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Posted August 16th, 2012 - 4:31 pm by 
from Key Largo, United States (Permalink)
from Key Largo, United States (Permalink)I agree about Frontiers UK since you are already in England. I applied a few years ago but the air fare from USA to Tanzania was too much to handle! It is hard to just turn up at a resort and say hire me because of the whole work permit thing. What agency are you getting certified with? For example PADI has a professional web site to help you apply for jobs. And lots of resorts like hiring brand new instructors rather than us ole' broads! Right now a lot of places in Greece and the Med are hiring as it is their busy season. What part of the world do you want to go to?
Posted August 16th, 2012 - 6:11 pm by 
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)Hi C.lee - ah well thanks for letting me know, because that was pretty much my plan up until now! Haha! Yes I'm certified with PADI - I didn't know they had that service though - brilliant! I'll look into it! Aha really? That's weird, you would've thought they'd want experience... Oh right, ok, well I wanted to go to France (anywhere in France), then Mauritius, then the Caribbean and hopefully French Polynesia.
Also, do you know how pedantic foreign dive centres are about your fluency in their language?
Thanks so much!!
Also, do you know how pedantic foreign dive centres are about your fluency in their language?
Thanks so much!!
Posted August 16th, 2012 - 9:35 pm by from Key Largo, United States (Permalink)
from Key Largo, United States (Permalink)Hey - as you do your courses ask your instructors about the PADI online employment board. Let them sign in and show you how. Once you have your Dive master number you can do this on your own - but make them show you. If they don't - write to me and I will give you instructions and even my passwords. I admire you and your youth and what you want to do. I started my dive career later in life and wish I had started at your age - and wish I had more of a mentor. As for languages - well - they want to know if you can teach in them. I can speak some french, german and spanish - but I cannot teach scuba diving in them. Your list of where to go are very doable even if you only speak English. Yes, they love new instructors because they can mold you. Be persistent. Be intelligent. Be willing to do everything. I was recently on a boat with a guy that didn't want to clean/do dishes/fill tanks - "that's dive master work he said" - I told him he would not make friends that way. When you become an instructor it is exciting - but you will be required to do it all - so be willing. And make sure when you do your dive master course they also teach you to guide dives - even dive sites you have never been too. I worked with a captain that received a Divemaster with 62 dives from south africa on a caribbean liveaboard. Don't be shy. Be brave. Also - look into some liveaboards. At your age some of the best money available and great experience.
Posted August 17th, 2012 - 1:02 am by 
from Kuta, Indonesia (Permalink)
from Kuta, Indonesia (Permalink)Hi there,
I run a dive center in Bali and will be happy to give you some input about how to go ahead with your search getting a job!
You would set up a CV and send in your application to the dive centers where you would like to work.
This CV should be as accurate as possible!
We know the phrases which almost everybody uses in his CV to impress an employer. You should NOT use them.
There is no point of pointing out you are a team player. Of course you are! That's the minimum we would expect of an employee!
No need to point out you are reliable! Also this skill is just regular standard.
You do not need to list all the specialties you might be teaching, since it is not of very high value for an employer, because the demand is just to little!
You need to know, there are thousands and thousands of dive instructors out there. You would need to offer something which is way above average to get a decent job.
Regarding languages:
THIS is what really counts. If you are English speaking only, it will be very difficult, because EVERY dive instructor speaks English.
Nowadays three languages is minimum standard.
You need to be able to speak, write and teach in all three languages.
Regarding teaching skills:
There are professional ways of how to teach a person, whichever kind of topic.
The associations who give out instructor licenses are not paying attention to this at all. That means the majority of dive instructors can't teach, they just instruct. If you are qualified in professional teaching, this would be a big advantage!
Try to make sure you show, you are a professional in the field of sports. You do not need to look like a model, but sportive athletic body shape definitely helps to increase your credibility.
If you are replying to a job offer, make sure your application is complete and does refer to the job offer.
If e.g. certain documents or pictures are required, just send in the documentation one wants to see. They ask for them for a reason!
Free lancing only exists in your home country. In all other countries you are a foreigner and need to have a government's work permit to work legally.
The story of the world-traveling-dive-instructor, who easily finds work everywhere is a lie, created by the diving associations to attract instructor students.
Good luck with your search!
Werner
I run a dive center in Bali and will be happy to give you some input about how to go ahead with your search getting a job!
You would set up a CV and send in your application to the dive centers where you would like to work.
This CV should be as accurate as possible!
We know the phrases which almost everybody uses in his CV to impress an employer. You should NOT use them.
There is no point of pointing out you are a team player. Of course you are! That's the minimum we would expect of an employee!
No need to point out you are reliable! Also this skill is just regular standard.
You do not need to list all the specialties you might be teaching, since it is not of very high value for an employer, because the demand is just to little!
You need to know, there are thousands and thousands of dive instructors out there. You would need to offer something which is way above average to get a decent job.
Regarding languages:
THIS is what really counts. If you are English speaking only, it will be very difficult, because EVERY dive instructor speaks English.
Nowadays three languages is minimum standard.
