Jobs in Istanbul?

Slavic Studies, huh? I majored in Latin American Literature, but fortunately never had to work as an escort.

I'm pretty sure that you're going to make more money as an English teacher than as a hotel maid, especially if you've got a CELTA.

But if you decide to teach, get a job before you go, or at least begin the application process before you go - local hires often make less than international hires and they almost always have fewer benefits. I checked Dave's ESL Cafe and they have number of EFL teaching jobs in Istanbul, and it looks like a lot of them offer health insurance, housing stipend, airfare, etc. The jobs range from full-time second grade teacher to part time teacher of adults.

I'm also wondering if your Russian might come in handy. There are lots of Russian tourists and merchants that visit Turkey and I'm wondering if you might find something associated with that market.

Thanks for the reply, Menejike

never had to work as an ....

Hey, I didn't have to. In all seriousness, though, it really doesn't require anything risque at all. There's another word for women who do that... But I think I'd better edit my post before I leave. Edit: looks like you can't edit previous posts. Smashing.

local hires often make less than international hires

I'm glad you mentioned that. It's the same in Hungary, but I was hoping for better elsewhere.

There are lots of Russian tourists and merchants that visit Turkey

Now this is appealing. My S.O. has done a lot of work helping Russian-speaking exporters around, but he speaks Turkish. I'll ask around, though. I hear the best way to find a job there is networking anyway.

Thanks again for your input.

Edited by: MountainRain

Getting a jobs not the problem - its getting a legal one thats the bother. Work permits (despite what the language schools all say) are not very easy to get. Schools say they will get you one after arrival - waffle on about delays then when you are caught and deported (5 years ban), they act all solicitous and move onto the next sucker. Turkey has a huge problem as it has a young quite well educated population and a short tourist season which sucks up most of the "boys from the villages", but the rest of the time they are unemployed so unless your skills are ones that a Turk does not have - forget a legal job.

Good luck - but be prepared for a visit from the immigration department.

Dear Mountain Rain,

I used to work as an English teacher in Istanbul for a school called ILM. At that time you could work legally if you had a TEFL certificate, but it was also often possible to work illegally on a tourist visa even if you didnt have a TEFL certificate. At the end of your tourist visa you just went across the border into Greece and came back for another one.

Be careful also about exchange rates- the school will usually offer you an amount in USD but pay you in Turkish Lira, with the rate locked for 3 months. This is probably no problem now, but when I was there, there was a massive devaluation of the Lira, which meant that my salary lost a lot of its value as I was paid in the local currency.

The bit about working legally/ illegally may have changed by now. Be careful of mean/ jerk school owners...

Cheers

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Hello MountainRain,

By this time that you have placed your post, I think you have already visited Istanbul already. If you consider working in a decent job, however different city than Istanbul, I would like to be in contact with you. Kindly reply to me when you get a chance. Thanks.