Thread: JULY or AUGUST to catch the seasonal advantage? (job hunting)

**Teacher Robert Worldwide** · 17th June 2012 21:26

Hey There !

I've taught in Thailand in the past, and spent the last year in the UK working on a private project and
also studying for my Cambridge CELTA (i passed)

I've got job offers right now for summer school in the UK during July.

My original plan was to arrive in Thailand in July (someone said it's the best time to seek contracts) but
I may delay until August so I can do the summer school work...

What's your opinion on the best time to arrive in Thailand when looking for work?

cheers

Teacher Robert

**happynz** · 18th June 2012 03:00

Originally Posted by Teacher Robert Worldwide

My original plan was to arrive in Thailand in July (someone said it's the best time to seek contracts)

July isn't the best time to seek contracts, but probably it isn't the worst either. There is a bit of an uptick in hiring during the October break.

**ttompatz** · 18th June 2012 06:05

Originally Posted by Teacher Robert Worldwide

What's your opinion on the best time to arrive in Thailand when looking for work?

You missed it.

The school year starts in mid May so the best time (most jobs to choose from) is from March to May.
There is another up-tick in the mid year break (replacement positions) in October with the return to work at the end of the month.

The rest of the year is pretty flat with Dec - Feb being the worst time to be looking.

.

**jonny danger** · 18th June 2012 06:10

For the first month or two just after the start is also a good time. Teachers do runners or don;t show up. These are the easy gigs to get as the schools are in a frenzy. They are also the jobs gotten from ground pounding.

**happynz** · 18th June 2012 09:44

Originally Posted by jonny danger

They are also the jobs gotten from ground pounding.

Yup. You could always do evening classes in the shopping mall language schools until something better comes up. Just be aware that you won't have a work permit and you'll be paid off the books, but don't worry, it isn't cloak and dagger stuff. You'll just have to do the odd visa run here and there.

**jonny danger** · 18th June 2012 10:04

Been there. Andaba mojado en mexico por seis años.

I'll never understand why so many of you guys are so afraid to break the law. Guess you just can't adjust to your target nation eh?

**fred flintstone** · 18th June 2012 10:06

i got it as soon as i posted.
do mexicans actually talk about *being 'mojado'?

**jonny danger** · 18th June 2012 10:11

yep. the rio grande wets you no matter if you go north to south or south to north.

**Teacher Robert Worldwide** · 19th June 2012 20:40

LOL - cheers for the tips... I have a few schools wanting me drop by, Language schools were going to be my first choice, just a question of Bangkok of Chang Mai.... was thinking of Phuket too....

**zeusbheld** · 19th June 2012 21:31

i got my first teachering job in August; it's half-decent and while there may not have been much available, the schools with openings are pretty eager to hire ASAP what with a month or so of classes before finals and all. also, in retrospect, there didn't seem to be that many people looking either. the school interviewed people recently during 'prime hiring season' and didn't actually hire the first schmoe who walked through the door. in August, obviously, they did (demonstrably, at least once)...

ps i say 'first teachering job' but three years later i'm still there. turned out to be a pretty decent job. wouldn't have realized that except that i watched the ads for longer, and realized just how unappealing most of them were.

**meand** · 19th June 2012 21:53

Originally Posted by Teacher Robert Worldwide

and spent the last year in the UK working on a private project

I have one of those too, it is called a collection of porn.

**NokYai** · 20th June 2012 01:31

Originally Posted by Teacher Robert Worldwide

LOL - cheers for the tips... I have a few schools wanting me drop by, Language schools were going to be my first choice, just a question of Bangkok of Chang Mai.... was thinking of Phuket too....

What's your native language? Well, if you sound like a native English speaker and look white, it'll probably be pretty easy to land a job most times of the year. September to October would probably be best as schools are wrapping up and will/may be looking for teachers for the following term. There will probably be jobs available any time during the school year. For example, my school is still trying to fill its roster, about a month into the term.

**Teacher Robert Worldwide** · 13th August 2012 12:09

Well thanks again for all this feedback ! I took some of your advice, got back out here and am now working again for some REALLY PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS.

Left my porn collection at home and have started meeting some really nice Thai girls....

**perrys** · 13th August 2012 14:04

"if you sound like a native English speaker and look white, it'll probably be pretty easy to land a job most times of the year." LOL!! Ah, So! So true in China as well. If you have those two "qualifications" you can get a job at any low quality "language schools" :-) BUT you must be alive AND younger than Methuselah.