Job Discussion Forums

[adamscheurich]

I'll be moving from NY to Poland on the 13th of August. I'll temporarily be living with my fiancee's family in Tarnow until we move to Krakow or Wroclaw (depends where I land a job) in September. At this point in time, what should I be doing in terms of looking for jobs in Krak and Wroclaw? Should I wait until August to visit schools personally, or do schools typically hire earlier than that? Also, do schools in these cities ever hire without a physical meeting? School suggestions would also be helpful. I'm getting nothing on job boards. Thanks a lot.

[spiral78]

You usually need to be there in person. August/first of September should be ok in terms of timing. Lots of people on holiday in August, in any case.

[adamscheurich]

Do you know any schools in Krakow or Wroclaw? I've only taught in Tarnow and I never see any schools advertising jobs in Krak or Wroclaw. Usually only small towns. Should I be sending my CV to schools now?

[adamscheurich]

Does the fact that most people will be on holiday in August mean that they will do most of their hiring in July?

[Richfilth]

Most schools working semester-systems dry up around the end of June; the pre-paid contracts run for a few more haphazard weeks to use up all the paid-for hours, but once that's over then both July and August are low-working months. If you send off your CV in this time, you'll get filed as "URGENT" by any half-decent school secretary, but the manager taking month-long breaks won't return your calls until very close to September or even as late as October.

If you're not here by September, you'd better have some cash reserves to see you through when you do eventually touch down. There's always work around, but by that time it's the stuff no-one else wants. Still, you've got to pay your dues somewhere.

[adamscheurich]

I'll definitely be there before September (Aug. 13). I'm just trying to find out whether the good jobs in Krakow and Wroclaw will already be taken by August. Basically I'd like to know whether the peak hiring time will have already passed by the time I arrive on Aug 13. Anyhow, thanks for the replies.

[spiral78]

No, the peak time for hiring new teachers will probably NOT have passed. People who are here to interview have usually been here at least the previous year. There are a significant number who move on after the first contract, and they are normally replaced no sooner than the end of August (for some on-the-ball DOSes) and most commonly in September.

Now, good jobs... well, the best ones normally go to those in the know who have already been around in so-so jobs the first year. Expect medium sorts of positions your first year in any country. You work up to the better work schedules, salaries, and employers.

But don't worry - you will be arriving in plenty of time, assuming that you don't expect a paycheck until end of October. 'Cause that's when you'll most likely get the first one.

[spiral78]

Do you know any schools in Krakow or Wroclaw? I've only taught in Tarnow and I never see any schools advertising jobs in Krak or Wroclaw. Usually only small towns. Should I be sending my CV to schools now?

It's rare for schools to hire (or advertise positions) from abroad. That's why you don't see ads. The exception to hiring (or even arranging interviews) from abroad is usually only schools in remote regions, or those very few who are seeking specialist qualifications. Sure, if you know anyone to send a CV to, send it - but your best bet, by far, is to start beating the streets at the end of August/first of September.

One other piece of advice (sorry - it's a bit blunt and non-politically correct) - get married asap. Will greatly ease your visa process. I'm speaking as the spouse of a Czech national...