Teaching Jobs in Taiwan - Desired Appearance

English-teaching jobs in Taiwan have been fairly easy to come by, offering good pay for relatively easy work. To get a legal job foreigners must meet certain criteria, such as being a citizen of one of several countries, where English is an official language, having a BA degree etc.

Obviously there are hundreds of illegal jobs for those who dare risk possible fine and deportation. Naturally, in such cases applicant's background does not go through that much scrutiny.

However, some interviewees get rejected without any clear reasons given. Here are several tips and explanations that can either help you land desired job or at least get you over disappointment of not getting it.

Race

While Taiwanese are generally very tolerant and nice people, some racial prejudices persist, in particular in older generation (which means bosses and parents). Your chances for getting a teaching job increase if you are Caucasian and decrease significantly, if you are black or South-East Asian, no matter whether you speak wonderful English and hold an degree in education. As a matter of fact, an American friend of mine with an MA degree in education was actually given a job following a telephone interview, but was rejected with a lame excuse after she showed up at the school and the boss found out she was black. As unfair as it is, there is unfortunately very little you can do about this, as confrontation will get you nowhere.

Sex

While for most school jobs it does not really matter whether you are male or female, some parents do object to male tutors for their kids due to worries of child abuse. Thus getting a job at school should be no problem - there is usually a Chinese assistant teacher in the classroom anyway - tutoring young kids, on the other hand, might be a little more difficult.

Proper attire

While nobody expects you to work wearing a suit and tie, meeting the boss in shorts and flip-flops is probably not the best idea, as it is felt as rather disrespectful. Some schools require teachers wear long pants in classes and even if they don't, I still believe it definitely gives you plus points if you wear long pants and a shirt at your interview and/or demo.

Clean Looks

This is a very vague concept, which however plays an important role. Thus an ideal teacher has no visible tatoos or piercing, is cleanly shaved, and in case of male teachers has short hair etc. Imagine a hero/heroine of a Hollywood movie from the 50's and you generally have the idea.

Proper Accent

While most Taiwanese do not really have a clear idea what American accent is, it is what they want. Thus a high-school drop-out with incomprehensible slang - but American slang, mind you! - may be favored over a university educated European teacher. Unless the latter claims American ancestry, naturally.

Hope that the points above help you get the job you want or at least explain to you an unexplainable rejection. They are obviously no 100% rules and there is always a chance to find a job with a more enlightened boss even if you do not fit the "perfect teacher" mold, but it may take you more time looking for it.