Job Discussion Forums

[nmalec]

Is it possible to get a good legitimate job in late fall? I'm thinking sometime in November and most likely in Asia. Has anyone ever done this? Did it work out? Thanks

[Glenski]

Asia is big. Where exactly?

We don't know a thing about you, so it's impossible to say more than "yes, it's possible". Tell us your qualifications (so we can tell you if you are even eligible for a work visa, let alone job) and what type of teaching job you are thinking of pursuing.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

"Asia" is a pretty broad term. And so is 'a good legitimate job'.

What do you mean by "Asia"? You need to know at least the region before anybody can really help you. North East Asia (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China), South East Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos etc) South Asia (Middle East).

It isn't a good idea to look for jobs that will get you a working visa that start in November in Japan. Actually, it's an appallingly bad idea. Unless your goal is to be in the country to interview, and have enough funds to last you until the end of April (at the earliest) when you got your first pay (assuming you could stay in the country that long- most of the time you're on a three month tourist visa).

Most jobs (other than eikaiwa- an industry hurting badly right now) start April 1 (a few start in August). How early to apply depends on what type of job you're looking for. Universities and colleges put calls out for resumes really very early. Most dispatch companies have no idea of their requirements for the following year until December or January. Some schools have a habit of not telling people that they won't have a job (this means they don't even tell the ALTs dispatch company) until it's basically too late to even get another job, occasionally leading to odd situations in which they tell everybody whether they have a job or not right at the last second, only to find out that all of the people they wanted to continue went out and got a different job (they got sick of the constant stress) and all of the people they are getting rid of wanted to stay.

[naturegirl321]

YES! People back out at the last minute. That's how I got my job, and it's great. But as the posters above said, it depends on the country and your quals.

[nmalec]

I kept my question broad because I'm open to going to almost anywhere in Asia. In fact I don't care where I go as long as the job is reliable. I'm going to apply late because I want to get my CELTA so I don't have to do any more shady jobs.

[tttompatz]

[Glenski]

I repeat:

Tell us your qualifications and what type of teaching job you are thinking of pursuing.

[denise]

There are always last-minute openings available, pretty much anywhere in the world. Assuming you've got the right qualifications & can get a visa, you can get hired and be on a plane within a matter of days.

Some things to keep in mind:

Why are they hiring in the middle of the term, and if's it's a last-minute, urgent, "Can you be here tomorrow?" sort of job, why are they so desperate? See if you can talk to a current teacher, and see if you can find out what their turnover rate is. Sometimes teachers break contracts for reasons that have nothing to do with the school--family emergency, for example--but sometimes those openings are to replace teachers who've realized what a bad job it is.

If you do take a job with an immediate start, what will happen with your visa? Obviously there won't be time to get the proper paperwork done before you start. Will the school take care of everything and make sure that you're working legally (or mostly legally...) until things get sorted out?

But yes, it is possible.

d

[Glenski]

[denise]

[Mrs McClusky]

Mate, there is always a job going any day anywhere in the world. Depends how low you want to go.

[Flashman]

I'm also due to start my CELTA shortly and would like to know the chances of getting hired in Korea/China or even Thailand.

I have a BA and will have my CELTA but no discernible teaching experience.

I too will be looking in November time but judging by the replies would I be better staying in my job until the new year? As I am required to give plenty of notice at my current employer (Firefighters don't drop from trees) will any likely job offers come in the "can you be here next week?" format.

I ask as ideally if i'm not saving out in asia I need to continue working here and save a little more money as I intended on doing a year in Oz starting the back end of in 2011.

[markcmc]

If you are persistent and not too fussy you will find work somewhere in Asia at any time.

[tttompatz]

[Flashman]