Not at All
By: Andes Ormon Angel

“What is your advice in finding a job in the midst of discrimination? Please write on this issue only.” ( Manny)

Writing pieces of advice in finding a job in the midst of discrimination is a challenge. Honestly, I prefer not to sensationalize a topic that I feel not worth writing for because no matter what we do, we really can’t do anything about it. It’s an incurable disease. A cancer. A mindset that even Abraham Lincoln failed to change. A culture that will never be stopped or changed at this life time and even to the next generations. I am sorry to disappoint those PMA ( positive mental attitude) people but I don’t want to be an escapist. Reality is reality. It bites. I rather face the truth and suffer its consequence rather than think positively out of something that is killing me. It is good to PMA but mind you my dear Pinoys, this is one of the reasons why most of the time we suck. Think positively but do it the right way.

The problem is most of us think we can change the world. We think highly of ourselves. We problem ourselves too much. ( sorry about the verb, Pinoy English hihihi) In fact, what we have here in Thailand is not discrimination at all. The reason why they prefer Native Speakers is purely business 101. Parents like Native Speakers or people with white skin to teach their kids. What’s wrong with that? It’s time we stop thinking about helping Thai people to speak English. Let’s leave it to the “farangs”. If thai people want it that way, then leave it that way. Period. Why not go back to our country (I mean all of us) and improve the English of our kids first before we start thinking of helping other nationalities. FYI, the English competency level of our students is getting lower and lower every year. Some can’t read at all. I don’t want to sound like holier-than-thou but I came here in Thailand to experience and learn some teaching techniques that I can use effectively. In my two years stay, I learned a lot. My dear Pinoys, don’t be angry with me, but it’s not worth spending our time teaching unmotivated thai students. Salary is not even a consideration in staying here in Thailand. (10K-15K/month is a slave wage, a shame and it sucks). The truth is THEY DON’T WANT US HERE. THEY WANT FARANG.

Now, what are my pieces of advice in finding a job in the midst of discrimination? Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy. Don’t forget to have a glass of water beside you before you read this.

1. If you can’t understand job ads, find someone who does. Why? This is one way of stopping you from sending applications to an ad that says, “ Native Speakers Only”.

2. Don’t apply online. Why? I think school administrators have applicants filter program installed in their servers. Your application will be automatically deleted if you’re Pinoy.

3. Stop calling and asking school administrators if they need a teacher. They are always busy and they hate it if the call is from a Filipino saying “ Hillu, dis es Miregres. Du yu nid an Inglesh Techir? I am goad in spooken Inglesh.”

4. Knock and ye shall be opened. As for me, it’s better to apply personally. Why? You can show them that you are really good in English. Show them what you got. Be confident. Relax and don’t give them the signal that you desperately need a job. This is difficult to do especially if you haven’t eaten yet your lunch or breakfast coz your budget is one meal a day. Sorry for that.

5. Don’t wear your suit/necktie on the way to your interview. Why? Do I have to explain it? And for God’s sake wear a sando. Don’t forget to bring face powder. I am sure you don’t want to be in an interview with cooking oil on your face. In short, dress to kill. Be fashionable.

6. Respect yourself. If you feel that the administrators want you to feel that they don’t need your application, then leave and thank them for their time. Don’t ever, ever insist to them to consider your plea.

7. Be on time.

8. Check and recheck your application letter/resume. Use the updated format. Make it simple and relevant.

9. Don’t be too formal, dramatic and corny in your application letter.

10. Pray first before you apply. In the midst of discrimination, divine intervention plays an important role.

Good Luck to all Pinoy job hunters out there. May the force be with you always.