Job Discussion Forums

[Christina_from_Cali]

Hello,

First, I'm posting this- because it's a job in the South of Spain. I don't want to name-names, in case it breaks the forum rules.

I saw a posting for the job, which is too good to be true. I thought I'd give it a shot. They're offering a high salary: 3800 euro, airfare, room, board, 6hr workday, weekends off, holidays, 1 week vacation and health insurance.

After a six e-mails, a week, and an "interview form" I have a job offer in my in box, and even information to contact their immigration lawyer to process the visa.

Here lies my concern:
1) We never spoke on the phone or via skype. It seems too easy, although I have great experience and education.

2) The lawyer responded very fast. She is asking for:
"
* A copy of the first page of your passport,
* Visa Application Forms, fully completed.
* 1 Recent Passport-type photograph
* Visa/Work Permit possessing fee"

Although, it didn't mention where to send the processing fee! (Hopefully it doesn't mean to the lawyer)

3) I was reading the Spanish Embassy website in San Francisco, it states that visas can only be processed through them! What do I need her for? Unless it's a front to scam passport information?

4) The school director and lawyer are using gmail and yahoo email addresses. I googled the lawyer- and she has some resources to her credit: a book, a forum posting, her own website.

5) The school is established as being a "Spanish language to foreigners" institution- but said: "They're expanding to a general language school"


Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? Does this sound valid, or plain ol' BULL$*!%


Please advise. Thank-you for reading and taking the time to help!

[Moore]

Scam, no question. Never ever pay "visa processing fees" in advance: apart from being impossible, that is the scam.

The pay and conditions are too good also (especially for the south of Spain).

Do not go anywhere near this one.


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[spiral78]

It's a scam. They can't get a visa for you.

It's Spanish federal law which limits English teachers to European Union citizens, except in rare cases of international school openings or occasional openings at universities for teachers with significant specialist qualifications.

Further, visas must be applied for in person from one's home country as of January 1, 2008. It's not possible for you to fly to Spain and later be issued a visa. You would have to have a contract in advance and then apply yourself for a visa, then go to Spain. *for non-EU member citizens.

Unfortunately, there is zero chance that this is legit.

P.S. If this is 3,800 gross monthly, it's so wildly inflated that it's simply laughable. For example, I have an MA TESL/TEFL, 12+ years of experience, specialist qualifications, have been published, am working on a doctorate, and am employed in a university in the Netherlands, where the economy is generally MUCH stronger than that of Spain today. I don't make this much.

No chance is some private language school offering this, even if your qualifications are strong.

[Insubordination]

Your suspicions are correct. If they wanted someone, they would hire a legal Brit. If they wanted an American, they would find one already in Spain. Good you figured it out before you gave them any money.

[Bradfrd12]

ou should tell the forum the school so that others may be warned. I haven't read the forums with much detail but I have seen several warning posts about scams and illegit schools.

What's the school? Where is it? Who is the lawyer? etc...

READERS BEWARE!

[jonniboy]

[quote="Christina_from_Cali"]I saw a posting for the job, which is too good to be true. I thought I'd give it a shot. They're offering a high salary: 3800 euro, airfare, room, board, 6hr workday, weekends off, holidays, 1 week vacation and health insurance.[quote]

There's a very simple rule to judging anything from Spain as a scam. The absolute maximum best offer that any school will offer to a candidate now will be 1500 euro, no airfare, no room or board (odious summer schemes for the genuinely desperate excepted) , split shifts, public holidays (nothing exceptional there - lucky if you get them paid!) and no health insurance. All those tantalising goodies will only be for EU passport holders already in Spain who have undergone an interview.

If you get anything that radically deviates from that, forget it.

The simplest rule though is never pay anyone for doing a job!

[Marcoregano]

[Bradfrd12]

Careful there Jonniboy...I think you went off the deep end with exageration....

I agree that 1500 is probably the best you'd get, sure. Certainly no airfare or room and board. But not all are split shifts and I follow the school year so my teachers ot only have public holidays but all school holidays and they are paid! Granted I can't pay during the summer months. As for health insurance it comes with soc. sec. once you're on a contract (EU passport holders).


So I think you made your point that schools are more dodgy than legit but let's not scare everyone away, shall we. I still want to find a few good teachers for next year!!

[jonniboy]

[jonniboy]