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Job Discussion Forums
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| Is there a slowdown in ESL jobs? |
| Yes, there has been a big decrease in jobs. |
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18% |
[ 2 ] |
| Yes, there has been some decrease in jobs. |
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27% |
[ 3 ] |
| About the same |
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9% |
[ 1 ] |
| No, there has been some increase in jobs. |
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9% |
[ 1 ] |
| No, there has been a big increase in jobs. |
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18% |
[ 2 ] |
| I'm just worried about keeping my job, not looking for another one! |
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9% |
[ 1 ] |
| What slowdown? I'm raking the pesos in! |
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9% |
[ 1 ] |
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| Total Votes : 11 |
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| Author |
Message |
El Gallo
Joined: 05 Feb 2007
Posts: 318
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 Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:50 am Post subject: |
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[quote="MO39"]
| jfurgers wrote: |
| spiral78 wrote: |
| Holiday time. Same in Europe. Picks up in September. |
Perhaps that's why I NEVER hear from any of the language schools I apply to. I sent 24 emails with a cover letter and resume attached last Friday and nothing.
I call the ads I see in the papers and they tell me to send them my resume and they'll get back with me. Nothing. I went to Wall Street Institute about a month ago and talked with them. Left my resume and even called them back. Again, nothing.
I see now that from my brief experience in the D.F. that it seems like you can't really believe anything the Mexicans here tell you. Take it with a grain of salt.
This is why I'm going to get the independent visa. Work for myself in my part of the city. Besides, the language centers don't want to pay anything. |
Mexico is not a answer email / "get back to you" culture. You have to go in person when they need someone. Sending emails and resumes and expecting a reply in Mexico is setting yourself up for disappointment and resentment.
Good luck with your independent visa. With some smart marketing, you can do better than most language centers pay. Just don't expect your prospects to "get back to you" instead, immediately make and appointment and go meet with them in person to close the deal. Don't get mad Iif they don't show, you don't want them as students anyway.
(Part of adjusting to Mexico is writing off unreliable and chronically late people - many but not all Mexicans are like this)
Here's some advertising ideas. First, some papers offer free classifieds if you clip a coupon from their paper. These expire in a week but if you renew them for about three weeks, the typesetters will get tired of processing your coupons and leave your ad in almost indefinitely. Make up some flyers with your phone number (email addresses almost never work). Go door to door in professional buildings like doctor offices or medical schools. Place flyers door to door in the rich neighborhoods (pay a muchacho 70 pesos to help you a couple of hours). You will only get about a 2% return so work hard on this. One new student could mean three more referrals later.
Use referrals. Once you get a student, ask her/him if she/he knows anyone else who might want lessons. This works especially well with professionals who suggest (and sometimes even pay for) their children, nieces and nephews or the children of their workers. It takes a while so don't get discouraged. Your marketing differential is being a native speaker and coming to the students instead of them traipsing off to a smelly classroom with 20 others. If you must, teach at a language center part time until you build your business.
I've been on my own for three years now and really enjoy the freedom from greedy, crazy or corrupt language center owners. My referrals have reached the point where I now teach 43 hours per week and have a waiting list. (I know, I'm crazy but I love teaching)
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geaaronson
Joined: 19 Apr 2005
Posts: 948
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject: what to do |
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You have to call the schools after you send them your resume. This is an employment culture unlike that of the US and Canada in which the employee sends his resume, the recruiter or employer selects the 6 strongest candidates and calls or emails them for interviews and then chooses one person for the position.
You have to call and make an appointment for an interview. They want you to seize the initiative. It`s another example of Mexicos dysfunctional workplace. |
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MO39
Joined: 28 Jan 2004
Posts: 1970
Location: El ombligo de la Rep�blica Mexicana
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: what to do |
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| geaaronson wrote: |
You have to call the schools after you send them your resume. This is an employment culture unlike that of the US and Canada in which the employee sends his resume, the recruiter or employer selects the 6 strongest candidates and calls or emails them for interviews and then chooses one person for the position.
You have to call and make an appointment for an interview. They want you to seize the initiative. It`s another example of Mexicos dysfunctional workplace. |
I think that in the US and Canada it's also a good idea to call after sending your resume to a school for a job. Unless you're absolutely the most superb candidate they've ever seen on paper, that is. It that case, you can just sit back and wait for the calls to roll in! |
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