Job Discussion Forums

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Newbie here - long time follower, first time post-er. I've done my best to scour these forums looking for the answer to my question. My apologies if I've missed it - I would greatly appreciate the link if I have.

A little about me - thirty year old female from the US with a TEFL certificate from an Hamline University, 40 hours worth of practicum experience and an additional 30 hours of volunteer experience (2 hours/wk) teaching intermediate level adult learners. I also have a bachelor's in marketing. Heading back to school soon for an advanced TEFL certificate which would give me another 11 credits (I have 8 already) towards my master's. The advanced level certificate includes 3 classes - Basics of Modern English, Linguistics for Language Teachers, and Second Language Acquisition. Also, I've worked as a nanny for 12 years.

I'm looking to head to Europe this summer - I already have a Skype interview lined up for a school in the Czech Republic. I've also applied to a few job postings listed on this site, as well as TEFL.com. I know that as a US citizen it is highly unlikely that I'll be able to secure a position before I leave, but I'm going to give it a try anyway. Worst case scenario: I don't find a job, and wind up pounding the pavement. It's no skin off my back if I give it a go anyway, right?

Here's my question: What is the etiquette for sending unsolicited CV's via email? Is it a no-no? I'm fine with getting no response, I just want to make sure I'm not committing any cardinal sins. I certainly wouldn't want to offend or annoy any possible future employers.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[spiral78]

Ok, I think you'd do well to do a bit more research.

It doesn't matter if you are a US citizen or from the UK (and hence with a legal right to work in the EU) - at the entry level (which you are only very slightly - not dramatically - above according to your post) no-one finds a job from abroad. The rare exceptions are for very rural schools or for those that are so dodgy the local teachers don't want to work for them. And, very occasionally, schools looking to hire someone with a specialty, such as training and experience working with small children.

The issue here is that there are simply a lot of teachers around available to interview in person and reputable schools don't need to take any chances on someone sight-unseen.

Good news: you can still get a legal work permit as a US citizen for the 'new' EU member countries, including the Czech Rep. Germany is also a possibility, but don't waste time with France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc. Just too vastly unlikely to work out, short of your marrying a local or joining a work/study programme. You can find more info on this on the country-specific forums below.

Bad news: you only have 90 days from landing in the Schengen zone (google this if you are not already familiar) to find a job that will support your work permit process.

Timing: most contracts in the region are Sept/Oct through June. The main hiring season in end August through September. If you come over in July you risk not finding anyone around to interview you (holidays are taken very seriously here). Your clock will be ticking; after 90 days you will have to leave the entire zone and stay out for 90 days before re-entering to remain legal.

To maximise your chances, come over mid/end August and pound the pavements then. You'll have competition and your nationality is not an advantage, as any would-be employer will have to jump through some legal hoops on your behalf, but you should have a reasonable shot at it.

So far as unsolicited emails, it's unlikely to help you but also won't really hurt. Tell them when you plan to arrive, and ask if you can contact them then for an interview.

Good luck

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Thanks for the advice, Spiral. I was pleasantly surprised to see that you replied. I must admit to being a little star-struck.

Germany was another country I was looking into.

I misspoke when I said I'd be heading over this summer. The summer months have been a source of anxiety for me, I've been fixated on everything I have to do before I leave - school, save, get paperwork in order, figure out what to pack, and oh BTW, where the heck am I going?? I guess I was hoping ease my mind a little by trying to nail down a job before leaving. I'm ever optimistic but definitely have a hope for the best, plan for the worst approach to life.

[spiral78]

No, of course not- you may have possibly stumbled upon one of those very rare situations where a legit school actually needs someone to fit some specific context.

However, at the first hint that they want you to send them money, end the interview and cut them off cold.

And don't agree to anything weird, like living in a room in the home of the school owner.


If you feel like, you could post the name of the school or at least its location (I will presume small town) on the Czech forum below - either I or some of the other regulars there may know if it's generally legit or not.

[coledavis]

Sorry Spiral, I beg to disagree. Most of my jobs have been obtained via remote application, including via unsolicited cv. So in my opinion, the main issues are experience and, in the European Union, whether or not a visa is required (as is the case for Americans).

If you don't mean western Europe, then you could consider countries outside the EU. The point is that at least you are on an even playing field with EU citizens (i.e. if visas are required, everybody needs them; if they are not, it is still an even contest in terms of employer effort.) So you might consider Russia or Ukraine (not Belarus, in my opinion, as it is really difficult to find a a half decent job there).

[spiral78]

Dear Coledavis:

Yes, I beg your pardon - I was being too region-centric. Russia and the other Eastern European countries are indeed a different kettle of fish in the matter of applying from abroad. It is indeed the norm there, as you point out. My experience East of the Czech Rep is limited to a couple of projects in Moscow.

I was likely distracted by the OP's mention of the Czech Republic - for Central/Eastern Europe, it is in fact far more common to have to be in country before a job will be found.

Also true for Western Europe, but except for Germany, near-impossible for a US citizen to find work anyway.

Best,
spiral

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Thanks Coledavis, and thanks again Spiral.

I'll be on the lookout for any weirdness during my interview.

Russia and Ukraine were also places I was considering, though I do have some questions about the political climate which I will post later in their respective forums.

I think I will also take your advice, Spiral, and put out some feelers about the school in the CR forum. I haven't come across anything on them, aside from their website in my searches. They're new though, so maybe that's why.

Thank you for your time and input!

[coledavis]

Briefly (before you go to those boards), I would say that the political climate doesn't have a lot of effect on English teachers. Ok, you may be rather less wise there to call the country's president names than in most western countries, but that's about the size of it.

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Good to know, Coledavis - thanks!

I was hoping to hear that. Now if I could just convince my suburban-soccer-mom sister of that so she'd stop regaling me with the latest riot/violence/wrongful imprisonment stories....

[coledavis]

riot/violence/wrongful imprisonment

Tell your mum not to visit England!

[Sashadroogie]

Come to Russia! Join the Party!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdg7kAhKdfU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-1K2mT5NCM&feature=fvsr

Hic!

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Wishing there was a "like" button for your responses, Coledavis & Sashadroogie.

Thanks again, all.

[coledavis]

One does one's best.

[Sashadroogie]

In the Motherland, our best is always better.

Hic!

[coledavis]

Yes, we meet our collective targets. 200%