I keep a very careful record of how many job ads are posted each month. By the time we get to the end of January 2008, we will have posted approx 80 fewer jobs compared to January 2007.
Before we continue, keep in mind that the number of job ads doesn't reflect the number of teaching positions. Indeed you can have one single job ad which might include a dozen positions. However, there have definitely been fewer job ads around. I have a few theories on why this is currently the case because you can never ignore market forces.
Firstly, a lot of employers are feeling 'cagey' about putting job vacancies on-line (either on ajarn.com or any TEFL job site) perhaps for fear of scrutiny from the authorities. I've had quite a few teachers tell me that their school has vacancies - and they usually post them on ajarn - but won't do so in the current climate. Whether it's because that particular school can't make their teachers legal or for whatever reason - we can only speculate. In conclusion, there's never been a better time to just knock on doors and ask a school if they're looking for teachers.
We've also lost a good percentage of the teaching agencies. We brought in a new rule some time ago and now agencies (or any employer for that matter) can no longer post free job ads with vague statements such as 'teachers wanted in all areas of Thailand'. If you are recruiting for a particular school then you must name that school. This change was long overdue because teachers were applying to several different agencies and finding that the 'end job' was at the same school. Possibly a school they'd already worked at. All that happens in this situation is wasted time for all concerned.
There has been a decrease in the number of 'lower-end' schools posting jobs - many of them in the private language school sector, paying 200-250 baht an hour. Many of these 'low-payers' are now being fed teachers directly from companies who offer a teacher package with guaranteed employment. I'm not saying I always agree with this practice but I guess business is business.
On a final note, we've seen a dramatic increase in the number of employers using the resume database. Perhaps this is the new trend. Rather than stick an ad on-line and wade through dozens of inappropriate resumes, schools are targeting specific teachers whose details appear on-line. So make sure you keep your ajarn resume updated because you never know what job offers might come your way.