How to Find a Non-Teaching Job?

[Charlie_Jack]

[quote=“daoni”][quote=“Charlie Jack”](Please note that the post below does not apply to every poster in this thread.)

Now, I know you’re all good guys, so I know that none of you guys could possibly mean to be saying, “Pull up the ladder, Jack, I’m inboard.” I know you don’t mean to be saying that at all, so it pains me to say this, but, you know, that’s kinda what it sounds like.

I see the ABT thing as a statement of fact, and I think that in Taiwan it might turn out to be a significant fact:

. . . in Taiwan your race may be taken into consideration as many Chinese cram schools expect English teachers to be caucasion.

http://tw.forumosa.com/t/what-is-an-abc/60042/14

I think being an ABC is a challenge. . . .

How selective are major chain schools for ABCs?

I’ve had the same worries a year ago when I was looking for work. I came to Taiwan without securing a job and just searched the internet and canvased around. I only got call backs from the ads I applied via the internet. I also got a lot of “we only hire foriegners”. This being said I got a job within a week with a franchised chain school at competitive pay. Personally, I think being an ABC is a challenge, but you’ll get work, just hang in there. Plus, I rather get turned down by a school who v…

I have no way of knowing if it was the ABC thing that didn’t get me placed at Hess (could easily have been something else on my app), but that’s the reason I’ve been given at nearly every other school I’ve called or emailed.

How selective are major chain schools for ABCs?

Good luck, and let me know what you find. I just got rejected by Hess! ABC, no exp, looking in Taipei. Kinda sucks we have to deal with this in the States and here. A bit jacked if you ask me. Note: I have no way of knowing if it was the ABC thing that didn’t get me placed at Hess (could easily have been something else on my app), but that’s the reason I’ve been given at nearly every other school I’ve called or emailed.

I’m very thankful now that I had no luck finding anything teaching or writing.

How selective are major chain schools for ABCs?

yeah i dunno, getting rejected by hess was pretty much it for me. even my friend who works there was surprised: “but…evvvvverybody gets accepted at hess!!” however, i’m very thankful now that i had no luck finding anything teaching or writing. funny how things work out…nothing’s set yet, but if everything goes smoothly i’ll now be working in a similar position to what i had in the states, but in a much more lucrative industry. pretty decent pay as well.

Reverse discrimination in jobs.

Is Taichung abc/cbc friendly city for teaching?

laperla, I have lived in Taichung. It is smaller and quieter than Taipei. It’s easier to make friends in Taichung in my opinion, because of the slower pace of the city. But because of the slower pace there also a little less opportunities overall. Why not head out to HK if you speak Canto? Probably more job opportunities in different fields besides teaching English. A lot of ABC/CBC in HK as well. Reverse discrimination in jobs. I use to be like what is this all about. But as I got old…

[quote]She got a job teaching English when we were in Taiwan but was fired because too many parents complained that a “Chinese person” was teaching their children English. Nevermind that my wife speaks English with a North American accent, speaks only basic Mandarin, knows very little about Chinese culture, and considers herself American. The ignorant parents wanted a white face, and she didn’t fit the mold.

And this was in Taipei. I question whether Taichung or any place in Taiwan at all is truly “friendly” to FBC English teachers.[/quote]

Is Taichung abc/cbc friendly city for teaching?

Back on topic. My wife was born in Taiwan but raised in the US (since 3 years of age). Her primary language is English. She got a job teaching English when we were in Taiwan but was fired because too many parents complained that a “Chinese person” was teaching their children English. Nevermind that my wife speaks English with a North American accent, speaks only basic Mandarin, knows very little about Chinese culture, and considers herself American. The ignorant parents wanted a white face, and …

It’s not all gloom and doom:

Hey, I’m CBC and I was able to find work within a week of looking. I did expereince a few schools who wouldn’t even accept my resume. But who wants to work for a racist school anyways? If you give a good demo, and have a four year degree, good schools will not care. In general, being CBC is not a bonus, but there’s enough opportunity so you’ll find a good job. Just hang in there, and don’t settle.

Is Taichung abc/cbc friendly city for teaching?

Hey, I’m CBC and I was able to find work within a week of looking. I did expereince a few schools who wouldn’t even accept my resume. But who wants to work for a racist school anyways? If you give a good demo, and have a four year degree, good schools will not care. In general, being CBC is not a bonus, but there’s enough opportunity so you’ll find a good job. Just hang in there, and don’t settle.

There are other success stories, and not just in the English-teaching field. I certainly don’t want to discourage daoni from coming over here. There are potential advantages to being of Chinese/Taiwanese heritage. But do you guys honestly think that foreign-born Chinese status lacks significance–here?

Or is this maybe an esthetic thing? Is the term ABT unlovely, or something?[/quote]

Thanks for this post, Charlie Jack. I’ve read some of these threads and it can be like a mess of discouragement… Still, it’s good to know what I’m getting myself into. :p[/quote]

You’re welcome, but now I’m kind of sorry I posted it. I only meant to show that there are challenges, but I overshot the mark. Please wipe my post from your memory. I’m just a negative old buzzard.

There really are success stories on the board, and elsewhere of course. I encountered some of them earlier today when I was searching the board for posts about the experiences of foreign-born Chinese/Taiwanese, but I didn’t use them because I was trying to make the point that it’s often challenging. Additionally, I’m pretty sure there are long-term posters on this board who are of Chinese/Taiwanese heritage and are successful at what they do. I think a lot of foreign-born Chinese/Taiwanese come over here and do quite well for themselves, and there’s every reason to believe you will, too.

Just in case you do become interested in teaching English, I’ve read on this board that some of the big school chains don’t discriminate. And of course there are other things to do besides teaching English.

Also, I ought to point out that a lot of people on this board know each other, and they’re a good crew, so I think you can get a lot of guidance and moral/emotional support from them.

All the best!