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Roy Briggs
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 18
Location: Tuxtla Gutierrez
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 Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:32 am Post subject: Why Pay a Recruiter? |
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The best way to find a teaching job is to show up in person at a school. If you have credentials and/or experience, you are your best salesperson.
Recruiters are like realtors and lawyers. They do not look out for your best interests at all. |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:34 am Post subject: |
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Roy, one of your recent posts sounded as if you have found some bad jobs. I hope things are better for you now, but I assume you found these positions on your own given your comments in the above post. What you would advise people to watch out for after the two experiences you related below. It is one thing to sell yourself into a position, but how does one know what is lurking behind the scenes? I would think if you had an agency put you into these jobs that they would be somehow obligated to fix things for you under the circumstances described.
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Hi, can anyone give me advice on working for Mexican employeers? So far, my experience has not been good (although I love teaching in Mexico and my current supervisor is a gringo who is great to work for). My experiences have included a Mexican "directora" who screams at her teachers in front of the students, other teachers and parents. The Mexican teachers later told me she is a racist who hates to work with Americans and only does so because she advertises foreign teachers.
Another owner doesn't seem to care if teachers are paid on time. His accountant loves to make the teachers make several return trips to the school to get their checks. (That's how I learned "ahorita" does not mean right now.)
I know the culture is different and I need to be more patient, but where is that fine line in this culture between patience and being mistreated as an employee?
Also, I have heard the American Consulate will intervene if the abuse if flagrant. Any advice?
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Roy Briggs
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 18
Location: Tuxtla Gutierrez
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| Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:32 am Post subject: Good Schools / Bad Schools |
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Samantha,
Good point about good and bad experiences. I guess that's part of the adventure. One thing's for sure - if you are unhappy, move on. Fortunately there are not many gringos knocking down the doors to teach English here in Chiapas in Sourthern Mexico (there are job opportunities here now). Two of the reasons I could bail myself out of a couple of nightmares were a good reputation (I am teaching at a school I taught at before) and student references. I offer my students my email address for any questions they may have and to practice English with me. This paid off when I needed some references and a vindictive past employer was obsessed with bad-mouthing me everywhere she could.
I think this forum can help. Ask about which schools are good. They are out there. Talk to some of the present teachers at a school if you can - especially the foreign ones. It's not really part of the culture for a Mexican teacher to give you anything but a good reference about his or her current school. Good Luck! |
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kitkat1
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 37
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:51 am Post subject: |
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| Wow - this is getting a bit nasty. I have to say that I for one am glad to see when someone posts about their personal experience with a particular school or recruiting agency or whatever. It helps other people considering the same to at least be armed with some information and to make more educated decisions. I also had a not great experience with the same company several years ago. I posted my experience with them so other people would at least know what to expect from them - which was more than I knew when I gave them my money. Yes I got bashed by the personnel at the company but I couldn't care less. If I saved someone some money or hassle or a bad time, that's great cause that's all I am looking for. In the end, it's up to each person to make their own decisions and you can never have too much information to work with! |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:23 am Post subject: |
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| Nasty? |
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Roy Briggs
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 18
Location: Tuxtla Gutierrez
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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| yup nasty like no air conditioning or fans, no teacher books, no audios, no didatic material, no toilet paper or paper towels, no water, etc. |
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