Job Discussion Forums

[nz_taniwha]

Hi all,
Barring some catastrophic event, I'll have completed my CELTA in four days time, and going by my results so far I expect to pass. I've really enjoyed it and learned a heck of a lot, but now comes the fun/tricky part - finding a job.

About Me:
-I've done my CELTA in New Zealand and I'm a New Zealand citizen.
-I have a Bachelor's degree in Media/Communications, and a Diploma in Journalism.
-I have no teaching experience apart from what we've done on the course, which has been teaching students of mixed nationalities.
-My most recent work history is as a radio journalist (2 years) and before that, a newspaper reporter (just over 2 years.)

I want to work in Central or Eastern Europe, mainly because the general area fascinates me, and I realise that as a non-EU, Western Europe is virtually a no-go. I also want to try my luck at securing a job before I leave New Zealand, for my own piece of mind. I hope to start as soon as possible, which likely means September.

Therefore: what's my best plan of attack? I was planning on applying for every job I could find, that interested me and that I was qualified for. (I know that generally speaking, jobs are secured 'on the ground' in this region - part of the reason I want to try to secure a job before I go is that I still can't pick which country I want to go to. A job offer would make my decision for me.)

Also: What should I emphasise on my C.V, given my lack of experience in ELT?

[spiral78]

Most hiring in the region is done at the end of August to early September - contracts are normally September - June.

I think you are seriously limiiting your chances of getting any job at all by sticking to the hiring from abroad idea - when an employer has teachers standing in his/her office, he/she is unlikely to be considering applications via email. The majority of the applicants here on the ground will also have a CELTA or equivalent, and while some may be newbies like you, others will already have one European contract behind them.

[Insubordination]

Agreed. I doubt you'd be able to find a reputable job via your computer in New Zealand. I would be flexible with that idea.

It's not impossible. I got my job in Spain while I was in Germany, but it was an emergency situation for them, as someone had done a runner and I was willing to start within days. Also, I had the advantage of fluent Spanish, ten years' experience and a British passport. Even then, hiring me on the basis of a telephone interview was a risk for the employer. Put yourself in their shoes.

Are you under 30? If so, you can get a one-year Working Holiday Visa to many EU countries. Do you have a European parent/grandparent from whom you could claim ancestry? If so, look into that.

Good news is that you already have your CELTA, so you will have more days to look for a job in Czech Republic or other countries where you might be able to legally apply for a work permit

Good luck at this exciting time and congratulations in advance on passing the CELTA. May you have some great adventures ahead of you.

[nz_taniwha]

I'm 26 next month - so yes, the Working Holiday Visa idea could open up more countries. Good point. But sadly I have no European ancestry; I'm 'Kiwi' through-and-through.

Food for thought, thank you both - I think I'll still have a shot at applying on-line, see how far I get and make the most of the experience. But looks like I'll have to 'pick a country' and hit the ground running.

The next question is largely rhetorical, but - how do I decide where to go ?!

[Sigma]

There is a work holiday agreement between the Czech Republic and New Zealand, but work has to be 'incidental', with the main reason being travel.

http://www.mzv.cz/sydney/en/visa_consular_information/working_holidays_scheme_for_new_zealand.html