Job and Visa Hunting in Taiwan
I’ve been quite busy
recently and not keeping up with my blog.
Since my last blog my family has been for a visit and I was a teacher-come-tour
guide. So in the near future I shall add
a blog including Alishan. But this blog
is going to focus on job-hunting and visas.
Not long ago I wrote a
blog about teaching in Taiwan. Since
then I have decided not to stay on in my current job, but to find a new job. My boss changed her mind about guaranteeing
me the hours I need to live so I left (well I said I won’t renew my contract, I
still have a few days before I actually leave).
This has left me in the position of job-hunting.
I have been looking for
any job I can get in Taiwan which needs very little Chinese speaking ability;
teaching (obviously), editing, marketing, anything which didn’t say Chinese
necessary. I have primarily used
tealit.com to hunt for jobs. Few
teaching jobs are on other websites and not posted on that website. Personally, my number one priority has been
to not work weekends, followed by a real school, and not to work kindergarten
(kindy). I have a master’s and, despite
it being in advertising, it has got me a lot of interviews; I only have one
year experience and it has been mentioned as the reason they gave me an interview. I have a friend who is also looking for a job;
he has three years’ experience, but no TEFL and no masters. He has real struggled to get interviews
compared to myself despite being a more experienced teacher. Although, he also thinks it is because he is
of Chinese descent and does not fit the category of ‘western-looking’. So, definitely get some form of teaching certificate
before you come to Taiwan (e.g. TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, etc.).
For my interviews I
have rarely been given prior notice about a demo lesson. I have often been given 10 minutes or less to
prepare a demo. I am not sure what
people can learn from the experience of giving a teacher zero preparation and
throwing them into a classroom, but they seem to like it. I have developed my theory of a quick
ice-breaker, normally your name and something you like that links into the
lesson. Then I try and do the first two
P’s of my TEFL, Present and Practice, and leave the lesson where I would move
onto production. I can’t guarantee this
works, as none of the jobs have offered me anything, but it is simple and easy
to prepare; it gives something to do with the kids.
My job hunt has been
hampered by my current boss who, amongst other things, wouldn’t tell me when I
was finishing. This meant my answer to ‘When
can you start?’ was ‘well… I’m not really sure… but I think…’, which I’m sure
did not help my case. When my boss
finally told me, I had 10 days to prepare.
This doesn’t sound too bad, only a few days shorter than your two weeks’
notice. But when your boss adds that
they are not only just finishing your classes, they are also cancelling your
visa, it is not particularly helpful!
Luckily, things move
pretty quickly in Taiwan. After spending
a couple of days freaking out and sending out a new batch of applications, I
went to the immigration office. All I can
say is ‘the Taiwanese government is too nice to foreigners’. You can get a six month visa extension to
help you find another job for just NT$1000 (£20); I was shocked to say the
least (and a little disappointed I wasn’t going to Hong Kong). This also put my mind at ease. Then on Thursday morning (a week later) I get
a call asking me for an interview, which has to be that afternoon. To be honest, I think it was the worst demo
and interview I have done so far, but they offered me a trial week (paid). Unfortunately, it’s kindy and I had no
knowledge of this prior to the interview (thinking it was grade 1 and above),
but beggars can’t be choosers. With the
pure pace of what happened and no knowledge that it was a kindy job, I’m still
freaking out a little bit, but if you’re in a similar position it shows not to panic. In a week I have gone from looking at no job
and no visa to a six month visa and a trial job. Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and
look around, you might miss it (Bueller, 1986).
So, if you learn
anything from this blog, it is not to panic if your visa is up and you have no
job. As I say things happen very
quickly. Also, let’s not forget you get a 6 month visa, with no strings
attached, so there is no need to rush. Bosses don’t always treat you well, but
the government does.
I have also learnt to
find the dark cloud in my silver lining.
I’m pretty gutted not to be going to Hong Kong for a visa. If I have a job, I’ll have little time to go;
and if I don’t I’ll have to save money.
Remember, life moves pretty
fast and screw that silver lining! There’s always a cloud!
Hot Tea
