Job Discussion Forums

[bridgetc]

Hi all,

I'm a British ESOL teacher currently working in an FE college in the UK. Prior to this job I've worked in Poland and Germany as an EFL teacher - both places I love, but the wanderlust is bidding me to try a bit further afield this time. That's why Mexico occurred to me (well, there are other reasons too, but I'll save them for later).

I have a CELTA which I obtained in 2006 and I just completed the essential add-on to teach in the UK which is the Cambridge-accredited DTE(E)LLS aka Diploma in Teaching English (ESOL) in the Lifelong Learning Sector. However, I do not have a Bachelors degree. Is this likely to stop me getting a job in Mexico? Is this likely to stop me getting any decent kind of job in Mexico? Since I'm now fully qualified in my home country I thought this would eliminate some of the problems associated with working without a degree, however I know some visas can't be issued without a Bachelors and some schools won't look at people without a degree.

Next thing: when to go? Having finished my training and being on a series of short-term contracts, officially I could go whenever the heck I want. I feel I probably should stay with my students at the college until the end of the year unless some wonder job came up, which would mean finishing at the beginning of July. I was wondering if the end of July/beginning of August is as good a time to head to Mexico as it is to other teaching job markets around the world. I know there are adverts floating about now for January starts but I'd never have my affairs in order by then and I'd be leaving my boss in the lurch which I definitely don't want to do.

Where to go? The big one. I've read a lot (mostly on this forum) about the various areas and cities and, to be honest, I think Mexico City appeals to me most. I have a lot of Mexican American friends in California who have given me warnings of varying severity about being a young woman alone in DF but I know how these stories are exaggerated (though of course how they're also usually based in some truth). Anyone who has lived and worked (or lives and works) in the city who could give me some unbiased truths about it would be a superstar. Aside from some warnings about DF (and the strict instruction to avoid Chihuahua) they rave about Mexico and think it's the best thing ever that I want to go and teach there. So far, so good. However are there any other areas I should be considering as far as a busy, city lifestyle, similar job opportunities etc are concerned? Any comments or advice much appreciated!

Money, visas, housing etc - how much money (as a minumum) would people recommend having behind you before making such a move? I know everyone's lifestyle is different but any personal experiences or estimates very welcome! As for the visa, I mentioned before the potential "degree problem", other than that is it pretty easy to get a visa? I'd love to know about the process. Do I need a school before I go in order to get the papers completed through them? What if I just wanted to pound the pavement on arrival? Incidentally, which of those usually proves most successful?

As for housing, what do people usually do on arrival there? Stay in a cheap hotel until the job situation is sorted? Is it easy to find flatmates or a houseshare? Any input on this also appreciated!

I'm sure I have a million more questions, but I don't want to push my luck! If anyone can answer any or all of these questions (which I'm sure you already have a million and one times) then I'd be really grateful. Am going now to continue my trawl through the forum - hopefully I'll be able to answer some of these myself, though replies are most, most welcome.

Thanks all - and a belated Happy Christmas/holidays!

[geaaronson]

Mexico City certainly has the most job opportunities. However, by the time you get here the best positions at the prepas will be taken.
Most prepas start interviewing early spring and some have interviewed as early as January for the following August. The positions that will be available in July and August will not be at the best prepas but you will still likely be offered a position.
In my estimation, a person with a CELTA but no primary university degree will beat out a person without a CELTA buit with those four years of college under his belt, but I could be mistaken. Having a CELTA makes you a very attractive candidate.
For your other questions, spend a few hours reading through the message threads. Yes, you can find roomies easily. You might want to check out craigslist and www.segundamano.com.mx for starters.

[bridgetc]

Thanks for the reply! Would it be advisable, then, to head out earlier in the Spring? However then I suppose I'd be there in the summer without a job until the Autumn (oh well - I could always... travel!).

What's the scope for getting jobs online? Are there any magical jobsearch websites I don't know about?

[geaaronson]

There are several jobsites listed on this website. The one I have used successfully is www.computrabajo.com.mx.

[bridgetc]

Thanks for that, I'm going to check it out (and the other job ads on the sticky) now. It does seem from all the reading I've done on here - and it's been a few hours now - that employers generally want to see the whites of your eyes before they're going to hire you and that most jobs simply aren't advertised. It's a scary notion to go over there with no job in place but maybe it's time to shake things up a bit anyway!

I have (another) question though - they're endless - about visas. Coming from the UK without a job in hand, is the 'done thing' to arrive on a tourist visa and change it while there? Is that easily done or a complete nightmare? Also, do people generally fly through the United States and then onto Mexico or direct? I have friends in California I'd love to see on my way out there but if people have nightmares at the US-Mexican border (or, rather, when flying out of the US into Mexico) then maybe it's not worth that extra step with immigration etc.

Thanks again to anyone who can shed any light, I realise I am a hopeless newb with questions that have been asked a million times before. Visas are scary!

[Tretyakovskii]

As you fly in, the airlines provide you a form you fill out on the plane and present at passport control, the "FMT", on which you can be admitted for up to 180 days (you should ask for 180 days), without having arranged a visa beforehand (I'm speaking of my experience).

If you find a job, then the employer can ask immigration to give you an FM3, with permission to work, good for one year from the time it's approved.

There is no reason I know of why a citizen of the UK cannot fly into Mexico from the U.S. as easily as from the U.K. Perhaps others will have something to add to this, by way of clarification, if there is some peculiarities attached to your being from the U.K. (besides the funny accent!).

[notamiss]

Maybe someone with direct experience can correct me, but I think any potential difficulty you might experience in traveling via the US would be related to entering the US itself*, not to the fact that you would be entering Mexico from the US.

*http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp3.html

[bridgetc]

Thanks for that link. I travel to the US fairly regularly (boyfriend in CA and friends in various locales) and haven't had any problems so far - touch wood, of course. I was worried if I went to the US and then tried to get into Mexico without a return ticket it might look suspicious to the US authorities but then I suppose it has actually become Mexico's "problem" if a problem exists at that point.

I really appreciate the input even if you're not 100%, this place is a goldmine of information!