Job Discussion Forums

ev2000 · Joined: 05 Jan 2014 Posts: 2 Location: New Zealand

I'm feeling a little foolish right now, and have almost fully accepted that I am not going to Russia after all, even though I had a skype interview in October with a recruiter and was offered a job at Moscow Economic School. I was told that since the semester had already begun, they needed someone ASAP (mid-November at the latest); so I gave notice at work and moved out of my place, wanting to be ready to leave as soon as my visa came through. This, I was told, would likely take up to five weeks and would involve first sending away my documents via email and then waiting for a letter of invitation from Russian immigration. I sent away the required docs (copy of passport and qualifications etc via email), was sent an electronic copy of a contract to peruse, and then didn't hear anything further until November. At this point, the recruiter informed me that due to a clamp down on illegal immigrants in Russia, visa processing would probably not be complete until December. It was suggested that I spend Christmas at home and start in the next semester, on January 13. However, I have still had no word, and my latest email to the recruiter has gone unanswered. I have not signed anything or been asked for any money, so I'm speculating that if this has been some sort of scam, the only thing they could do with what I gave them is steal my identity? Is this even possible or have I been watching too many Russian spy movies?

amisexy · Joined: 24 May 2012 Posts: 78

It's hard to tell what it might be.

It could be that they wanted to steal your identity, but that's hopefully quite unlikely. More likely, it's just that they wanted a teacher before, and now they don't. Maybe (sorry to say!) they found someone 'better'. Maybe someone walked through their front door, and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Maybe they have less students now than before, so don't need a new teacher. Maybe the tax/ immigration authorities have caught up with them in some way.

The general advice on this forum is to apply to a 'McSchool', such as IH BKC, Language Link or English First for your first job in Russia. I'm pretty sure I've seen them all advertise on the holidays for new teachers. They are all big, fairly stable and have systems in place for hiring new teachers.

Maybe it's best to put this recruiter behind you and look to the future.
Good luck!

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

This is a very Russia-sounding situation.
1. As amisexy wrote, they might not need you;
2. Nothing gets done between December 28th or so and January 13th in Russia. NOTHING;
3. They will call/email you on January 12th with all your documents ready and with a plane ticket, then act surprised when you say you'd assumed they've moved on. OR, even better, they call/email you on January 14th asking you why you didn't show for the first day of classes.

None of the above would surprise me in the least.
Good luck!

ev2000 · Joined: 05 Jan 2014 Posts: 2 Location: New Zealand

Well, it's somewhat comforting to know that this is not unusual for Russia, so thank you amisexy and jpvanderwerf2001 for the feedback. Makes me feel less of an idiot for quitting my job before I actually had a signed contract or visa in hand!

The silver lining to this particular cloud is 1) I enjoyed a month-long vacation to Vegas, since I had time to kill; and 2) my Russian job offer (real or not) was probably the kick up the butt I needed to finally leave my old job, where I wasn't happy, but would probably have stayed until I went crazy. Comfort and security and all that.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:12 am Post subject:

Sorry to hear all that.

Sadly, agree with all the above. But would add one further point - not a happy one, though. When a Russian company or rep stops all contact with you, that is a sure sign that the deal is off. Do not expect them to have the courtesy to actually inform you of that though. The usual approach they take is to just pretend nothing ever happened in the first place, and then avoid all possible contact and/or conflict with the other party.

That's not to say that they won't contact you very soon, as JP says. It is just unlikely, and still frustrating with not knowing for sure either way. In any case, start making alternative plans. No need to give up on the idea of coming here totally, as disheartened as you may feel right now.

An idea for a poll for old hands in Russia: how many job interviews did you go to which were full of promises, yet had no follow-up and proved to be a total waste of time?

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

I have never had that in Russia, but it happened to me in Ukraine. Although the main culprit was an American not a Russian.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:41 pm Post subject:

Really? You lucky sod. You must have a kindly face : )

LAR1SSA · Joined: 02 Nov 2013 Posts: 48 Location: Memphis

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

I soon learned the hard way in Russia that firms have a habit of asking you to go for an interview, saying o.k. and then leave you waiting indefinitely until they suddenly contact you weeks or even months later, expecting you to be available next day or next week etc !!Most firms seem to prefer to have a data base of suitable people who they can call on if and when, rather than recruiting for positions that start immediately....be wary!