What to prepare before leaving?

[Icon]

Or rather, what to do before the jump? I am setting up a timetable and I would like to ask for your knowledgeable input regarding what and how to prepare. This frog does not know where she is jumping yet -got a couple of offers... irresistible at half current salary but such is the way the cookie crumbles- but jump she will, one way or another.

For example, update the old CV. Any suggestions as to current fashionable formats? Savings should be OK. How about trips/vacations? Before or after the jump? After has the advantage of no time constraints...

[PigBloodCake]

This frog does not know where she is jumping yet -got a couple of offers... irresistible at half current salary but such is the way the cookie crumbles- but jump she will, one way or another.

May I ask why are you switching to a new job that pays 1/2 of what you're getting now?

Is the current job really that bad?

[Icon]

This frog does not know where she is jumping yet -got a couple of offers... irresistible at half current salary but such is the way the cookie crumbles- but jump she will, one way or another.

May I ask why are you switching to a new job that pays 1/2 of what you're getting now?

Is the current job really that bad?

It will cease to exist. And even if it wasn't, I am aware that finding such a high paying job is not a short term ralistic goal, it will take another few years of climbing up the pole.

[headhonchoII]

If you are going to get laid off can you wait for some severance pay?

[PapaAzucar]

Does Taiwan even have government funded unemployment compensation like in the US or some other western countries?

BTW, 90% of the tech jobs searches are done thru social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. unless you want to go backwards into teaching, in which case, schools still accept emailed CVs.

As for what to prepare before leaving:

1) Start networking for your next position (social media, meetups, etc.).

2) Learn some new skills like web development, SEO, social media marketing, etc., or whatever the next cool buzzwords are.

3) Maybe reduce your cost of living like move to a cheaper place, cancel cable tv, etc.

I personally would not spend on any travel unless you can justify it as a job scouting mission. Good luck.

[flike]

How's your time off situation? If you haven't had at least a week off lately, or if you just feel the battery running low, then take some time between this job and the next. You and your new employer will be glad you did.

Best of luck.

[PigBloodCake]

Does Taiwan even have government funded unemployment compensation like in the US or some other western countries?

Great question. Yes she does.

http://www.easyexpat.com/en/taipei/work/unemployment-benefits.htm

Ah but the website above failed to mention that there is a salary cap on the 60% unemployment benefit. The cap is somewhere around $49k NT which means that, if you do make more than that, you'll only get up to around $29k NT per month max for 6 months.

BTW, 90% of the tech jobs searches are done thru social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. unless you want to go backwards into teaching, in which case, schools still accept emailed CVs.

Well, you can go through headhunters if you have ample experience. They'll fight for a better pay than going through 104 directly.

[PigBloodCake]

BTW (and this is important), do take those accrued vacation days if your employment has weekend off. Finish 'em if you could.

Why? Cuz those accrued vacation days will be calculated in accordance with 30 working days (you read that right....30 damn days) and NOT your typical 22 working days per month (assuming 4 weekends per month) since Taiwan employment is usually based on monthly pay with 30 days as normal **working** days.

E.g. say if you have 10 accrued vacation days and didn't use them. Well, you'll be getting 10/30 working days pay on your last paycheck with that company for those unused vacation days (on top of whatever days they haven't pay you yet). You do the math on that one.

I bet you guys don't know this.

[Icon]

Does Taiwan even have government funded unemployment compensation like in the US or some other western countries?

BTW, 90% of the tech jobs searches are done thru social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. unless you want to go backwards into teaching, in which case, schools still accept emailed CVs.

As for what to prepare before leaving:

1) Start networking for your next position (social media, meetups, etc.).

2) Learn some new skills like web development, SEO, social media marketing, etc., or whatever the next cool buzzwords are.

3) Maybe reduce your cost of living like move to a cheaper place, cancel cable tv, etc.

I personally would not spend on any travel unless you can justify it as a job scouting mission. Good luck.

What would be the best way to learn these technical skills? You do not know me, PapaAzucar, Icon is well skilled in many areas, but computers are my Aquilles' heel. As a matter of fact, anything with more than two buttons, but I am willing and able to learn. Can you point me in the right direction?

[tango42]

What happened to all that great information that was in this thread (posted by me and others) related to leaving Taiwan?

I went to a lot of work to put that together and contribute to this board and also to have that for a record as I didn't keep the information. At least put it in another thread.