Job Discussion Forums

[gingerese]

I have two years teaching experience in China and Korea. I have an American passport but Mexican blood (50%). How do I get started finding employment?

[moonraven]

Do you have any relatives here in Mexico?

[MELEE]

First you should choose a part of Mexico that you are interested in, maybe the region where your family comes from, but then again maybe not.

If you do have family in Mexico, I'd say milk that for all its worth. Mexico is still a place that runs through nepotism and connections. Nephews, cousins, god-daughters, generally have first preference. (My sister-in-law's godfather is a collectivo driver and he never charges me, too bad I can't work it so that I get into his cab everyday!) Have them ask around before you arrive.

If you don't have family in Mexico (or don't want to locate near them) don't assume your Mexican heritage will be an asset. Like in China and Korea, language school directors may perfer to hire what they consider to be "real" Americans. (I DO NOT CONDONE THIS PRACTICE!) In this case, face to face interviews might get you further than sending your resume on in advance. If you have a Spanish last name they might question your native speaker status before they ever hear you speak.

On the other hand, if you are eligible for dual citizenship, and interested in spending more than a year or two in Mexico, getting your Mexican papers would free you from immigration hassels and could open up some jobs to you in schools that perfer to hire nationals.

If you take some time to read the old posts, there are a lot of good tips as to how to go about the job search.

[gingerese]

That's interesting that you mention dual citizenship. Where can I find out more info on that? My grandfather was born in Mexico.

[MELEE]

You should contact your nearest Mexican consulate, here's a list

But when you said 50% I was thinking more like one of your parents was born here, but you should still look into it.

[MixtecaMike]

If you want to find a teaching job in Mexico City just turn up, preferably with a couple of references and any university degree. Grab the local paper and you will find jobs galore, mainly mornings and evenings on a per-hour rate, but enough to get you started.

If you are only interested in short-term, you don't even need a degree, but its essential if you want to get a work visa.

Stay away from places on ESL cafe looking to catch unsuspecting kids with totally crap wages and "a chance to learn Spanish," if you don't already speak it you should pick it up very quickly without their "Free Spanish Classes"

But being here is the key to decent jobs, unless you have a relevant Masters degree.

[tara_lee_anne]

Is that only for Mexico city then??? My mother teaches in Puerto Vallarta (without a degree) and she has a FM3. I've never heard it mentioned before that you must have a university degree to be able to obtain a working visa.......

[lozwich]

Neither have I Tara, but things are (apparently) very different in different places in Mexico, depending on which immigration office you go to. All I've heard (and experienced) is that you need a teaching qualification to get an FM3. Thing is, to get the teaching qual, you usually need a university degree anyway, regardless of which country you're going to.

Lozwich.

[MELEE]