Job Discussion Forums

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Russia? Legal? Challenge? Sasha, I must learn more of what you write! I understand all of those words by themselves, but when they're together I don't quite comprehend.
Perhaps you know something I don't? Laughing

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:24 am Post subject:

Hee hee, yes, I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but there actually is some effective labour law in Russia, and claims can be brought against offending employers. The mere threat of doing so is usually enough because most schools are up to their necks in tax evasion. Plenty of my friends and colleagues have extracted holiday pay etc. in this way. Mind you, you need to have an full exit strategy in place, obviously.

bjp07 · Joined: 12 Feb 2012 Posts: 5

Hey,

I'm actually in the same boat. I'm currently teaching in South Korea and looking to head over to the motherland (studied Russian in college and eager to use it).

Aside from researching blacklisted schools, what are some red flags to look for when deciding whether or not a school is going to be good for you?

fishmael · Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Posts: 5

fishmael · Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Posts: 5

just curious but what makes a McSchool a McSchool in your opinion?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:19 pm Post subject:

Total shoddiness. Hence the high turnover rates of both staff and students.

VTsoi · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 8

So I've been back at home looking for Russian jobs over the past couple months and I seem to have reached a bit of an impasse.

It seems the vast majority of jobs listed on the internet are in Moscow or its suburbs. As previously mentioned I'm not interested in teaching there.

I had an offer from a place in Novosibirsk, but while the hourly pay was good, I would have been teaching on a student visa and would not have received financial assistance with my air fare or apartment. (Which, on top of summer and holiday lulls probably would have insured that I'd LOSE money). Now I'm fine breaking even, but I'd prefer not to go into a job expecting there's a decent chance I'll need to drop 4-6K to cover rent and a flight home when things go south.

My top choice remains Kazan, though I'm also at a point where I'd consider something in Vladivostok or Western Russia (Smolensk for example).

Anyway, I have a couple questions for the experienced posters of this board:

1. Should I simply hunker down until September when hiring picks up again? If I do, will I be likely to encounter job postings in the aforementioned areas online?

2. How might I find and get ahold of schools in the aforementioned areas that do NOT advertise job openings? Any pms, tips, or simple search advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks. Hope you're all enjoying the beginning of summer.

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

VTsoi · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 8

TL:DR version- anyone, please.

1. Are job openings in Kazan or Smolensk/Western Russia ever posted online? Will I be more likely to see them as September approaches?

2. If not, does anyone know of schools in these areas?

3. Any tips for finding schools that do not advertise postings?

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench