Job Discussion Forums

[daniel_hayes]

I managed to get myself some Summer Camp work for July - still hoping to find Summer Camps for August and maybe some of June -- is this possible?

BUT, my main question is as follows:

Q) Would it be better to be in Spain in June, towards the end of the current academic year, so I can be on-the-ground when schools are looking for new teachers.

OR, would it better to do the main job-hunting in September, just as the new term begins?

Do the language institutes tend to leave their hiring until the last minute - thus making September the best time, or is June perhaps better?

Many thanks.

[spiral78]

Many Europeans in general take the August holidays very seriously - there is typically very little work around in the region then. If you will need an income throughout the summer, probably better to wait until September - it's the main hiring season. If you can afford to go for a month+ without income, probably OK to come earlier.

[daniel_hayes]

I need to maximise my savings, so I couldn't afford to wait around in August. After the Summer Camp I'd probably return to the UK for August, and then fly back in September.

What about looking for work BEFORE the current term ends? Would this be worthwhile?

[Grimace420]

I'd say your chances of finding work would be more fruitful if you looked around September. Yes, hiring tends to be last-minute and based on the expected or real demand for any given year. I wouldn't bother looking in June. Your CV will probably just end up forgotten about.

No por m�s madrugar amanece m�s pronto.

[spiral78]

If you're going to be around for the summer school anyway, it obviously can't hurt to try to get a commitment from a school for the regular Sept/June term. I'd think that most managers of reputable schools would have at least a rough idea of how many new teachers they will be needing (if any), though they may not have really accurate client numbers or teacher count that early. Can't hurt to try, for sure, and if you can land something, that will just be a little extra peace of mind for you.

If, as Grimace says, they forget all about you between June and September, well, you're still starting fresh in September after all!

[daniel_hayes]

Great, solid advice people! when in september would be the best time to start looking? The beginning, or later?

Spiral, I might try and spend a couple of weeks in june/july looking for work, but focus on september.

[pr455]

Start sending out your CV and looking in general at the beginning of September. Many companies in Madrid are starting classes later and later, but it's always great to have your CV in the pile when academies start recruiting.

Suerte,

Shawn

[daniel_hayes]

Shawn, how about if I sent CVs out maybe in June, and then again in September?

And, when is the best time to actually be in Spain? At the moment, I'm thinking maybe a couple of weeks at the end of June, and then properly move to Spain in September.

[pr455]

daniel,

You can send out your CV in June, but not many academies will pay attention to it because they are looking for people who can do what little summer work there is.

I would say send it in September when you are here and that way you are available for an interview should one come up.

Good luck in your search.

Shawn

[daniel_hayes]

Shawn ... should I send out emails and also walk around lots of language schools and hand my CV out?

How about if I intend to look for work in Madrid, Valencia, Seville, and more. Should I just emails loads of schools, and then maybe stay in each place for a few days.

I got offered a job in Salamanca last week, but I have to finish up my MA over the next few months, and I want to be in Spain for a long time -- so there is no point rushing.

Where would you advise getting a good list of language schools? Spainwise seems to have some, as do as few Tefl sites.

[pr455]