Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Catch up post: the job
Ever since class started here I've been sure to make it clear to both my instructor and the General Manager (one of the owners) here that I was interested in a position at Maximo in Costa Rica. I quickly found out that the CR Maximo is MUCHMUCH smaller than Cusco. I was kinda bummed, but was confident that I would find a teaching job somewhere as there are plenty of language schools in CR.
Right around the first of the month I sent my resume to the GM here to forward on to CR. The next day our instructor tells me that the GM in CR (another owner) called asking about TEFL students because they need a teacher. I was super pumped! So a couple days go by and I don't hear anything so I decide to send my resume and an email directly to the GM in CR to express interest in the job. I receive a reply, almost immediately asking if I can do a skype interview that day.
Later that evening I get the call on skype. I'm expecting a 20-30 minute conversation focusing primarily on how my TEFL class is going and if I have any other teaching experience. 30 minutes into the call we're still talking about my last job, and teaching hasn't even come up. He's also asked me about my Spanish skills and had me talk to him in Spanish for a few minutes.... even though Spanish is strictly forbidden in the classroom. Finally he asks, "So, are you looking for a teaching job, where you will have weekends free and can just kind of relax and enjoy CR? Or would you be interested in something more demanding." A bit taken a back, I reply, "well, I guess that would depend on the job." He then sends me a PDF with the job description for the Director of the National Program and Academics. After picking my jaw up off the ground I tell him that I would definitely be interested in this position.
We continue to speak for about another hour. He emphasizes that the hours are looooong and weekends are often involved. He expresses concern about how my family in CR will handle me working the long hours, asks about my family back home and the likelihood that in a few months I'll be home sick and ready to leave, asks about what happens if my house doesn't and all kinds of other things that he could never ask in the states. Finally, he says that he thinks this is all good and he would like me to talk to the GM here in Peru. I said that was fine and he replied, "You know where his office is right? He's ready for you now." YIKES!
So I hop up and head down for another 30-40 minute interview that seemed to go quite well. I had been told that there would be a 3rd interview with the GM from CR's wife (the 3rd owner) and that it would be in Spanish, and obviously via Skype or the phone. My Spanish is decent, but I HATE Spanish conversations on the phone, so I was pretty nervous.
The next week, I had my interview and actually thought I did alright. And then the waiting started. When I heard from the GM in CR I was told that they were going to check my references, but also send me an offer letter. The next day we talked again and I officially accepted the job. The offer letter spelled out some benefits that hadn't even been mentioned, like a cell phone and service, and reimbursement for my return trip to CR.
He also had me switch my ticket to a couple days later so that I could stay here and train with the directors here for a bit. So I started training this morning and will continue to the end of the week, flying home on Saturday. Today went well and I'm really excited about the job. Many other things have happened in the past week or so as well.... but those will need to wait for another post.
BIG GIRL JOB IN COSTA RICA!!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Labels: Costa Rica, Cusco, Maximo, Peru
1 Comments:
Thanks for posting the full story. It is great to see how the Lord worked this out for you! You see...even when the Devil works in your life, the Lord can work it out for the good!
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