Job Discussion Forums

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

Did you send a proper resume and cover letter? Were you available to work at the time they wanted the teacher to start? Or were you just sending general letters of interest?

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

Yes, I sent everything they asked for. I think the problem is that it is a UK website, geared to UK requirements and I am American.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

There are certain legalitilies you'll need to consider - such as the fact that Americans can't work legally in many EU member countries. Some of the 'new' EU members DO allow non-EU member citizens, but most of the 'old' EU doesn't.

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

Figures, well that really narrows a lot of my choices. EU has a monopoly and many countries in Asia also want that background. It seems like Korea and Japan are more open minded towards Americans.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

European Union is just some (maybe most, haven't counted) of the countries in Europe. Asia is a different game entirely.

Waverly, where are you interested in working?

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

Did you look into whether or not you could legally work in the countries you were applying for? Or did you just blindly send your resume?

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

Where do I get that information about legally working somewhere? I figured if I was offered a job, I would apply for a work visa or the place that wants to hire me would.

Forgive me, I am new to all this and I am trying to figure out how I go about things.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Not entirely true. For example, most schools in the 'older' EU member countries can't get work permits for North Americans, due to their national hiring laws. The exception would be international schools.

Some countries where you most likely cannot get a work permit include Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Netherlands, etc. Regardless of whether a school wants you or not. Some North Americans work under the table (illegally) in some countries, so it's not an impossibility that you could receive an offer from some school in Spain, for instance, which would not get you a legal working permit.

Some European countries where you CAN get legal working permits (though it's a hassle!) include Poland, the Czech Rep, Hungary, Slovakia, and other 'new' EU member states.

Again, where exactly did you think you wanted to go?

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

Thanks, I am open to anywhere really. Europe or the Middle East would be interesting. Asia is fine but the wage is much lower. I don't really have a urge to go to one particular area.

Takahiwai · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Libya

Europe might be interesting but the culture seems very similar to what we have here in the USA

The news that it is a monoculture will be a shock to the whole of Europe, and I wouldn't even like to address the second part of the sentence!

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

Oh please, you are twisting my idea totally wrong. I live in the most multicultural state in the nation. I was referring to everything as a whole. I have lived in Europe as a child. I know what to expect there. I do know the differences. I guess I should have stated that I have been there, know that. I want something new and different from what I am used to, that's all.

Takahiwai · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Libya

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Let her go to Asia. She can't work legally in most of Europe anyway.