Job Discussion Forums

[MikeySaid]

I had an appointment, not really an interview at Colegio Ingles in Torreon about a month ago, and they wanted to know why I wanted to teach in Torreon and why I've spent time there.

As an American, I always feel like family ties and relationships are sort of ... none of your business, if you're my employer. But I've looked at applications and they ask for your marital status on applications... which I am pretty sure is absolutely illegal here.

Anyway... would it behoove me to tell a prospective employer in Torreon that one of the reasons i want to work there is because I am engaged to a Lagunera? Or would it be a reason for them *NOT* to hire me?

Note, I've contacted countless schools in the area and it seems like nobody wants to return my phone calls/emails... what do I do? I want to be there by August/September as there's now a wedding to plan and a family to get to know a little better.

Any help is appreciated.

-Mike

[MELEE]

Mikey,
Just go. Take the plundge without the job lined up, apply in person to the schools and I'm sure you will get a job. Things will happen face to face more than over the phone or by email. You might have to start with two part-time jobs to get enough hours, but if you are committed to staying in Torreon, a better job will open up for you after 6 months or so.

An yes, go ahead and disclose to potential employers that your heart lies in Torreon, it won't hurt and can only help.

[MikeySaid]

Sidenote: I do have student loans... but I'm trying to get enrolled in a MATESOL program online... which will do two things for me... I think...

1. Make me more qualified (right now I've just got a BA in World Languages and Cultures)

2. Means my student loan payment can get put on the back burner.

[El Gallo]

hey Mikey,
sorry but the same equal opportunity laws don't apply here in Mexico. Employers can ask almost anything - age, marital status, sexual preference, religion, where you live, etc. Although there may be Federal human rights laws, the states look the other way in favor of employers when it comes to enforcement.

[mapache]

After I went to a birthday party at a bar for one of my friends, a friend of his who is gay showed up. Unfortunately, the comedian picked up on it and made gay jokes about our table. The secretarty of the school owner was there and "reported" me. The owner said a concerned parent made an inquiry but I later found out that was another one of her lies. Anyway, I refused to answer her questions about my life and my friends. Oh how I wish I could have had her in the same position in the US. I could retire with the law suit judgment. But is is true that, here in Mexico, these rights either don't exist or are unenforceable. Owners think they can ask employees anything probably because the Mexican teachers allow it.

[El Gallo]

yeah Mikey, go for it. Use your new family to help you with contacts there. Go to the schools in person with a resume in Spanish in hand (get some advice on the Mexican resume format). Phone calls, like emails usually are not returned here, at least not in any hurry.

GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATULATIONS!

[MikeySaid]

How about placement agencies? (My work schedule, plus the fact that travelling to Torreon costs money makes just going down there a little bit difficult)

Any good companies that can help me get a j.o.b.?

[Phil_K]

To my mind, marriage (or impending marriage), especially by a foreigner and especially to a Mexican, implies stability and commitment and should be seen as a plus.

On the bog-standard application form available in papeler�as, there is a section about your spouses job...and if I remember well, income! I draw the line at that...

Thankfully, I am now a partner in a new school and I am the one doing the employing. To me, it matters more what you can do for us than the minutae of your life. To quote Henry Ford:

"I don't care if a man comes from Harvard or Sing Sing; it is the man I'm interested in, not his history".

[PlayadelSoul]

[Samantha]

mapache wrote:

[MikeySaid]

[Samantha]

Cute, good-looking, whatever. Guapo is translated as "handsome" in my parts. So guapa is "attractive" or nice looking. Did you at least get the point of my post? I don't require Spanish lessons if that's where you were going.

Edited by me: You are right, I wasn't addressing your post in the first place but the other one that claimed that discrimination in Mexico is lawsuit material in the good old USA. Your post had already been answered more than adequately and I agree with the advice you were given. Good luck.

[MikeySaid]

[mapache]

[mapache]