Hi,
I need some advice in regards to possibly relocating to Taiwan for a year.
I am from a non-English speaking country (however my English is fluent and I have certificates to prove that) so I could not work as an English teacher and the language of my native country does not have much demand in Taiwan.
I have a diploma in marketing and am planning to get a bachelors, however currently only have the diploma (which is a certificate I got after completing 1 year of studies in the field)
I have limited experience in the field (about a year in a minor assisting job) as I have only recently finished my studies
I do have over 4 years of experience in hospitality, however I have heard it is not so much in demand industry for foreigners in Taiwan.
I am also learning traditional chinese intensively on my own and have been for the past year.
Now my question is does anyone know or have experience in getting a job legally in Taiwan in similar conditions or could make any suggestions.
First, why do you wanna come here? I wouldn’t happen that out of the blue you just heard Taiwan and though, let’s relocate.
Second, Taiwan is NOT a good place to search for work, specially for non-teaching jobs, Salary are low, the working environment is BAD and career progression will be severely restricted and you might even find myself in a rather obscure situation being stuck here.
Third, As a foreigner looking for non-teaching jobs, the jobs I can think are related to IT, Marketing, Sales or perhaps editing/Tech-writing work. All of those jobs will pay you less (considering you do not have experience in those fields) and it would be a struggle early on.
Finally, if you are looking for relocation, then you should really work on your Mandarin since that would help immensely in the long run, but then again, I can not get my head across the fact that why would you choose Taiwan to relocate where the language, culture, education, job, money , air etc. all are different from what most people are used to and would take time getting accustomed. .
I think a foreigner from a non English speaking country without these two things needs a really good luck to get a work permit, unless having a Taiwanese spouse.
The only possibility I thought of is your language on your passport related jobs. But iirc, you need 2 year diploma.
I do not have a Taiwanese spouse.
I know it would help with a visa.
I do have a few friends and connections there that could possibly help, but that is different obviously
Are you attractive? I dated a attractive foreign girl whos job was to greet people in the lobby at a hotel. And she was given a nice room to stay at her hotel.
Hospitality doesn’t pay very much in Taiwan though. If you really want to do that, go somewhere else. You’d probably get 35k at a high end hotel. My friends gf works at the W and only make 38k after 2 years on the job.
But you don’t speak much Chinese so it’s a hard sell.
Thank you for the response.
I am looking at Taiwan as it is a rather convenient option for me besides going home where the pay is even lower.
I don’t speak much Chinese, but I do spend a lot of time practicing so I am hoping to improve.
Should I opt to take an HSK test or is that irrelevant? I have checked HSK1 level and could pass it no problems, but I don’t know if I should or which level to go for. If that is even relevant or useful
I’ve known several non-native English speakers working here in various jobs, but all of them had significant qualifications. The problem isn’t just finding a job. You will have a hard time finding anyone to hire you, but even if they want to, you need a work permit. To qualify for a work permit, you would almost certainly need a degree in an industry that is under-provided for by Taiwanese labor. Marketing is not in short supply. You might get a job in hospitality, but you would likely need a degree in the subject and management experience. It really seems like you don’t have the right qualifications, and you should start looking for other options like staying here as a student.
Also, if you’re from Southeast Asia, you might get work as a domestic helper or factory worker through an agency in your country, but that’s not a fun life.
Taiwanese government has scholarship programs for foreign students. Different requirements for work permits are applied to graduates of taiwanese universities.