When you first start looking for a job in Vietnam you may be amazed by the seemingly never-ending number of positions available and think that you have really fallen on your feet with your job search. However, it is important to be cautious as many of the jobs are not what they seem to be and all too soon you can find yourself in a situation where wages ( and even documents ) are withheld and you are struggling. As a result, it is important to proceed with caution and make sure that you apply for jobs that are sustainable with reputable companies.
Job adverts in Vietnam
Having looked at the job adverts you will quickly see a pattern of a very strong focus on qualifications, nationality and it is often hard to find out about what is actually required in the job. This is simply a typical Vietnamese approach to advertising jobs – the HR department typically advertises and their emphasis is on making sure that the relevant visa paperwork will be able to be fulfilled rather than the nitty-gritty of what you will be doing.
As a result, you will simply have to read between the lines to find out what the job entails and not to be judgemental about the general attitude and ethos of the company from the advert.
What to look for in the job advert
The main things that you will want to look at within the advert are the age of the students and if possible the class sizes. There is a huge variety in the number of students per class from small classes of 5 or 6 to huge groups of over 40. People thrive in different circumstances so decide what the maximum number of students you feel you can cope with would be and if you feel uncomfortable with very large groups then make sure you avoid those companies which cater to a packed classroom.
Classes can be large and have limited space
Although you may have been used to keeping school hours and having long school holidays in the West, this is not necessarily taken for granted in Vietnam. As a result, it is extremely important to look very carefully at the hours of the working day – even in a regular school you may be expected to work from 8 am until 5 pm ( even if school finishes at 3.30 pm ! )
Many companies give limited holidays – so it is important to make sure that you feel that you will have enough free time to rest and recuperate. In addition, it is important to make sure that you can take the holidays whenever you need to – many people feel strongly about going home for the Christmas holiday, etc – but do not take it for granted that this will be approved by your prospective company.
In the public school system, there is a huge three-month break for the summer – which is amazing, however, it is important to note that this is unpaid – so many have to find alternative summer school jobs during this time – so look very carefully at the amount of paid and unpaid holiday times.
Do your research about the company
With thousands of language schools from large companies to converted houses – there is a huge variety of reliability and conditions so it is vital to do your research on the company before taking your application any further.
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Classrooms can vary from a simple small room to a fully designed area
On our website, you will notice that there is a company profile section which is a link for each job advert that tells you some background about the company as well as any reviews that people have submitted about what it is like to work with them. Although time-consuming to plough through these it is vital to check the company – you will find that the companies that have a reputation will be well known by everyone and you will be able to find hundreds of horror stories about not being paid for months on end and passports confiscated etc!
Applying for a job
When you have found a job that appears to match your criteria and you have researched the company to check that they will provide you with all the resources, support, and regular payment, then you can apply.
Typically, the company will require an application letter that gives a summary of your qualifications and your experience. This needs to be short and precise rather than long and descriptive – remember that your application is one of many so the people reading does not have to do much than skim read.
An important point to add in your application status is your visa status – the process to get a TRC (temporary residents card) is complicated and requires a lot of paperwork so the organization will be interested in knowing what your current visa status is so that they are able to judge how hard it will to complete the paperwork for you should you be successful in your application.
Many companies will require all of your documentation once you have been offered a position (and before you have the contract) – this includes your passport – copies of your qualifications and your visa status.
This may be a new concept if you have only worked in the West previously and initially, you may be worried about people stealing your identity, etc if you send your passport copy over – but please be assured that this is normal procedure. It is only by having all the full information that the company is able to assess whether you will be able to get the working visa so do not hesitate to send over a clear scan (rather than simply sending a photograph )
The job market in Vietnam is huge – there is something for everyone, however, do make sure that you take the time to do your research, to apply with all of the documents required, and make sure that you are aware of all the conditions before you start – in this way you will soon be happily teaching in Vietnam and starting a new exciting career.
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