Job Discussion Forums

scienceordivine · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 13

Hola! I'm new to Madrid, been here a few days now, looking for a teaching position obviously.

Just wondering is there anyone in a similar situation who is interested in meeting up for a drink or two and making a new contact in the city. It gets annoying making friends with people in a hostel only to have them backpack off to another country a day or two later. So if your interested pm me or just leave a message below.

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

Check out these intercambios (language exchanges) in pubs:

Tuesday, O'Neills. Metro: Sol/Sevilla. Starts 10 pm.
Thursday: The Beer Tavern. Metro: San Bernardo. Starts 10pm.
Friday: 4D. Metro: Sol. Starts 10:30pm. It's in the plaza opposite Cine Ideal on the corner.

Lots of different people go to these places to meet. I was in the Beer Tavern last night and had a pretty good night out. Head to an Irish bar to pick up the In Madrid newspaper (it's free!) for proper local information.

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

...also don't forget J and Js Books and Coffee - good expat hangout to make contacts and they also run an intercambio night too (their happy hour's 4 to 7, just saying...)

_________________________________________________________________________
...Jobs and language exchanges in Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Rome, Lisbon, Porto and Buenos Aires... www.lingobongo.com

...send your c.v. around ALL the schools in Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Rome, Lisbon, Porto and Buenos Aires...

scienceordivine · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 13

Thanks for the info, my only problem with the intercambios is that i don't speak Spanish, i have a little french but not enough to hold a conversation.

The only language I'm fluent in outside of English is Irish which wouldn't be of much use Smile

If anyone has any other advice it would be appreciated. Thanks for the advice so far.

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

You don't have to speak Spanish to go. Nearly everyone speaks English so Spanish is optional. It's an easy way to meet other English speakers too.

MoonMonkey · Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 33

For scienceordivine,

How has your stay in Madrid been so far, any good or bad experiences?

scienceordivine · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 13

Nothing bad to report, got myself a job, almost got myself an apartment and getting accustomed to the lifestyle. The most difficult thing is getting the NIE and i am still trying to get that. Was offered an appointment for next March from an office in Spain, which needless to say is too far away.

Alls good so far in Madrid.

MoonMonkey · Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 33

Glad to hear you�re enjoying Madrid so far, Very Happy

Could I ask about two things?

Housing

You mentioned that you haven't found an apartment yet. Where have you been living so far? How much did that cost and were you sharing the place?

Work

How have you found the income vs. the expenditure, do you think its possible to save money? Also what kind of hours and what days do you work?

Thanks

Hope everything continues to prosper for you. Very Happy

scienceordivine · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 13

Hi,
I spent the fiorst three weeks living in a hostel, Las Musas, which was about 16euro a day.

I�m working 17.5 hours a week giving company classes over 4 days, start at half 8 in the morning and my last class is finished at 6. I give four private classes a week also.

Cost of living is reasonable, however the cost of partying can get expensive. If you drink cheaply and cook more often than eating out it�s pssible to save a little. Maybe 20 a week. But that is all relative to what your earning obviously. 1000 a month would be the bare minimum really once you earn over that saving becomes easier.

p�l · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

I've just arrived in Spain over the weekend. I'm in a town called Illescas, about 35 minutes from Madrid. I hope you still check this board scienceordivine - I was looking for some advice.

Fortunately my girlfriend is from here, so I am sorted for accommodation for the time being - but I am looking to move into Madrid after I get a job. You seemed to get a job relatively quickly - did you just go to every school in the vicinity and ask if they had positions available? I completed my CELTA in Scotland in December, but I am still waiting for my certificate to be posted out. I was told this should arrive over the next few weeks. Do you think not having the physical certificate will be a major disadvantage to me?

Cheers in advance.

b_a · Joined: 10 Jan 2011 Posts: 2

I am moving to Madrid on Friday (14th Jan) I have somewhere to stay, but am wondering the best way to go about finding work. I have sent out my CV speculatively to private English schools. I'm interested to know if you have any tips? I know you are looking for work too, let me know how you get on, best of luck!

ruth.s · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 6 Location: UK

hey B_A ... I've literally just left Madrid after job hunting there for 10 days or so (I got a job in Valladolid instead)... I had several interviews while in Madrid and a job offer that I turned down (it was part time) and my advice would be

get a Spanish mobile if you don't have one already... a couple of times when language schools answer their phones I got pleasant surprised reactions from them like - oh you got a Spanish number already?! I think it just makes a good impression. I got mine super-cheap too, I paid 10euro for a phone that had 5euro credit! Bargain... anyway I digress

My other piece of advice, probs a bit common sense, but be brave and call up the schools... If you just wait for email replies you could be waiting ages... Or go and see the school with a hard copy of your CV, even if you already applied... It can't hurt...

I must admit, as happy as I am to have this job in Valladolid I was quite sad to be leaving Madrid... It's ace!

Hope that helps, and good luck!

p�l · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

b_a · Joined: 10 Jan 2011 Posts: 2

Hi Pol,

I have been in Madrid a week. I had sent CVs by email before I arrived and I have recieved a job offer, but I am still not sure about taking it. The money seems a bit low. How is your search going?

I have got my social security number, you just need your passport to get that. One person said I needed a NIE to get it, but the lady did it with just my passport anyway.

Have you found accommodation yet?

Let me know how you get on... good luck!

p�l · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

Still searching myself. I have a job lined up, but I think I am not going to take it. My low level of Spanish would make it very difficult and stressful I feel. I had an interview at my ideal school last week and I missed out on the job due to my Spanish, which is a real shame. There were too many children's classes to teach.

I've given up going into Madrid and talking to receptionists for the moment. I'm going to concentrate on emailing schools where at least I can give a bit of personality in the covering letter. I don't have my NIE yet, but I went to Toledo to try and get it on Friday, only to be told to call and book and appointment. You might find this link useful http://www.expatforum.com/expats/spain-expat-forum-expats-living-spain/2724-residency-certificates-nie-eu-residents-padr-n-45.html

Where did you get your Social Security, and how long did the process take? Did you have to book an appointment?

In terms of accommodation, I'm still with my girlfriend in Illescas, and will be until I find a job.

What salary were you offered? I saw somewhere offering 800-1000 p/m for 40 hrs/w. Scandalous. I reckon I only need around 1100 p/m to survive comfortably,but the thought of doing 40+hrs for that sort of money makes my stomach turn.