You need to be able to speak, write and teach in all three languages.
Regarding teaching skills:
There are professional ways of how to teach a person, whichever kind of topic.
The associations who give out instructor licenses are not paying attention to this at all. That means the majority of dive instructors can't teach, they just instruct. If you are qualified in professional teaching, this would be a big advantage!
Try to make sure you show, you are a professional in the field of sports. You do not need to look like a model, but sportive athletic body shape definitely helps to increase your credibility.
If you are replying to a job offer, make sure your application is complete and does refer to the job offer.
If e.g. certain documents or pictures are required, just send in the documentation one wants to see. They ask for them for a reason!
Free lancing only exists in your home country. In all other countries you are a foreigner and need to have a government's work permit to work legally.
The story of the world-traveling-dive-instructor, who easily finds work everywhere is a lie, created by the diving associations to attract instructor students.
Good luck with your search!
Werner
Posted September 17th, 2012 - 2:08 pm by from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)Werener - Wow, this is such valuable advice from someone who runs a dive centre! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it, and I'll keep in mind everything you've said. I still have around 8 months before I leave to get my qualifications, and hone my teaching and language skills, so am hoping I'll be well prepared! Thank you so much :)
Posted September 17th, 2012 - 2:04 pm by from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)C.lee : the online employment board sounds so useful! I'll check it out. That's such a kind offer thank you so much :') I'll see how I go, and know to come to you if I need help. Ah that's such interesting insight, I'm so willing and excited for this so hopefully it will work out! Yes, I've basically done the DM course but they can't qualify me until I'm 18, and when I am I'll do instructor course too :). Liveaboards sound like a really good option - thank you. Thank you so much! I'll try my best, but I have a while until I leave yet!
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Posted September 17th, 2012 - 2:14 pm by from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)Hi Matt! Thank you so much for your reply - this is invaluable advice. Yep, I was planning to turn up in person so hopefully that will be an advantage! Not at all, general information is very useful and you've given me a great idea of the countenance of the industry. Ah this is so reassuring ! Thank you I'm very excited xD
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Posted December 8th, 2012 - 6:51 pm by from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)Clément, thank you so much for this information! I had no idea!! Are you certain that I couldn't teach anywhere without this qualification? Even as an experienced PADI instructor? In that case I now know not to prioritise those places - thank goodness you told me :)
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Posted December 9th, 2012 - 5:33 pm by 
from Sarasota, United States (Permalink)
from Sarasota, United States (Permalink)Clement is absolutely right. In France PADI instructors are not allowed to teach without a Brevet d'etat. The approximate cost for this is 6000 euro and a year of studies through the FFESM. The french Federation is talking about new changes where they will bring in a certificate rather than going for the full Brevet D'Etat but they still have not officially made the changes yet.
PADI has been trying to battle it for years but has made no headway on this matter due to the insurance and liability requirements. However restrictions have been lifted on other EU states and you can teach there.
PADI has been trying to battle it for years but has made no headway on this matter due to the insurance and liability requirements. However restrictions have been lifted on other EU states and you can teach there.
Posted August 29th, 2012 - 5:41 am by 
from Perhentian Islands, Malaysia (Permalink)
from Perhentian Islands, Malaysia (Permalink)heh...i try send email frontiers UK and give me answer they are total full all time....so bad luck even to find job like pro PADI instructor ;)
Posted August 16th, 2012 - 6:05 pm by from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)Ah thank you so much!! I hadn't heard of Fronteirs but it sounds perfect. I hadn't heard of Greenforce either actually so will definitely look into them. Brilliant, thank you for the help! I'll start having a look :)
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Posted September 17th, 2012 - 2:00 pm by from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)Norzumaayati, Thank you so much! Ah really? Thank you, well since I'm working at a dive centre already, I'll ask them to teach me that! Thanks so much - this sounds just like what I want to do.
Posted August 18th, 2012 - 1:08 pm by 
from Barcelona, Spain (Permalink)
from Barcelona, Spain (Permalink)Hi there,
Frontier has available some dive officer positions, but they are more volunteer than jobs. They pay you 75 pounds a month. Insurance and flights only if you stay for more than a year.
Accommodation and food is provided though.
I don't think should be a problem to find a dive manager position, moreover if you have experience in business (let's say, more than just diving), accounting, marketing, etc.
You can also take a look at our page: http://divescover.com/pros/
Let me know if you need any help.
Cheers!
Frontier has available some dive officer positions, but they are more volunteer than jobs. They pay you 75 pounds a month. Insurance and flights only if you stay for more than a year.
Accommodation and food is provided though.
I don't think should be a problem to find a dive manager position, moreover if you have experience in business (let's say, more than just diving), accounting, marketing, etc.
You can also take a look at our page: http://divescover.com/pros/
Let me know if you need any help.
Cheers!
Posted September 17th, 2012 - 2:10 pm by from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)
from Maidenhead, England (Permalink)Hi Sergio - thanks so much! That actually sounds pretty good, I'll have a thourough look at your website, something like this or Club Med which pays for flights and accomodation is exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you :)
