Job Discussion Forums

dockjock · Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

I have experienced a few dodgy recruiters/"schools" recently. Has anyone had any dodgy and/or good experiences with jobs4teachers.org? They tell me that a school in France is interested in me and that I have a phone interview this week. However they want me to send some money to them beofre the telephone interview goes ahead? Also, I didn't even send them a CV - I just filled out a very short application on their website (which looks very professional and polished). Scam?

Another dodgy one I've come across is the Norman Internional Academy (NIA) in Marbella, Spain. They have no website or no records whatsoever when I did a google search. They offered me a job after I did a written interview. They said I didn't need to do a phone interview as I was suitably qualified and international phone lines can be bad! They asked me to send some money for accomodation and a signed contract. I didn't do this but I asked them to send me on FULL addresses of the alleged school and of the apartment I would be staying in. They sent some photos of the buildings and some photos of students but thay could easily be obtained from any website. They didn't give me a full address and they didn't even acknowledge the fact that I asked for a phone conversation. BE CAREFUL of these people!! Has anyone else had any dealings with any of the above recruiters?

Apologies for waffling on but I need to get my point accross and I need peace of mind!

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

1. If they want money, it's a scam.

2. If they say they can get a work visa for a non-EU citizen, it's a scam.

If you're not from the EU, they can't get a visa for you, and if you're from the EU, you don't need one.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject:

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

I know - I'm one of them. But the procedure is complex and challenging, and can't be undertaken by a second party.

In my case, the uni where I work had to make a case to the national government 'proving' that no EU candidate had the qualifications I do.

This was possible because I had worked at this uni in the past on a work permit from my spouse's international company, so I knew well the courses and the particular approach and method used here. Further, my MA study and dissertation focused on just this approach and method. So, in all honesty, no other candidate could 'beat' me.

I'm a rare case, but, yes, there are a few exceptions.

However, none of the schools that will do this are advertising for multiple employees - this just isn't feasible.

So I think it's fair to say that any advertiser focusing on newbie-level teachers, or multiple teachers is HIGHLY unlikely to be able to get work permits for non EU citizens.