Job Discussion Forums

lennon146 · Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Latin America

No, that's not a misspelling! Does anyone know anything about this school in Mexico City which also goes under the name Idiomas Real? I seem to remember them from two years ago, but now they claim to offer $12,000 por mes for classes in Santa Fe.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Saw the ad myself the other day, and I remembered answering one of their ads some years ago. I don't remember why I didn't go through with it, but I've always been a bit suspicious about this company - just a feeling!

It says that 80% of the classes are in Santa Fe, which is a pain, with or without a car, and their website is a bit of a mess, nothing much more than a blog.

I really don't know - I suggest giving them a call and being direct - is the $12000 guaranteed or potential income? How many hours does that involve? If they are evasive, then I don't think it's worth pursuing.

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

Unless that $12,000 is take-home you'll pay about $2000 a month in taxes.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject:

bobbyb · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 19 Location: Guadalajara

I've been working there for 9 months and they have treated me really well. They helped me get my visa (which they paid half), receibos and a bank account. The owners are married and real sweet. They give small parties for the staff too. The pay is on time and the correct amount. This pay period I took home 5200 mn. for 27 hours. The drawback is the commute and I have to write a class report and then send it to the students via e-mail but I do get travel pay. But when I think about it I'm not sure it's worth the hassle of getting around in this city.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 9:48 pm Post subject:

bobbyb · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 19 Location: Guadalajara

It's for a 2 week period of 27 hours. 12-13 hours a week. It's about 200 per hour then extra for travel but I seem to just lose that to taxes. Still not bad.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:00 am Post subject:

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

I recall the recruiters well. I had just moved to Mexico City and had an interview with them the first week. It actually was the third day in DF. I contacted them by email, then phone and met with them at the starbucks in Santa Fe across from the Tech.

I was not impressed with them nor they with me, but they did want me on board. I hadn`t any fresh clothes as I had just come by bus from Chiapas, hadn`t even found a laundrymat and showed up in my best guayaberra. I recall his asking me over the phone what I would be wearing for the interview and I told him. There was a moment`s pause on the phone and he went on to other topics.

The interview lasted for about 10 minutes. He ended it abruptly and said there was no further reason to interview but that he was annoyed that I wore such casual attire. Guayaberras in the Yucatan area are small businessmen`s attire and there was no mention that he wanted me in anything else.

He insisted in not only ending the interview but that I wear a jacket and tie for the introduction to the client at the corporation whose classes he was placing me. Again, I insisted on more details about the job. Again, he insisted that the interview was over and that information would not be forthcoming until the day I met with the client.

I was annoyed to say the least. I told him I was not interested in the job. That was the end of it.

A year later, I accidentally called the same company again and again got him on the phone. He recognized my voice. He wanted to interview me again. When I ascertained who he was I told him I would not be interested.

And yes, he was dressed in tie and jacket at the interview.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:27 pm Post subject:

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

The fuss is that when one has an interview, the interview is a two-way exercise. The company decides whether they want you on board, you decide whether you want to climb up the steps. If they are unwilling to offer any information, it`s either on account of one of three possibilities.
1) they are pressed for time and can`t be bothered, in which event I make the decision that they don`t think the interview important enough to give me anything but the time of the day.
2) they know that there are problems with the company and by getting me on board immediately, I am locked into the job.
3) the company has no regard for employee wishes. It`s either take it or leave it...if you want the job so bad you must accept it without any reservations or questions.

I am surprised you should even ask MO39. I had absolutely no problem with the tie and jacket. I gave you that information as background material and to emphasize the fact he was willing to start with me without giving me any info at all about the company.

Like Michael Douglas said in PURPLE RAIN, I liked to be kissed before I get f-----.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:11 pm Post subject:

The fuss I referred to was about needing to wear a jacket and tie to an interview with a potential student, not all that other stuff you mentioned.

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

He claimed he did not wish to discuss the job with me as I was not properly attired for the interview with him, yet he wanted me to come to meet the corporate client (not a student but the HR person who was setting up the corporate class). As he was unwilling to give me any information about his company, the position, hours, etc. I was not interested in working with him. Does that make sense to you now?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:34 pm Post subject:

Of course, it does. That guy sounds like someone who would have made me react the way you did at the interview. Thank God I don't have to deal with people like that anymore, and I hope you won't have to deal with many more of them in the future!