Job Discussion Forums

[skann]

Hello, I'm from the US and have recently been looking into working in Costa Rica. I've been reading some of the messages on this board and there seems to be a lot of people here that are quite knowledgeable about the country. I have an advanced level of Spanish, so I'm not concerned about that aspect. I am wondering how easy it is to work there in general, whether as an English teacher or any other kind of job. (While I love languages, working as an English teacher there wouldn't be my first choice because there are many other fields I have a greater interest in.) Is getting sponsored by a company the only way to get a work visa, or would it be possible to obtain one through some legal or application process? What industries are hottest? I also heard that Costa Rican law allows a foreigner to work for a company there in any capacity if that person owns stock in the company. Does anyone know if this is true; could I just buy 100 shares of stock in any company there and then have the right to work for them without restriction? Even if it's a small little surf shop or something, run by an expat, which happens to be incorporated? Do you think the job market has become too saturated with native English speakers? Finally, does the pay in Costa Rica tend to be decent or is it pretty minimal in the lion's share of entry-level jobs?

Any information you can provide me in regards to this is greatly appreciated!

[jimmy44]

1. Pay is very low compared to where you are coming from.
2. Most, if not all jobs require TEFL to teach English.
3. Border runs are the most common to renew visas, because getting a work permit is difficult.
4. Native speakers are in demand, but if you are not a resident or have a work permit, good luck.
All it takes, is to travel here and look around. I have been here for 6 months. My job is sweet, I'm also a certified teacher from the states, TEFL certified and have a Master in Teaching. best of luck.

[will_i_m]

This is in response to jimmy44�s comment that: �Most, if not all jobs require TEFL to teach English.� First, I assume this refers to the TEFL certificate.

I am currently working in a uni in M�xico and am thinking of coming to Costa Rica this August. I have a BA and MA in English with one year of EFL teaching experience, but no TEFL certificate and am not certified in the states (although I have taught three years of college and high school). Would this lack of credentials severely curtail the amount of job opportunities I might find in Costa Rica? A lot of the other posts I have read seem to imply that a TEFL degree is a plus but not a requirement.

Could anyone clear this up for me? Also, if anyone is interested in working in a small university in the state of Oaxaca, M�xico, I could put you in touch with the right person or answer any questions you have.

Thank you!

[jimmy44]

I'm sure there are acceptions to getting a job if you are qualified. The truth is, your not going to get a straight answer unless its from the company itself. I don't want to come across as an expert on this subject because, after all, I'm only an employee. Your best bet is to send or contact the companies you are interested in.
Pura Vida
Jimmy

[doreenp]

No Problema!
Your qualifications and experience will get you in any door, Then you sell yourself.

I think i can safely say that no one is going to turn you away because of a lack of a certificate.

The need for native speakers here is growing and a good company will hire you based on YOU not a piece of paper.

As i said before, many great teachers are not certified and many certified are not great or even good.
good luck
D.