Viewing topic: Email applications - they *can* work, but with reservations

Hi,

I started applying to schools in Petersburg at the end of February 2008. In other words - very recently indeed.

The general advice on the boards seems to be to phone, rather than write. I agree, and probably would have done it that way if I'd read the advice sooner.

Just wanted to point out that the email approach does seem to bear *some* fruit. I sent out ten applications, based on reviews of schools which I'd read here. I got six replies, all of them more or less positive.

This doesn't invalidate the superiority of the phone approach. What it does suggest, I think, it that schools are so desperate for teachers that just about any application method has a fair chance. This could well be a reflection of the appalling visa situation, which is making EFL teachers an endangered species, etc., etc.

I found that the successful emails were ones accompanied by a cv, rather than just a polite, speculative letter. If you've taught before, provide names, phone numbers and email addresses of suitable referees at your former schools.

This reassures potential employers, and gets them to take you more seriously.

Keep the whole thing short, include your own phone number (obviously) and mention times when you'll be available for phone interview. Also provide a *concrete* date for your arrival in Russia, wherever possible, and make it clear that you *are* coming, and not just thinking about it.

Happing hunting to all new applicants

Damon

I mean HAPPY hunting. Doh.

danhager wrote:

Also provide a *concrete* date for your arrival in Russia, wherever possible, and make it clear that you *are* coming, and not just thinking about it.

I meant to write DANhager, of course

I called a school the other day and they just told me to e-mail a CV. There didn't seem to be any advantage to calling over sending an e-mail however it was reassuring to have a sweet voice on the line telling me that they are looking foward to getting my CV. Very reassuring indeed. Unfortunately the three month limit seems to be in effect and the schools are vey aware of it. That really puts a damper on my plans. I was hoping to spend an entire year in St. P and though I hate to admit defeat, the prospects of spending that year in Russia are getting slimmer.
So it is my understanding from the other forums that the law requires you to leave Russia for three months before returning, is that correct? Has anybody heard about teachers already in Russia being affected by this law?

90 days is the limit for new visas. I got one two weeks ago and it has "valid for 90 days in each 180" (in Russian) printed on it. So if you stay for 90 days you have to stay out for 90, or other proportionate parts of 180 days.
Of course, it could be worse. If we really were on business trips of short and variable duration it really could get difficult to keep a tally. Imagine: 3 days here, 10 days away; 16 days here, 11 days away...

I've been informed by a language school in St P that if I arrive on a 3 month "business visa", an upgrade to a longer-term visa can be effected quite easily within Russia, without the need to spend significant time abroad. In return for this, they'd like me to sign a short-term contract for four or five months, after which (they say) I can go freelance. I must say this was put forward as a suggestion, not as an ultimatum.

Some schools already have the authority to issue visa "invitations", while many others are currently in the process of getting that authority.

However, I'll leave the serious answers about visas to Robert, since he knows all the ins and outs, including the latest changes.

Good luck. I'm sure it can be done.

Damon

'Fraid to say I'm not really much the wiser than anyone about the visa situ now I'm still trying to sort my own visa out for next year!

Cairo - yep, I'm kind of looking at going for an ordinary biz visa (my company won't get me a work visa, but I'm not planning on leaving them) and possibly living half the time just across the border somewhere and half the time in St. Pete's (probably weekends 'at home' in St. Pete's) but the problem with accumulated entries/exits also bothers me.

It would be a pain if they started counting up days like they do for Russians at the Finnish border

Danhager - I've heard before of 'extending' visas, but I don't believe it can be done through 'ordinary' channels. However, if they say they can do it, it's worth a try. Can you PM me more details about the school and what exactly they're offering?

visa extension huh? sounds good, almost too good for everything else I've heard about the Russian visa regime. Sounds like something you would have to investigate when you are already there.

I've heard of it before, I just can't comment on it as I don't have 1st-hand experience, or 2nd-hand for that matter

I know that certain types of visas *do* work this way - student and work visas included - but there have always been conflicting reports about other types.

Sadly, as it is Russia, rules aren't really rules at all and you can't be sure about anything

An agency in Moscow will do a one-year work visa for c.20000p. I don't have the agency details to hand, as a Russian contact is handling it for me. Even with the flight back and forth and consular fee, the cost is not bad compared to a year's earnings.