Job Discussion Forums

[andrew.gordon]

I�ve been researching this forum for several months and I�ve found many of the existing posts to be very informative. After talking to several friends and considering my alternatives I�ve decided to send my resume out to schools in Tainan and Kaohsiung with the hopes of establishing contacts before my arrival. Basically my question is when would be the best time to purchase a flight over to Taiwan?

I�ve heard that there is a turnover of teachers around Chinese New Year (Feb 18th.) Would I be best to come before Feb 18th so that I can talk to some of the school in person before they go on vacation? (noting that this would leave me with a couple weeks of idleness and unemployment.) Should I come during Chinese New Year, so that I could establish myself (rent apartment, buy scooter, settle down) and then look for employment when everyone comes back, or would it be best to come sometime after Chinese New Year?

Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated, and thanks for getting back to me in advance. Now I have to get back to emailing my resumes, searching for really cheap flights to Taiwan, getting my visitors visa, getting my shots, consolidating existing resources and reading all pertinent threads.

P.S. ~ Yes I�m leaving this to the last minute, will I have any unforeseeable difficulties trying to put my plan together?

[Taylor]

Hello Andrew.Gordon,

Welcome to Taiwan. Best wishes as you plan this major transition!

Would you be able to stay with your friends/acquaintances for your first 2 or 3 weeks? Obviously, this would be a major benefit--regardless of any particular arrival date.

Based on what you posted, I would recommend that you wait until after Chinese New Year to arrive.

The turnover that you mentioned is bascially in the area of part-time gigs. Since we "foreigners" need contracts in order to be legal, the thing about post-Chinese New Year job switching is actually a non-issue. The Taiwanese folks usually quit their jobs at this time if their bonus (received just before the holidays) was less than expected......

Keep on posting!

Taylor
Kaohsiung