Job Discussion Forums

valentine · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

can anyone help? i really want to move to spain to work later in the year - madrid especially, like most people in the world seem to want to! by that time i'll have been working in indonesia for 2 years. i have a degree and tefl certificate but i can't seem to find anywhere where i can apply for job without actually being physically present to hand in a cv. i've tried tefl.com but there's not much there. also, i 'm hoping to do a diploma in the not too distant future so would like to be near a place where i can do that.
i've spent a bit of time in madrid before so i know it a little bit but i was wondering how a much of a gamble it would be to turn up, semi-skint, and look for work in late september. ideally, i'd like to apply etc... via internet, but this seems difficult.
if anyone can help or suggest places where i can start to apply for jobs or contact DoS's i'd be more than grateful.

Meg4 · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 31 Location: Madrid

valentine · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

ok - thanks a lot, i'll probably do that then and chance it. in general, i'd assume that standards are quite high in a popular place like madrid, is that correct?
whats the best way to go about it? get there - wander around with cv's and charm and hope for the best? what about the rest of spain - a similar system?
sorry for all these questions - i'm trying to secure some kind of a future for myself and i really, really love madrid!

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Standards are really not very high here- the cr*ppy conditions/contracts you mostly get here ensure that there�s an insanely high turnover of teachers: just going along and being enthusiastic and having a pulse are usually enough.

preston · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 107

There are way too many teachers for the few jobs available- don't get your hopes up too much

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Too many teachers for too few jobs? Not in Madrid, especially if you get here in September. Too little money and too few hours (business students can only learn before/after work and at lunchtimes, not during working hours). There is plenty of work here, the trouble is that it�s really low quality in terms of pay and conditions.

Jyulee · Joined: 01 May 2005 Posts: 81

Hi

(My first post! How exciting!)

I was in the minority when I got a job in Madrid arranged in the UK before I arrived last year. The Director admitted that he didn�t usually hire people without meeting them first, but I suppose he was impressed with my impeccable credentials Wink

. As I hear it, practically no-one does it that way.

Lots of academic years start in/around September, it�s a good time to arrive to find work - but finding accomodation could be another matter...

Tabish · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Location: New York

From what I can see, employment is a tough process. I have no experience, just credentials. I cannot afford to come skint to Spain and then look for work. The school where I got certified told us in the seminar that Spain was easy to find jobs in. After reading messages in this forum, I am beginning to wonder. Is this is a futil pursuit on my part? Very Happy

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

It�s easy to find a job, living off it�s the hard part: there is loads of work here, especially if you get here for September. You need to be getting 15 euros an hour, if not it�s hard to survive.

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Moore is quite correct about the amount of work available in Madrid. Demand is high, as is staff turnover. The tricky part is finding decent accommodation that won't eat up your income.

CairoMig · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 35

There are lots of teachers with no teaching qualifications, lots of teachers with a certificate, perhaps not so many with diplomas. Since this is Europe and diplomas mean something, I've never had a problem walking into jobs.

It's true that it seems almost everyone is a teacher in Madrid, but if you're well qualified and can talk your way through what are fairly painless interviews, you should line up something fairly easily. I'm returning to Madrid and got offered a job after a quick interview on the phone - full time job teaching in a school 1 year contract 130,000 euros a month so I couldn't really complain.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

maybe that�s in Pesetas...?

CairoMig · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 35

Yes with pesetas and euros I always get my 000 and commas mixed up. I meant 1,300 euros

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

oh well, i'll stop packing my suitcase then.