Job Discussion Forums

[MattyO]

greetings. I'm a 30 year old American with a little TEFL experience (1.5 yrs in Tokyo) planning to go to Spain. I have an Irish passport, but no certification. I think I'll be able to land some work with a a little luck and a lot of persistance.

I'm thinking of going sometime between mid-April and early May. I know this is not the ideal time to find work, approaching the summer down months, but this is when I've decided to go. I'll go to Madrid first and hopefully like it there. I may venture out to other cities later, but figure Madrid as a good starting point for someone who knows so little Spanish.

I'm hoping to make some contacts on this board, but there doesn't seem to be a ton of activity here. If your out there and friendly, please reply.
some questions:

is Madrid a bike friendly city? I love exploring new places by bike and am planning on bringing one with me.

as far as my first week or so, is my best bet to stay in a hostel while I look for an apartment? Can anyone here reccommend a decent one in a good location?
-any chance any of you have a spare room/couch you'd consider renting on a nightly/weekly basis to help a new guy get his feet wet?

I haver a resume with tons of restaurant experience on it but little English teaching on it. Do I need to embellish my resume? Also, is there a standard CV format that employers are looking for and does it differ much from resumes we use in the states?

Regarding job interviews, is it necessary to arrive in a suit and tie? I'd prefer to not even bring one if I dont need it.

thanks in advance to those of you who reply/PM me

Matt

[Moore]

Don�t bother bringing your bike: the only day it�s even half safe to use one here is on Sundays only- this is a bike hostile city if anything.

Stay in a hostel, it�s only 15 euros a night in a shared dorm (meet people too), look in the Lonely Planet

No point in not being truthful on your cv, one and a half years TEFL experience is fine (although if you have no university degree then consider saying you have a TEFL), keep the restaurant stuff brief.

People often put photos on their cvs here, so try that if you think your picture might help you.

A shirt, tie, trousers and shoes are all you need for most schools.

Good luck: you�ll be fine here (though you may be in for a bit of a shock when you see the wages and wierd hours they have here after being in Japan!)

[MattyO]

thanks for the reply, Moore. Are you in Spain now? I know I"m not gonna get rich there, but if can support myself, learn the language and have a good time, thats what I'm looking for.

Don't bother bringing my bike?! bike hostile city?? that's not cool. Well, I'm definitely bringing it. if what you say is true, I guess I'd better bring a helmet, too. Aren't there bike messengers in Madrid?

people put what - passport size photos on their CVs? so if you're a cutie, you're in and if you're a dog-faced herman, you're out? good system. I like it.

hostel. anybody know any good ones? centrally located, clean, safe, etc.?

[foss]

Never seen a bike messenger here. Cycling is popular as a weekend hobby in places an hour's drive away but it really is out of the question in the city as a form of transport. Things are looking up, they've got a decent lane network down in the east of the city and a ring around the city will be completed some day.

I've heard of people happily living for a whole year in a hostel rather than rent out a flat - a touch more expensive but a lot less hassle especially if you want to be flexible about dates.

CV photos: it's the norm here and in a pile of CVs those without photos look somehow incomplete. Anyway, everyone looks beautiful now in the age of digital photography and Photoshop.

[ejy110]

I really haven�t seen any bikes here either. Best way to get around is the metro, in my opinion. It�s fairly consistent, unlike the one in Philly. Apartments can be expensive, but if you look around enough, you can find one for around 300 euros. Less than that could me a shady area. Stay in a hostel until you check out some of the areas maybe. I found my apartment on www.segundamano.es and am happy with it.

As for the photo issue, I thought it was a little strange too. However, it�s necessary here. The premise behind it is to help the interviewer remember your face (or so I�ve been told). As for how work will be closer to the summer, I haven�t been here that long so I don�t know. I don�t have certification and was able to find work, so you�ll probably be OK in Madrid. Outside of Madrid may be a different story. Hope this helps.

[Rosemary Walder]

Madrid is a great place for affordable living standards on a teacher�s salary. The metro and bus system is good, reliable and affordable, especially if you�re used to the tube and British Rail back in London! Bikes, I don�t know maybe because transport in Madrid is good, you don�t see a lot of people riding their bikes around, not sure on this really. The flats, around 320-350 euros a month will get you a shared flat, maybe 3 in a flat, with your tiny rooms all to yourselves! Many do the TEFL training , get their cert, stay one year, a year and a half teaching English, head back home or some stay for good. One thing for sure Madrid is one of the most exciting cities in Europe, modern but still with that old European or should I say Castillian touch, enjoy it.

[F Johnson]

I agree with you on that count, Madrid has an excellent metro system. The buses are not bad as well but I prefer the metro. Great way to get you from one company to the other. One thing though for those considering teaching EFL, it�s not a 9-5 job, so be prepared to travel, at least around the city, so choosing a city with a good train service and transportation system in general is very important. I�m glad I chose Madrid because after travelling a bit around the continent, many European cities�metro can be expensive and not too dependable. Good luck to all those wanting to teach EFL, good fun and a lot of experince along the way.

[shannon w]

I�ve been in and out of Madrid, back home, back again to Spain, Madrid, BCN and all I can say is I understand why many just want to stay on. The people are nice, the weather is great , especially the Spring and Fall months, summer is hot and life is still affordable unlike other EU cities, whoa! Paris, London, sooo expensive. The transportation system is good, affordable and if you don�t spend or shop till you drop, you can live on a teacher�s pay. There are teaching hours even in July and August because many Spanish families don�t take the whole month of Aug, unlike in the past. There are more summer camps now , because most mothers are working and these camps are invaluable to them and the little one learns English as well as having fun! There are also more companies doing intensive courses in the summer and some employees prefer to do their intensive seminars in the hot summer months because there�s lesser traffic, less people on the streets, quieter Madrid! Madrid is a noisy and alive city after all.

shannon