Thinking of relocating to Taiwan for work? Feeling uncertain about how to navigate this process? Keep reading Not sure what is the best way to do it? Read on to find out more.
Common issues and questions
The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese. Although the locals are well educated in English knowing some mandarin Chinese will always come to your advantage. Usually the younger locals will speak some or fluent English, but it is best for expats to try to learn the basics to handle any unexpected situations or deal with every-day life there. Even if your pronunciation is poor and the sentence may be gramatically incorrect, the locals can understand what you are trying to say surprisingly well.
Working in Taiwan can be very stressful, especially in the IT industry. In Taiwan's idiosyncratic job market, a foreigner can expect a unique blend of opportunities and challenges, where adaptability and an open mind are essential for survival. Conversely, in the case that you want to accept a non-teaching job, you may have to adapt to the work style of Taiwan. Although you won’t have to use that, as western calendar is more popular. "Navigating public bathrooms in older buildings can be a real adventure - you might stumble upon a squat toilet that's as alien to foreigners as a spaceship landing on Earth. And to make matters worse, don't even think about flushing your used toilet paper down the loo, or you'll risk clogging it up like a rusty pipe. Instead, just chuck it into the bin provided nearby - it may seem strange at first, but trust us, it's the way to go. Additionally, family always comes first for Taiwanese, which means you should expect the locals may cancel or change plans anytime due to family affairs. Consider "face" as a delicate vase that can break into a million pieces if handled improperly. In Taiwan, "face" is a very delicate topic. So, when interacting with the locals, make sure you don't do anything to embarrass them in public, or you might just find yourself persona non grata. And be prepared for some pretty personal questions, too - your weight, age, and marital status are all fair game, it seems! In this curious culture, privacy is a concept that's often viewed as... well, let's just say, rather flexibly. Anyway, moving right along to more practical matters... Probably the simplest thing to start if you're from an English-speaking country is to teach English in Taiwan. With salaries ranging from 50,000 to 66,000 NT (around $1,500-$2,000 USD), and a reasonable teaching schedule of 25-30 hours per week, it's not a bad gig at all. Just be prepared for some long days - we're talking 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with weekends off, plus office hours and prep time thrown in for good measure. Oh, and don't worry too much about creating your own lesson plans; you'll mostly be using pre-set materials or playing ESL games with your students to keep things engaging. If teaching isn't your thing, though, finding a non-teaching job can be a real challenge - most employers require a decent level of Chinese language skills, which might put you at a disadvantage if you're not fluent. Even for those coveted English-speaking jobs, a bachelor's degree and 2-5 years of relevant experience are often the minimum requirements. And did you know that Taiwan has one of the highest concentrations of IT talent in the world?
According to reports, Taiwan has some of the longest working hours in the world and unpaid overtime as a culture is quite popular.
Luckily, if you are looking to be an ESL teacher there, you do not have to worry about this, as your teaching hours are comparably lower than the locals and the salary is also higher, which is similar to back home.
There are some minor cultural issues that you may find difficult to understand, like the fact that your Taiwanese colleagues will probably be obsessed with K-pop and bubble tea. For instance, Taiwan has its own calendar, starting from 1911, which is the year when the government was founded, so don't be surprised if your birthday celebrations are a month ahead of schedule.
Additionally, navigating the complexities of Taiwanese business etiquette can be like walking through a minefield blindfolded - one wrong move and you'll offend someone.
Meanwhile, on the streets, be prepared for scooters that drive like they own the place, zipping past without so much as a flicker of their lights. And then there's the cultural differences that'll have you scratching your head - interacting with locals is a whole different ball game here. For instance, did you know that in Taiwan, it's considered impolite to finish a meal completely, leaving an empty plate is like telling your host they didn't provide enough food? Or that giving clocks as gifts is a big no-no, since the Chinese word for clock is similar to the word for funeral?"
When they feel upset or do not agree with you, they won’t tell you directly and you may have to find out their real feeling by yourself.
Typically, expats can find non-teaching jobs such as (English) editing jobs, (international) sales jobs, management jobs
Apply for jobs in Taiwan
To apply for the jobs, first please register your account on Find Work Abroad, uploading your CV and relevant documents, including a recent photo of you, photo of your passport, a degree and certificates (if you are applying for an English teaching position, it's advised for you to have a TEFL certificate. No TEFL? Click here. Although most employers do not require a TEFL in Taiwan) Use the top left drop-down menu to choose “Taiwan” and click the job section below. After successfully submitting your application, you will promptly receive a call from us and you can discuss how to select the best job for you with our consultant. Once you confirm an online interview time with us, you should prepare for the interview and show the best of you to the interviewer. If the interview is successful (occasionally there is a second round interview or more), you will receive a contract after a few days and when the contract is signed you, that means the position is secured by you.
Remember to use the filters (type, city and salary) to quickly reach the job you want.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to communicate with your employer about your application of
Future Prospects
There would be plenty of options for you after the contract is completed..
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