If you’re interested in teaching abroad, you may have come across programs offering “job placement guarantees.” In this blog post, I’ll explain what a job placement guarantee is, the pros and cons of such guarantees, and which company I recommend to go through.
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What is a job placement guarantee?
If you’re brand new to teaching abroad, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed by several things like:
- Getting a visa to legally teach abroad
- Recognizing if a job is a scam or not
- Knowing if you have to apply for a job from abroad or within the country
- Finding housing abroad
- Getting help in your new country upon arrival
Because teaching abroad for the first time can be confusing, more and more companies are now offering job placement guarantees to support new teachers transition to a new country.
A job placement guarantee is aimed at new teachers who have either recently completed a TEFL course or will be taking their TEFL course abroad. Depending on the company, you may be guaranteed a set number of hours per week, a minimum salary, visa assistance, orientation upon arrival and more. There is always a fee associated with the type of guarantee.
Pros of Teach Abroad Job Placement Guarantees
Here are some of the positive aspects of these types of placements:
- Great for new teachers who have not been through a foreign visa process before and need extra help
- You can arrive in the country with a guaranteed teaching position
- You’ll have a point of contact in case you need help
- It makes the transition abroad feel less stressful and safer
Cons of Teach Abroad Job Placement Guarantees
There are some negative aspects to these types of placements:
- It’s an extra cost – can feel like you are paying for a job
- You will likely be assigned to a school and your visa may be tied to this school which makes it difficult to get a new assignment if you are unhappy
- It’s not really necessary if you’ve taught abroad before (unless you want everything handled for you)
My Thoughts on Teach Abroad Job Placement Guarantees
I personally have never used a job placement guarantee (they weren’t around when I first started teaching abroad), but if I were a new teacher today, I would consider it for the peace of mind for my first job abroad. I think it’s also very valuable for countries with a difficult visa process or a lot of job competition.
A word of warning: not all companies that offer job placement guarantees are the same quality. Some that include a TEFL course will provide you with a certificate that isn’t accredited and is only recognized by that company. I recommend doing your research and always asking to speak with program alumni who are actually teaching abroad.
Do you need to do a job placement program if you are a first-time teacher? No, absolutely not. There are so many ways to teach abroad. However, if you’d like to pay extra to streamline the process, it’s a good option.
Teach Abroad Job Placement Programs I Recommend
If you are interested in teaching in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, or Costa Rica with a job placement guarantee, I recommend the placements from International TEFL Academy.
ITA has a network of over 2,000 vetted schools where they place teachers. You’ll get matched with a job, help with the visa paperwork, cultural training, and personalized support.
Click here to learn more about International TEFL Academy’s Job Placement Programs
I hope this post has clarified what a job placement guarantee is and if it’s right for you. If you’re still unsure, send me a DM on Instagram @eslteacher365 or click here to fill out my survey and I’ll email you back.
