Job Discussion Forums

[dsnopek]

Hello, everyone!

My wife and I are native speakers of English and we just completed our CELTA a little more than a week ago at International House Krak�w, where we got the grades Pass B and Pass (strong).

We've been looking for work since the Monday after we finished and its going OK. Here is our essential strategy:

(1) Get our CVs and cover letters to the school somehow. This can be via e-mail or dropping in. We've chosen schools that post ads and also just about every non-Callan school in Krak�w, since we're here right now anyway.
(2) Wait 2 days, if there is no response, call them.
(3) Repeat.

We've gotten 2 definite "no" responses, 2 offers for interviews (we did 1 today!) and several dozen schools that just ignore us. Which is why I'm sort of worried about step #2. This is how I normally look for a job in the US. But here, no matter how many times we call, the DoS is never quite available to talk and none of our messages to them are ever returned.

Is it appropriate in Poland to follow-up a CV sent to a school with a phone call?

On a related but different note, we've already encountered the schools that don't "employ" any teachers, the teachers have there own businesses and they invoice the school. There is lots of wonderful information on this forum about starting a business in Poland.. But, does that make the visa problem go away (for non-EU citizens)? Maybe we should start going through the process straight way (even though I understand it takes months)?

Thanks in advance or any advice!
David.

[TwinCentre]

Hi David

I would just turn up at the schools, with your CV's in hand. This seems to be the way things are done in Poland.

Also, been a long time since I worked for a school, but it might be the case that it is a bit too early, I think most schools start back mid to end September? Can someone else confirm this?

[maniak]

Hiring season starts right about now actually.

IMHO, you are being far too persistent for Poland. One email/CV in person + light followup (one sentence email) is more than enough. If its quiet, guess what, youre not wanted, probably because youre american?

Having a visa and opening a business have nothing to do with each other. And if you want to open a lot of doors, having your own company will really help.

[hrvatski]

Only go to schools and leave your CV in person, so few candidates make the effort. Use nice paper to make it obvious the CV was dropped in and that you are in Krakow, it will stand out in the pile of other CVs which have been printed out from email. The DoS will speak to you only if he or she considers you interesting after reviewing your stuff.

A school may be reluctant to employ a couple, since if something serious happens in your lives (family issues) then there are two teachers to replace, not one.

[dsnopek]

[dsnopek]

[justflyingin]

David,

Don't fret. It's nothing personal. The schools are JUST NOW starting to sign up students for the new year. The official elementary/jr. high/high school year starts today with classes. Today is when a lot of kids will bring home info about karate, music lessons, etc. Parents will look into when things fit into their schedules. Schedules will be a bit flexible for the average public school kid for a week or so. Then, the language schools will organize classes. They usually do start by the end of Sept. or first of October.

So, the truth is, the school probably just doesn't know if they need you yet.

Everyone is wondering how the economy will be affecting school enrollment.

[Master Shake]

You're on right track going to the schools in person. I dropped off a dozen CV's in Warsaw last week and was rewarded with several interviews for my efforts. I emailed many CVs to schools as well but only got a few bites.

But most of the these interviews ended with them saying something along the lines of "we will probably need you but don't know what we can offer until more students sign up." So it is probably a bit early to be calling back every two days.

I've noticed that schools offer to take care of the work permit/visa for me if they (tentatively) need a full-time teacher. Not so for schools which only need part-time work. So working full time for one school seems to be the way to go if I don't want to start my own business. My situation is similar to yours, David. I'm a US citizen with a CELTA so I have the same visa/work permit headache.

One tip: It's better to drop off CVs in the morning rather than late afternoon. Most schools are swamped with potential students and DoS's tend to be unavailable after 4pm. I got one on-the-spot interview by being an early bird.

Good luck.

[Khrystene]

[Khrystene]

Also, it's part for course that schools don't employ teachers on a full time (umowa o prace) basis. It's usually Umowa o Dzieło (contract or piece work) or, at best, Umowa Zlecenie (which includes health care paid).

I once had a company as I was 'forced' by the school to open one. It was a nightmare to run. As of the beginning of 2007, companies cannot force people to open a Działalność (Company) before hiring them; thank you Zita Gilowska.

So, what you can do is still have the Umowa o Dzieło and pay your own healthcare (if you just pay the health alone it's around 300zl per month) and you sometimes have to pay the taxes, but they sometimes do. You'd have to discuss it with them. Don't just accept the first contract they offer you, try to get a little better deal with conditions particularly.

K

[AndrewR]

[lundjstuart]

[norwalkesl]

[lundjstuart]