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Finding a job in Mexico

 
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RoisinDubh



Joined: 23 Apr 2011
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 10:51 pm    Post subject: Finding a job in Mexico Reply with quote

I have been in love with the idea of going to Latin America for over 10 years now and I think it's time to bite the bullet. Mexico is one of the places I've been considering. The thing is, I have NO idea where to start. I'm teaching ESL in London right now and don't really have any connections in Mexico. How would I go about finding a decent job? Is it common to get hired while abroad or would I need to go in person?

I'm open to going anywhere in the country and my main concern is personal safety. My other concern is money - what can I expect to earn and what kind of living standards can I expect?

I'm 26, female and a British citizen. I have a BA, MA and CELTA and 3+ years full time ESL experience including Cambridge exams, IELTS and Business English.
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EFLeducator



Joined: 16 Dec 2011
Posts: 595
Location: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:03 am    Post subject: Re: Finding a job in Mexico Reply with quote

RoisinDubh wrote:
I have been in love with the idea of going to Latin America for over 10 years now and I think it's time to bite the bullet. Mexico is one of the places I've been considering. The thing is, I have NO idea where to start.


I think there are a few posters here who are British so they should be responding to you soon. If I remember correctly, Phil K is from Great Britain so he can help you since he has been in Mexico City for a while.

RoisinDubh wrote:
I'm teaching ESL in London right now and don't really have any connections in Mexico. How would I go about finding a decent job? Is it common to get hired while abroad or would I need to go in person?


You would need to be there in person most likely. The following posters can help you with Mexico City.

Phil K

Guy

Prof. Gringo

RoisinDubh wrote:
I'm open to going anywhere in the country and my main concern is personal safety. My other concern is money - what can I expect to earn and what kind of living standards can I expect?


If your main concern is money and you're going to Mexico, I would suggest you go to Mexico City. I lived and taught there for years and that is the place where you will make the most money in Mexico. Plus it is safe from the drug wars that are raging in the north and the border. The south part of Mexico City, close to Insurgentes Sur is nice and safe.

Have fun and keep everyone posted!
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Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:43 am    Post subject: Re: Finding a job in Mexico Reply with quote

EFLeducator wrote:
RoisinDubh wrote:
I have been in love with the idea of going to Latin America for over 10 years now and I think it's time to bite the bullet. Mexico is one of the places I've been considering. The thing is, I have NO idea where to start.


I think there are a few posters here who are British so they should be responding to you soon. If I remember correctly, Phil K is from Great Britain so he can help you since he has been in Mexico City for a while.

RoisinDubh wrote:
I'm teaching ESL in London right now and don't really have any connections in Mexico. How would I go about finding a decent job? Is it common to get hired while abroad or would I need to go in person?


You would need to be there in person most likely. The following posters can help you with Mexico City.

Phil K

Guy

Prof. Gringo

RoisinDubh wrote:
I'm open to going anywhere in the country and my main concern is personal safety. My other concern is money - what can I expect to earn and what kind of living standards can I expect?


If your main concern is money and you're going to Mexico, I would suggest you go to Mexico City. I lived and taught there for years and that is the place where you will make the most money in Mexico. Plus it is safe from the drug wars that are raging in the north and the border. The south part of Mexico City, close to Insurgentes Sur is nice and safe.

Have fun and keep everyone posted!


Glad to be of help!
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Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:45 am    Post subject: Re: Finding a job in Mexico Reply with quote

RoisinDubh wrote:
I have been in love with the idea of going to Latin America for over 10 years now and I think it's time to bite the bullet. Mexico is one of the places I've been considering. The thing is, I have NO idea where to start. I'm teaching ESL in London right now and don't really have any connections in Mexico. How would I go about finding a decent job? Is it common to get hired while abroad or would I need to go in person?

I'm open to going anywhere in the country and my main concern is personal safety. My other concern is money - what can I expect to earn and what kind of living standards can I expect?

I'm 26, female and a British citizen. I have a BA, MA and CELTA and 3+ years full time ESL experience including Cambridge exams, IELTS and Business English.


To be honest, you will have no problem finding a job in Mexico, at least not in the major cities.

The problem will be to get established and try to make enough pesos.

Most jobs pay survival wages, but you should only apply to the cream of the crop colegios (the good private high schools) and top uni�s.

Best of luck!
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Enchilada Potosina



Joined: 03 Aug 2010
Posts: 344
Location: Mexico

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:25 am    Post subject: Re: Finding a job in Mexico Reply with quote

RoisinDubh wrote:
I'm 26, female and a British citizen. I have a BA, MA and CELTA and 3+ years full time ESL experience including Cambridge exams, IELTS and Business English.

Go for a uni job as you have an MA or one of the nicer colegios as the Prof says. Hiring takes place in July - August and also December - January. You will need to be here.

With an MA and experience you shouldn't have to bother with the modern day slavery that is working in a language school here.

Shop around, some places pay quite well. It's really not worth coming here to live on the pittance some places pay so bring enough dough so that you don't have to take the first job that comes along.
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Guy Courchesne



Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I'm open to going anywhere in the country and my main concern is personal safety. My other concern is money - what can I expect to earn and what kind of living standards can I expect?

I'm 26, female and a British citizen. I have a BA, MA and CELTA and 3+ years full time ESL experience including Cambridge exams, IELTS and Business English.


Questions...how long do you plan to stay and is teaching your career?

What is your MA in?

If you're up for working with kids then the private school circuit can pay well and offer a career path. If you're just going to be here for a year to pick up Spanish and have fun, then you're fine for work but pay will only sustain you...no savings.

As for safety...most of the country is fine. Mexico City is an easy start for job opportunities and safety but there are plenty of other areas such as the Yucatan, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Queretaro, Guanajuato...

Best to be here in person for job seeking if you don't have a UK contact to set things up. Try to make as many email and phone contacts as you can before coming but know that it's not common to have anything locked up before coming.
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RoisinDubh



Joined: 23 Apr 2011
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for all the help. I'm pleasantly surprised to find that I may be able to get a good job with my MA as over here, it's worth nothing. Not so surprised to hear about the wages. Is it easy enough to find private students to supplement your income from your main job? Are uni jobs also quite badly paid with no possibility of saving?

My MA is in Translation (Spanish-English). I suppose teaching is my career - I really wanted to become a translator but have found it close to impossible to break into the industry as a young person with little experience, so for now I think TEFL is the way to go.

Initially, I wouldn't want to commit to more than a year, as I haven't even travelled to Mexico and I might hate it, for all I know. Mexico City sounds good, but to be honest, I'm not sure I'd be happy living in another major city. I will look into the other options suggested and see if any seem relatively small (which to me means under a million people) and calm.
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notamiss



Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 908
Location: El 5o pino del la CDMX

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote </