Job Discussion Forums

[cstevens]

So, I've sent out dozens of applications and turned down one very shady sounding job already. I'll be moving into Croatia first, couchsurfing, and spending a week or two looking for a job.

I'm a bit scared to just move out like this without a job waiting for me, but from what I have read, the only real way to get a job is to be there, look professional and have a CV in your hand.

I have experience teaching in the US and abroad, I also have a teaching license.

Is my plan a bad one? How difficult is this going to be?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[spiral78]

If you mean that you will be seeking a teaching job in Croatia (this bit is unclear) then the market is quite small - you may find that you will need to expand your search to other countries, which will require some travel and obviously set-up costs will be a factor in every case.

European jobs simply require a financial commitment up front - but you should be able to find something if you are here on the ground and doing the walk-abouts.

[denise]

What sorts of jobs are you looking at? If you have a teaching license and some experience, you could look into international schools. I didn't go that route myself so can't speak from experience, but I imagine that if you check a few websites you can see how to apply--I don't think they are the sort of knock-on-the-door-with-CV-in-hand sorts of jobs.

d

[naturegirl321]

If you have a teaching license, try knocking on doors of intl schools, but you had better have a legal visa first.

[cstevens]

Yeah, maybe that was unclear, sorry

I'm starting in Croatia, but will be heading around to different countries looking for jobs. I'll be spending a week or two in each place and then moving on if I can't find any work.

I am trying to avoid EU countries because of the work visa issue.

By staying with people and in hostels I hope to keep the costs down for a bit.

I tried applying over the internet for just about every international vacancy I could find, but it didn't work.

Hope that clears things up, sorry.

[spiral78]

It's pretty rare to find a job in continental Europe from abroad.

One hint - google the Schengen zone for a list of countries. You can only stay in the zone (regardless of which country/ies) for 90 days max, then you have to go out for 90.

You'll want to be aware of what countries are in the zone so you can calculate your time to avoid any problems at the border.

Remember that you can get legal work permits in SOME EU member countries: The Czech Rep, Poland, Slovakia are all possibilities. However, you will have to get a job and file for a working visa within 90 days of entering the zone, even if you entered through another country in the zone....

Sorry if that's confusing, but read up on the Schengen zone and I think you'll see what I mean.

[hope3809]

I would look into the Czech Republic. I have some friends from my TEFL course that stayed there to teach. They said the visa thing was a hassle in that they were running around trying to get it done prior to their 90 days being up. But they pulled it off because they had a job contract. As long as you get a job contract before the 90 days runs out your golden. Once that happens they will give you an extension to stay because it could take several months before you get your actual work visa. My friends were also already living in the country.

I also checked out Poland and they have teaching positions for non EU citizens and from what I read the visa cost is free. Check out the Poland embassy (visa) websites for yourself of course. But both are beautiful places and places that have plenty of schools to teach in.

Cheers!

[cks]

Do you have a TEFL? You did not state this earlier, or I missed it somewhere. There are a fair amount of jobs here in Prague and throughout the Czech Republic as long as you are certified. You will have to come here now while it is still the peak hiring season. Everything that was mentioned about the Schengen issues are 100% correct. The same probably applies for Slovakia. The Slovaks are wonderful people, but there are probably only jobs in Bratislava at the moment.

[hope3809]

My apologise if I didn't mention that...yes I am TEFL certified. I attended an extremely intense 4wk course there in Prague. Good luck!

Cheers!

[coledavis]

I don't know about this 'being there' theory. I suspect that it makes things easier, but up to now I've got jobs abroad without being physically present.