In Taiwan, getting a decent job as an English teacher, on average, is quite competitive and challenging sometimes. Recently, a post regarding how to get a job in Taiwan showed up in a Facebook forum and many began to pour out the negativity they had experienced in finding jobs. I don't blame them. I have been there before, but I tried my best to figure out how to make the best of MY own situation. Regardless of your assets, you have to do with what you have and keep moving forward. My response on the post received quite a bit of support so I am here to share it with you all. YES, THIS IS NO SECRET. Sometimes, we just have to hear it from someone else to face our own denial on the challenges ahead. The way I see it, there are two ways to deal with the frustrations of employment: 1. WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT: If you feel you are ready for a job. You have to know, the moment you land on Taiwan's job market, your country of origin, skin color, education level, and teaching location will determine your chances. If you are from a country well-known for its fame or language in Taiwan, getting a teaching job is as simple as breathing. If your skin color is light brown to pale white, you are going to get a high chance. If you went to a well-known college that Taiwan is familiar with, HIGH CHANCE. If you are teaching in the six BIG cities in Taiwan, you have more job opportunities. The rest, is up to whatever you believe in. 2. WITH EFFORT: If you do not have the luxury of #1 pathway, this is the hard road. You need to claw your way in. These are the following steps - A. Learning Mandarin is the first directive. Most cram schools in Taiwan don't expect or want their foreign teachers to know Mandarin. It is easier for them to screw you behind your back. It is one of the reasons why employers were intimidated by my background. But hey, it doesn't only happen in Taiwan. Other "Western" countries also do this to their foreign workers. B. Teaching English is not enough. What do I mean by that? Well, for starters, think of other jobs in the market. Whether it is a salesperson or a programmer position, how would you pick as an employer? Each year millions of people graduate and everyone has sort of similar basic skill set. The typical English major graduate just might not cut it if you don't have the "born-into" assets in #1 pathway. What makes you more valuable than the average foreigner who comes to Taiwan for a job? Things take effort. Taiwan is evolving too. While the #1 pathway problems are still existent, it doesn't mean you can't claw or pitch your way into a job. You just need to show the "value" of your addition into their institution. C. Don't try to be a Westerner like you did in your country. If you already don't fit #1 pathway, you should try instead to blend in to Taiwan's culture. Many people will scream it is unfair and such, but if your employer is pure Taiwanese, you adapt. Much like Asian immigrants who flocked to Western countries. They learn and adapt to play the "game" in their new battlegrounds. That means knowing when to push and when to be polite, leaving your contact and trying elsewhere. D. Your resume absolutely needs to be continuously updated. Even having accomplished quite a bit these days, I still update and continuously look for ways to make my resume clearer and clearer. Integrating your college major into your teaching will be a great way to let them know your talent in making your English lessons not just a "Let's Go!" children's English textbook teaching. E. Language Certifications and Teaching Degrees Get a TESOL, one or two English language standardized tests under your belt, and try out some private international schools. It never hurts to get a TESOL because Taiwan sort of cares about these kinds of things. They put a lot of emphasis on college degrees and certifications. The rest is complicated and needs no further discussion at this point. I don't want to confuse anyone here. F. Always have a year's savings. This applies to EVERYONE. You don't want to be unemployed and unable to pay for your daily expenses.
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