Never say never! An Aussie job-searching in Grenoble
September 14th, 2009 | Published in Comment, Features, Work & Study | 14 Comments
Map of Grenoble - check!. Photo: Ambrosiana Pictures (G)
Shonah Kennedy – aka Miss Shonah – is an experienced and qualified ESL teacher from Australia. She has agreed to share with Grenoble Life the highs and lows of looking for work in Grenoble as a non-EU citizen.
by Shona Kennedy
It was a hot and oppressively muggy day. However, I had given myself a mission and it had to be accomplished. Job search time!
Now, I could have just sat down in a park with wifi access somewhere (as the internet connection is still in day four of a possible ten-day operation) and emailed schools in the area and waited patiently for replies, BUT I am a little more masochistic than that, so …
I decided to arm myself with CV, confidence, a smile, comfy shoes, a “never say never” attitude and hit the streets – and as many English language schools as my comfy shoes could take.
This was a mission I was not taking lightly. I prepared my itinerary over a good cup of morning coffee – again a big thanks to James’ post on English language schools in Grenoble. I started with schools closest to my new house and worked my way around in a clockwise direction – and made most excellent use of Grenoble’s more than efficient public transport system.
I was ready: List of schools – check! CV – check! Maps – check! “Never say never” attitude – double check! Off I went.
There were some “unknowns”:
Firstly, I had been warned of Grenoblois indifference, however after living on and off in Paris for almost two years I thought I would be able to cope with a little Grenoblois indifference – as I was sure nobody could do that as well as the Parisians (and I mean this with the upmost respect – they have indifference perfected and it truly is an art form).
Secondly, cold calling is not an action I personally like. Cold calling reminds me of the pool game “Marco Polo”. One person knows exactly what is going on – where in the pool they can move, running around, laughing at the other blindfolded person aimlessly trying to follow the replied “polo”, to their desperate calls of “marco”, when (and if) it is called out. In this job searching endeavour I felt like the one running around the pool knowing exactly where I was going – especially because I had a map! And the poor unsuspecting English Language institutes were the ones with the blindfolds on.
Thirdly, my French is bad – no actually it is worse than bad. Can you get worse than bad? Well, if that is acceptable, that is where I am on the badness scale! I have taken classes (top of the theory test, please note!) and I can see the words in my head – I can even spell them! I can hear the sentence perfectly spoken in my fantasy scenario … then there is some sort of malfunction between my head and my mouth, unfortunately they do not co-operate and what emerges is an awful hodgepodge of spoken French with an Australian twang that does zero justice to this beautifully flowing language.
There were some “knowns”:
Firstly, I love teaching English as a second language. It is fun! As a teacher I have fun (and learn), and the students hopefully have fun, learn and teach (unknowingly) too! So, basically I want to work (a very big positive when job searching!), and the quicker the better. By treading the streets I am speeding up the whole process!
Secondly, I have just arrived in this area, so what better way to meet people than to work. Again, the quicker I can do this the happier life will be.
Thirdly, I have a carrot dangling at the end of a stick – I promised myself a new phone when I acquire a great job!
Oh! And lastly, I am an Australian. Sadly I don’t have a European passport, valid ancestry or any magic card up my sleeve that – at the moment – allows me to work in France. However, I had heard a rumour that companies can “sponsor” people for work; therefore I thought I would see if there was any truth behind this whispering.
So … weighing up the “unknowns” and “knowns” I decided my best bet was to hit the streets.
The first school was curtly efficient. She was nice, all smiles and positive. However, she told me directly they were in no need for any new teachers – at this time (perhaps next week, then?!).
After that it was a breeze! Everyone I met was friendly, enthusiastic and, at a stretch, encouraging. As expected everyone cringed at my French and most changed immediately to English – I think more to stop me murdering the French language! Everyone took my CV and said they would give it to the “right” person (which I am sure wasn’t just “a line” as, within the 24 hours post this little adventure I was contacted by 75% of the schools!).
On other positive notes: as a new resident to this gorgeous city, it was a fabulous way to get my bearings and use the public transport system. I got some exercise walking the streets and I was able to practise my halting French (it can only get better)!
Job searching at street level is definitely a great way to overcome fears of: rejection, isolation, language and getting lost. I would suggest (as James did to me) to get out there and show prospective employees what you are made of. And really the worst anyone can ever say to you is “no” and what have you lost then? Nothing!
On that note this teacher of English (still looking for work) is slightly stuffed after all that walking, talking and – I must admit – enjoying.
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September 15th, 2009 at 6:37 pm (#)
Hey Shonah,
I’m a fellow teacher brand-new to the area–an American. Though I am married to a Francaise, I am not quite “legal” to work just yet–new immigration policies. . . . I just wanted to say “thank you” for an inspiring story–it was fun to read and very informative. You definately have the right approach–seeing a personality in action is MUCH better than reading an impersonal CV.
Though I’m not certain that I’ll stay in formal education (I also have a background in commerce), I, too, love to teach! Your words captured a slice of the experience well.
My experience here (I have been visiting my beau-parents on and off for the last 10 years) has always been wonderful–the people here in this region are very welcoming as a whole. Though I haven’t been working officially yet, 4 year old twins, the start of their first year of school, and the beauracracy of getting established as a family have kept us plenty busy.
