Job Discussion Forums

[HappyPizza]

I have not had much luck with securing a job from here in the U.S. I am seriously thinking about saying "phuck it", buying a ticket and simply showing up in Mexico.

I do have some questions, though.

The big city is all fine and dandy, but I don't want to miss out on other things.

1. Any other locations that have a solid job market besides Mexico City?
2. Has anyone taken this apporach before?
3. What should I be aware of in terms of visa matters?
4. Is a one way ticket do able?
5. Is this a bad idea?
6. Has anyone actually showed up at a beach location and found a job
that met their needs (No, I'm not a "cowboy" teacher. I love the job
and take it seriously. I'm just a suker for beaches and sunsets)
7. Is starting out in Mexico City the best option for a first timer?
8. I realize that more is better, but is it possible to arrive with $500 and
make it?
9. Is there anyone on this forum that is working for a school, needing a
teacher (young learners, adults)


Thanks for the help.

happypizza

[spiral78]

Some information about your qualifications and experience would be useful.

[HappyPizza]

[Phil_K]

1. Any other locations that have a solid job market besides Mexico City?
I think the big cities, such as Guadalajara and Monterrey.

2. Has anyone taken this apporach before?
Not exactly but I came without knowing how the heck I was going to make a living here. I didn't even know about the English teaching market, would you believe?!

3. What should I be aware of in terms of visa matters?
This is covered in great detail on this forum. Do a search. In brief, you will receive a 180 day tourist visa, but will need to apply for an FM3 when you find work. Sometimes the school will handle this and even pay for it, more oftenthey won't. This costs in the region of $2000 (pesos).

4. Is a one way ticket do able?
Risky by all accounts, this has recently been covered on the forum

5. Is this a bad idea?
No. you can aleays go home if it doesn't work out. Not too far to go!

6. Has anyone actually showed up at a beach location and found a job
that met their needs (No, I'm not a "cowboy" teacher. I love the job
and take it seriously. I'm just a suker for beaches and sunsets)
Can't comment!

7. Is starting out in Mexico City the best option for a first timer?
I'd recommend it as there are more opportunities here.

8. I realize that more is better, but is it possible to arrive with $500 and
make it?

Only if you're very very lucky. I'd go with US$2000 and a round trip ticket.

9. Is there anyone on this forum that is working for a school, needing a
teacher (young learners, adults)
Maybe, but not me!

[MELEE]

You might want to look into the Oaxacan university system many of the locations are very near or somewhat near the coast.
I think most of the positions are filled for the fall, but there are always people who back out at the last minute.

Make sure you have an apostille on your degree and possibly on your TEFL cert as well.

[leslie]

Bye

[john_n_carolina]

...HP, do you have any outstanding debts?

[hlamb]

I admit that I came here without a lot of the information I should have had, but I did have sufficient money to last for a while and I took a TEFL course, which helped ease me into things.

You'll need to budget rent and other costs for at least a couple of months before you can expect a paycheque to start appearing, as well as a ticket home if it doesn't work out.

[TheLongWayHome]

1. Any other locations that have a solid job market besides Mexico City?
SLP, Queretaro, Leon.
2. Has anyone taken this apporach before?
Nearly everyone here.
3. What should I be aware of in terms of visa matters?
Not doing the gringo dance down at migracion and being prepared to work on a tourist visa for a while.
4. Is a one way ticket do able?
Probably, most of the time they don't check.
5. Is this a bad idea?
Of course not.
6. Has anyone actually showed up at a beach location and found a job
that met their needs (No, I'm not a "cowboy" teacher. I love the job
and take it seriously. I'm just a suker for beaches and sunsets)
Never been to a beach here.
7. Is starting out in Mexico City the best option for a first timer?
Probably more exciting than SLP.
8. I realize that more is better, but is it possible to arrive with $500 and make it?
I arrived with $200 and 'made it' but I had a free place to stay.
9. Is there anyone on this forum that is working for a school, needing a
teacher (young learners, adults)
Schools in SLP are always gagging for teachers, partly because it's a boring 2 mall town.

[hlamb]

There are opportunities in Cuernavaca too, but teachers with at least a bit of experience get the better jobs.

[HappyPizza]

Well guys.....thanks for the replies.


I'm not sure what I'm going to do, honestly.

By the way, what does SLP stand for?


happypizza (or.....pizza that is happy)

[john_n_carolina]

....HP, just make sure you're not running from your debts. nothing worse than waking up every morning thinking about how much you owe...and how little you'll be able to pay off down here as an ESL teacher.

if you're debt free, I'd say $1000 cash and a decent Intl Health card... you'll be fine.

[TheLongWayHome]

[J Sevigny]

Mexico City would be a fine place to start for someone who's used to a monstrous urban vibe. In other words, if you're from smalltown Iowa, you might deal with some culture shock.

Other big markets are Guadalajara and Monterrey.

$500 is not enough money. I think $1,500 would be the minumum, particularly in the big cities where life is expensive.

Everyone wants a beach job. Even teachers I know talk about quitting and going to Acapulco to look for something. As far as I've seen, jobs in beach towns pay next to nothing and rent in beach towns is high.

[Samantha]

JSevigny wrote: