Job Discussion Forums

rlp5321 · Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 15 Location: Hamburg, Germany

Hello All,

From what I've read, many employers in Western European countries prefer to hire people who are already in the country. As a US citizen does it make sense to just 'show up' and look for a job?

My background - 30, in San Francisco, corporate experience for 7 1/2 years, doing a TESOL program part time in September and interested in teaching business English. Some training experience through my corporate background and 3 yrs as a teaching assistant in undergrad and grad school. BS in Business, MA in Health.

I can receive for a Danish green card to live/work legally, but I am also expanding my search to the Czech Rep, Finland, Germany, Sweden. From prior experience, I know that long distance job searches are esentially a waste of time. I am thinking of doing a visit to Denmark in November and I'll try to schedule interviews for that time, but I am sorely tempted to show up in a few of these countries and see what turns up.

Thoughts?

RLP

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

spiral78 could probably tell you a lot about working in Europe. Here-s the thing, it-s very hard for us americans to get a job there. If you can get a Danish res card, then that would help, concentrate your job serach there. also try posting on the Europe forum as well.

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

rom what I've read, many employers in Western European countries prefer to hire people who are already in the country. As a US citizen does it make sense to just 'show up' and look for a job?

You're right that most European employers do not hire from abroad. However, as a US citizen, there are some constraints on your just 'showing up' to look for a job.

I'll write now from the perspective of you with just a US passport - actually getting Danish CITIZENSHIP would change things.

First, you have just 90 days inside the Schengen zone as non EU citizen. Google the zone to see countries included. I am not certain that the scandinavian countries you mention are in the group. Germany and the Czech Rep are. After 90 days, you must EXIT for 90 days - a simple border run for a stamp no longer suffices, though it did until January of this year.
This means that if you are targeting a job inside the zone, you need to show up, get a job contract, and apply for visas within the first 90 days. The main hiring periods are September and January - contracts typically being Sept - June, with some openings typically coming up in January.

My background - 30, in San Francisco, corporate experience for 7 1/2 years, doing a TESOL program part time in September and interested in teaching business English. Some training experience through my corporate background and 3 yrs as a teaching assistant in undergrad and grad school. BS in Business, MA in Health.

To compete in this job market, you will need to be sure that the TESOL program you take includes at least 100 hours on site and has actual teaching practice with real students (not peer trainees) with feedback from experienced teacher trainers. CELTA is the name brand, but there are some generic courses that meet the standard. A course that doesn't include the key teaching practice is below the norm for Europe and will put you at a disadvantage on the job market.

Your degrees are useful, but with an unrelated MA, you won't be eligible for most international school posts or university jobs, limiting you basically to private language school work. However, this is where the vast majority of jobs are to be found in any case.

I can receive for a Danish green card to live/work legally, but I am also expanding my search to the Czech Rep, Finland, Germany, Sweden. From prior experience, I know that long distance job searches are esentially a waste of time. I am thinking of doing a visit to Denmark in November and I'll try to schedule interviews for that time, but I am sorely tempted to show up in a few of these countries and see what turns up.

I am not entirely sure what benefits a Danish green card would give you outside of Denmark. I have a Czech green card and it does NOT give me working privileges in any other European country - only CITIZENSHIP does that, I believe. You will want to check at an Embassy on this point.

The general rule is that most of 'Western' European countries do not issue work/living visas to non-EU citizens wishing to work as English teachers, effectively limiting legal work to UK citizens.

The 'newer' EU members, such as the Czech Rep, do still issue work visas to non-EU teachers, though it's a hassle for both teacher and employer.

I haven't a clue about the legalities in Sweden - like Denmark, the market for English teaching is T.I.N.Y. in these regions, and it's pretty rare to find a non-native teacher there. You'll want to communicate with another regular, hollysuel, about Finland - she's been there for some time. Try posting on the General Europe forum.

Do also google Schengen and plan your visit to Denmark and continental Europe with the 90 day limit in mind.

rlp5321 · Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 15 Location: Hamburg, Germany

Thanks Spiral!

"The main hiring periods are September and January - contracts typically being Sept - June, with some openings typically coming up in January."

I want to ask an additional follow up question about this. I am going to Denmark in late November to look for January opportunities. I was planning to go over Thanksgiving week. Of course I'll do some contacting and resume send out before hand (I am hoping to have interviews scheduled in late November) is late November too late to catch the January hiring season?

Please also keep in mind that I need 30 days notice to shut everything down here (quit job, give notice on apt) before moving to Denmark.

"To compete in this job market, you will need to be sure that the TESOL program you take includes at least 100 hours on site and has actual teaching practice with real students (not peer trainees) with feedback from experienced teacher trainers."

Thanks for the info - the program I am taking in San Francisco is 140 hours and offers teaching practice with ESL students and experienced teacher trainer feedback.

"Your degrees are useful, but with an unrelated MA, you won't be eligible for most international school posts or university jobs, limiting you basically to private language school work. However, this is where the vast majority of jobs are to be found in any case."

Good, the private market is what I am targeting. I don't have much interest in international school posts or university jobs.

"I am not entirely sure what benefits a Danish green card would give you outside of Denmark."

You're correct, a Danish work permit will allow me to work in Denmark. But that does not mean that I can't at least try in some other countries just in case even with the work permit I can't find anything in Denmark.

"You'll want to communicate with another regular, hollysuel, about Finland - she's been there for some time. Try posting on the General Europe forum."

Thanks! I'll do this.

Many thanks for the advice!

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741