I would enjoy talking to you further, when you have the chance. I’d love to hear more of your experiences here in our new hometown.
Thanks again,
Gordon Ray
September 16th, 2009 at 11:50 am (#)
Hi Gordon,
Great that you got something from the story-thank you for commenting!
Oh!You sound very busy with 4year old twins – that is a full time job for both you and your wife I am sure…
It would be a pleasure to chat…you can email (even though I am still waiting on an “at home connection” the 10day delay I am now convinced is an “in” joke that I am unaware of!). I have just sent James an email to see if it is possible to exchange emails on the comments section here…
Thanks again for the very positive response and hope all goes well with the start of the school year for you and your family.
Shonah
September 17th, 2009 at 4:52 pm (#)
Hi Shonah,
Great article – and now I know what ‘stuffed’ means – thanks!
One of my friends who’s from down under too has said it a couple of times and I didn’t get it!
Oh, if you didn’t get a job yet – come to WWNG!
I will email you too . . .
amy the aromatherapist
September 17th, 2009 at 6:49 pm (#)
It’s funny the Aussie use of the word ‘stuffed’. For me (a Brit) it has always meant when you have eaten too much and are uncomfortable as a result. Chrismas dinner, for instance … Funny how these idioms don’t necessarily correspond.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am (#)
Thanks Amy – and glad I could clarify some Aussie vocab!! Also thank you very much for the link for the WWNG – sorry I missed it this month, but will look forward to being there in October (hopefully you will be back from your break and we can meet?).
Oh! James – us crazy Aussies use “stuffed” in the same way too, but then also this other meaning! But we also say (to mean we have eaten too much) “full as a ‘goog’” – as in full as a ‘googy egg’ or meaning that we are as full as an egg is before cracking!!
And that is one thing about English that I love – the absolute differences between all those countries that speak English as a native language – and that at times we don’t know what each other is saying!!Fabulous!
September 19th, 2009 at 6:14 am (#)
You are great !
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:38 pm (#)
Hello Miss Shonah,
Thoroughly enjoyed your article. Not only was it entertaining but I could relate completely. My experiences as an American in Berlin and Bosnia were very similar, and both effective. I agree it’s the most effective way, especially in European countries, to present yourself in person, in a professional, friendly way, to as many schools as possible.
Best of luck and keep up the good writing.
Sam
October 8th, 2009 at 6:02 pm (#)
Dear Shonah,
I really enjoyed your article. I know how difficult it is to get started as a teacher having experienced the same thing here thirty years ago.
I would like to invite you to join a TESOL workshop group where you can share your experiences, learn from others and do some networking.
The workshops are free this year. For more information just go to http://www.qualitytime-esl.com/spip.php?article111
I look forward to hearing from you.
Marianne
October 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm (#)
Congratulations on your up-and-at-’em, Shonah. Good luck.
I’m an Aussie looking for ski patrolling work in the Alps so I know the feeling. All the best and if I hear of someone who wants a fulltime teacher I’ll sling you a line.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:16 pm (#)
Hi Marianne and snow-sprite,
Thank you both so much for your comments!
@Marianne – I was definitely going to contact you regards your workshops – Just this moment I had made a cup of tea and was about to read your interview with James properly! I will be in touch!
@Snow-Sprite – How long have you been in the Alps for? The best of luck with your job search – and what a fabulous job you have! And thanks for keeping your ears to the ground (I will also do the same if I cross anyone’s path looking for a ski patroller). Perhaps see you on the slopes this season!
:-)
December 4th, 2009 at 1:42 pm (#)
Shonah,
Thanks for the story. I was in Grenoble for about three months last winter and went up La Bastille too many times instead of looking for an English teacher/translator job. Your ‘cold-calling’ is inspiring, especially with so little French. I’m from Quebec and speak Quebecois so often I would get many friendly smiles before I realised they weren’t understanding me too well.
Maybe I should get to my question: I’m living in Paris now and I was wondering if you had any recommendations of where I should be looking for work teaching English?
Around 1837 a bunch of rebels who had fought against British rule in Lower Canada (Quebec) got banished to Australia. They were called ‘Les Patriotes’. Most were of French descent but many were Irish and Scottish – you know anybody? And there was this Aussie girl I met in a fake castle in Gaspesie (Quebec) named… What was her name..? you must know her…
Cheers,
Steve Smith
December 14th, 2009 at 2:53 pm (#)
Hi Steve,
How is Paris treating you? I am sorry I have no answer to your question. Paris didn’t treat me so well – or maybe I didn’t give her a fair chance. So I took a self imposed sabbatical whilst I lived there.
I took to private tuition and teaching English online. Let me know how you get on.
As regards to your other questions, I am afraid you lost me there – I am not so good at riddles!
Shonah :-)
October 26th, 2010 at 6:51 pm (#)
thank you for an article in which i have found myself…wondering around the streets of Grenoble , looking for a part time job…nu results yet, but hopefully!!!
November 9th, 2010 at 4:21 pm (#)
Keep trying Oana, there is sure to be something out there for you.
The best of luck.
Shonah :)