Job Discussion Forums

[caharrison]

Hi all,
I posted my resume on the forum here at ESL cafe, and I got a job offer I want some opinions on. A private party from Japan is living in the UK and wants me (a US citizen) to relocate to be a private tutor for his children. He has sent me the contract, and has given me the email of his attorney, who is a private/contracted employee of the UK Border Agency Home Office (but has a yahoo email address). They have sent me a contract, and would like me to sign it and send it to them to begin to visa process. I will include the contract in this post to be read over. My questions are: 1) will it be possible for me, a US citizen, to get a working visa to the UK to teach English? And 2) does this sound like a legitimate job offer? Neither the employer nor the attorney has asked me for any money, and the employer has sent me photos of himself and his family and 3) how does the contract look in general? This will be my first time teaching ESL in a foreign country under contract, so I don't know entirely how these things should go.

Contract:
JOB OFFER
With reference to your application for employment in pursuant to the service contract, we
Hereby notify you that your qualification was found suitable for the requirements of
XXXXXXX Family after evaluation of details as contained in your CV.
Hereinafter, you shall be required to serve as Professional English as a Second
Language Teacher for the family of XXXXXXX
Fulfillments and requirements of XXXXXXXX Family for a contract period of 12
months. There are possibilities of extension however that is after a performance review of
your previous performance with the XXXXXXXX Family.
Should you accept this job offer, you'll be eligible to receive the following beginning on
May 24, 2010, which is your hire date.
Salary: Monthly gross starting salary of �3,000 GBP (Three Thousand Great British
Pounds) paid by your choice of check or direct deposit into a local or foreign account you
would designate.
--- GBP �300 for Health Insurance
--- Free accommodations, private room, and sitting room and sit out. Internet ready
computer and vehicle for mobility.
--- 2 weeks paid vacation twice a year.
ALLOWANCES/ ENTITLEMENTS
---Hazard/Inconveniences: �40.00 (Monthly)
---Car Maintenance: �89.00 (Monthly)
---House & Furnishings: �80.00 (Yearly)
---Entertainment & Recreation: �75.00 (Monthly)
---Travel & Events: �50.00 (Monthly)
PAID LEAVE PERIOD
Employee is entitled to 1 month paid leave which can be taken once at a time or 2 weeks
apart on different periods.
Employee will receive �150.00 Take home for each leave Period.
WORKING HOURS/ DAYS OFF/ PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
Working hours - 6 hours (including meal time)
Working time - 10:00 Hours � 16:00 Hours
Working days - Monday � Friday.
DURATION OF CONTRACT
This contract is concluded for the duration of 6 months from the actual beginning
of service. If neither party has expressed any explicit desire to terminate the
contract, the contract is in this case prolongated for the next 6 months. There can
be more than one prolongation.
TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT
This contract can be terminated at the end of any 6-month contractual period. The
party desiring to terminate the contract must issue a written notice not less than 30
days before the end of contractual period.
This contract can also be terminated at any time by the written notice of either
party. Such notice must be issued 30 days in advance of the actual termination
day. In case of such premature termination the terminating party owes to the other
party 1/4 of monthly contractual wages (750 GBP).
UK WORK PERMIT/ENTRY VISA
Please Proceed to Contact Agent XXXXXXX of the UK Border Agency. Home
Office, UK Border Agency, XXXXXXXX, United Kingdom.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals as
Of the day and year first written.
Signed in the Presence of:


Thanks in advance for all of your feedback.

[caharrison]

So I was reading through some other posts and found somebody that had the exact same offer, though with different names from a "Chinese" doctor. Watch out for letters in this format:

Dear applicant,

I Saw Your Resume On Eslcafe.
I am Dr. Haru Botan a native of Yamato Japan. I worked with International Catholic Hospital Tokyo Japan. before I relocated to Kent,England few months ago and right now, I am in search of a professional International English Language teacher who can take my Wife, ai and my 2 kids, ami and akira in English classes.
My wife and Kids are my treasure so I offer to pay you 3,000.00GBP if you will take up this position. I will provide you an Accommodation, furnished with a Television Set, and Internet Ready computer. A vehicle will be available also for Mobility if you can Drive.

I need your updated resume for me to discuss more about you with my family and also talk to your references. Applicant Must be willing to relocate.
Hoping to hear from you soonest, Cheers and God's blessings

Regards,
Dr. Haru Botan
# 1245 Chestnut Street, Borden, Kent
England. ME9 8DA

[santi84]

[spiral78]

As santi has pointed out, the entire premise is illogical. Aside from the obvious fact that the UK is simply filled with qualified English teachers, a foreigner living in the UK would logically want a UK teacher, not an American or Canadian - the accent and regional linguistic context would be very important in such a case.

[Kiels]

Plus there's no way with the UK in its current economic climate, anyone could afford to pay you �3000 a month!

[billwynne]

Got the same offer, and a contract, from Dr. Haru Botan. Almost fell for it.