Job Discussion Forums

[d-d-d-dom]

Just wondering what the chances are of finding work in Barcelona in early January. I've got a CELTA and over two years experience.

Also, If say I get a job lined up before I go, how much money would I need to take with me?

[Moore]

In Spain it's really quite difficult to get a job lined up before you arrive: schools need to have teachers who are definitely there, on the ground, ready to start working asap before they risk assigning a teacher to any given course - they are working in an environment of ruthless competition and can't afford to lose a contract because a teacher decided to go to another country/city (obviously this applies to business teaching).

There has been a lot of debate here on another thread about exactly how much money to take with you: Bejarano prudently recommends 10,000 euros, I'd probably say you could get away with about half that, but there is a lot to be said for prudence (if you have that option that is!) Of course having or not having papers does affect your chances to some extent, but is not a deal breaker.

If you don't have any joy in Barcelona then you can always head over to Madrid where you will be fine for work, though apparently there's an increasing shortage of teachers in Barcelona.

[jonniboy]

Forget about "having a job lined up before you go." Ain't gonna happen. I was considering moving to Barsa this year, contacted lots of academies with a view to arriving there early September (I have EU passports, four years experience, speak Spanish and have a pre-intermediate level of Catalan) and while I got positive feedback, the best they offered me was an interview. It's understandable since there are plenty of teachers on the ground and like me, some do decide in the end not to go or to postpone it.

If you can't go in September/October then late December is probably the best time to arrive as some teachers will not return after Christmas break but it's still a case of luck compared to the Autumn window. As Moore says, having EU citizenship is a big plus.

[SirKirby]

I agree with what has been said so far...

It's not a bad time to be looking for work (though September is best) -- but would emphasise that you want to be here around December 12, to give yourself a week or so to contact schools before they break up for Christmas (and are mostly going to be closed until Jan 7).

A Director of Studies is not going to wait until then to look, if he/she needs a new teacher.

You can get lucky at any time -- and find work at any time of the year in Barcelona, of course.

To reduce the luck factor, have a good CV and cover letter, and interview well.