalan-jalan saja'; he asked if I would like to see his shop. I said, 'no thanks, I'm not doing any shopping today', all the while expecting to once again be accosted.

He then asked if he could accompany me on my walk. Suspicious of his intents I obliged nonetheless. As we were walking and talking I noticed that he wasn't Balinese. I asked 'Are you from Java?' (In Indonesian of course), he responded that he was; East Java in fact, and how did I know? I said I could tell from his accent.

He then asked me again if I would like to come back to his shop, not to buy anything, but just to talk over a coffee. I obliged.

Upon arrival at the complex in which his shop was located, we passed a couple of Balinese who commented to this Javanese guy in Balinese, to which he responded that no, I only wanted to visit and that we were just going to 'ngobrol'. My limited knowledge of Balinese and the expressions that accompanied the Balinese guy's comments indicated that he seemed bemused that his Javanese friend had appeared to have 'snared' another sucker.

On the contrary, my new Javanese acquaintance and I sat and chatted, soon to be accompanied by other Javanese youth. After a long chat over coffee, I took my leave, offered to pay for both of our coffees (after all, if I wasn't going to buy anything at least I should buy him a coffee, even though he probably was half expecting me to pay anyways) and departed, farewelled by my Javanese companions and on my way.

Just more ramblings.

[gugelhupf]

If you think the touts in Kuta/Legian are bad, try going inland to lake Batur near Kintamani. They descend on you even before you open the car door and are virtually impossible to shake off without a real and present threat of violence.

If you would like to experience real menace and the threat of violence yourself, however, just take one of the 'boat trips' across the lake to the Aga Bali village. I thought piracy was meant to be a hanging offence in these parts...

[Chester]

uilleannpiper.
excellent post.

[uilleannpiper]

Thanks mate. That would have to have been my most memorable moment of my time in Bali.