Since this is a mainly a job search site, I thought it might be best to write something about actually getting a job here in beautiful Taiwan. So today I am going to write about job interviews. I'm writing from the position of employer, me, looking for an employee, you.

Your first question is probably why listen to me, right? Well, I own an English cram school school here in Taipei and currently no teacher is making less than NT$900 per hour. So what am I looking for in a teacher?

The first thing you should do is follow the rules laid out in the job advertisement. If it says email your resume, then email it, don't fax it! And definitely don't bring it to my office and demand the secretary come get me so that you can introduce yourself! I will passionately file your resume right in my recycle bin!

'But Bill, going to your office shows I am serious?!' NO! coming to my office uninvited disrupts my schedule which at times can be dead, or very hectic. It also shows me you can't follow simple instructions. If the job ad says fax a cover letter and a resume and I only get a resume, recycle bin! If I ask for a photo and don't get one, recycle bin! You should be getting the picture.

But this is all me. The way I do things. If you don't care, there are plenty of bosses that also don't care and will make sure they get every penny out of not caring too.

Next step is to prepare a bit for the interview. This means shaving, combing your hair, wearing shoes, at least a pair of khakis, a button down collared shirt and a belt. This is the BARE minimum! You don't need a suit and tie, but I will give you plus ten points if you do.

Do NOT come into my office wearing shorts, jeans, sneakers and t-shirts! Recycle bin! I never understood why people think that because they come to Taiwan, the rules no longer apply. If you were back in your home country and you were going on a job interview for a position that the salary can range from US$15 to US$30 dollars per hour, would you be wearing cut off jeans? Not where I come from you wouldn't. So why do you do it here? If you can't give me the simple courtesy of wearing a nice clean shirt and slacks, why should I give you any courtesy at all!??? My time IS more valuable than yours.

You should also be able to answer a few basic questions very easily. Questions I ask are; Why do you want to teach? Why do you want to work here? Why did you leave your last job? Where do you want to be in 3 years? Do you actually like teaching? These are simple questions to see how you handle yourself. Do you look me in the eye when answering? Are you really nervous? If I shake your hand, do you shake mine back? A limp handshake, for me, equates to a limp disposition. Something I am not interested in.

Say words like 'sir'. It's simply a show of respect. Keep answers short and direct. Don't try to answer in long sentences because you will just sound like you are trying to show how smart you are, you're nervous, unsure what to say, or all of the above. Short, honest and direct!

And remember, more and more of the hiring for cram schools here is being done by foreigners like me. Weather they are the owners or not doesn't matter. They're still calling the shots. So show them some respect and land the really good jobs!

This is way longer than intended, so I'll stop here. If anyone has any questions, or wants me to expand on this topic, please feel free to comment. Or if you think i am full of s**t, tell me why. I will check the comments and try to reply as quickly as possible! Thanks!

bill@streetbacon.com