From Kenya with Love...

                           
Once in a while, in music just as in politics, a phenomenon comes along that makes us take notice.I am a self-confessed pedestrian observer of the music scene in my homeland Kenya and i think thats precisely why people should take notice when i say that Suzanne Owiyo is one of the best entertainers to come along in a while.I can't really put a finger on her musical genre other than to say that she is an immensely talented composer and a literary genius.Its indeed hard to compare her with any one of the contemporary musicians on the international stage; I would love to make a bold statement at this point; Suzanne Owiyo is the best thing that has happened to Kenyan folk music yet...I wish she could compose some tune with one of my favorites,Alicia Keys. I am looking forward to that tune...now for Suzanne Owino..enjoy..

Finding a Job in Prague by Oliver White Getting work in the Czech capital isn't as easy as it once was but English-speakers can still find employment if they know where to look..

Every new foreigner moving to Prague gets an unspoken, three-month period of time in which they're allowed to party heavily, and get to know the city. After that, if they're still jobless, hopeless and increasingly drunk, then they probably shouldn't have come here at all.

My wife likes to tell me that 15 years ago, even the most hideous, foul and otherwise uncool foreigner (usually a man) could drop their passport "accidentally" on the street, and they would find a minimum of seven gorgeous women racing to pick it up, bring him home, and cook svíčková and dumplings.

Times have changed -- regrettably for many long-term foreigners here. Beer doesn't cost five crowns anymore, and most of us have to work to stay here and be comfortable.

Believe it or not, you'll find that most Czech companies today aren't waiting for you at the airport, praying for an English-speaking foreigner to show up so that they can start paying them a huge salary, with a company car, and a statuesque secretary. In light of this, I suggest you "...do what your parents did -- get a job, sir!" (The Big Lebowski)


WHAT TYPE OF JOB CAN I GET?
That's entirely up to you. In Prague, everything from bank consulting, to package delivery, to a job in IT is available. For some people, working for a company in Prague that's headquartered in their native country can have benefits (i.e. more vacation time or free health care, which isn't necessarily offered at home).

The type of job most frequently needed is definitely that of English teaching. This requires, at minimum, a TEFL/TESOL certificate, or a university degree in English or linguistics. Information about teaching English in Prague will be in a subsequent article.


ONLINE JOB DATABASES
The most readily available source of information is the internet. Here you have a plethora of options.

One option is to visit job-posting websites, such as Prague TV's very own posting site: http://www.prague.tv/jobs

This shows you an array of the current job opportunities, many of them permanent positions. Going to job search databases (see below) can be helpful. Even if the site's in Czech, it's easy to switch to English with a few clicks.

Czech Websites With English-Language Sections:

Jobs.cz -- offers an English info button down at the bottom and big-name employers along the left side of the page.

Monster.cz -- part of the international Monster network

Czech-Language Websites
Nawt-mucha-Anglish found on these websites -- but this doesn't necessarily mean that they can't help you:

HotJobs.cz

JOBlist.cz

Dobrá práce.cz

Jobpilot.cz


RECRUITMENT FIRMS & EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
The Czech Republic has a thriving market for recruitment; mainly due to the country's well-educated population and advanced industrial infrastructure. A lower cost of living, compared to neighboring countries, makes the Czech Republic a fine place for skilled workers and drinkers of cheap beer.

Apparently, there's a difference between these two types of headhunters. A recruitment firm specializes in mostly high-level, long-term management positions. An employment agency sifts through the hundreds of CVs searching for a plausible fit for their clients. Although it's "lower-level," I can only imagine that your chances are better with the latter.

Some Options

CV-Online

Grafton Recruitment

Horizons Recruitment

ICT Recruitment

Talents Technology


DO IT YOURSELF
This category includes things such as posting your own advertisements on corkboards in places commonly visited by foreigners and English speakers.

If you're not looking to be the next 60-hour-a-week accounting engineer, then this option could direct you towards a more mellow type of job offer (i.e. bartender, server, coffee-jockey, horse trainer, sausage quality inspector, etc.)

Fraktal, the Bohemia Bagel on Masná, and the Globe are good places to start.


ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUMS AND COMMUNITY DIALOGUE
I've found some of my favorite jobs by word of mouth. It also pays to spend a little time on websites that allow postings, in order to quickly check the options there.

This is useful for learning the "real deal" about potential employers. Information can be passed along easily; just beware of those that use it as a soapbox, or religious pulpit for spewing ignorance.


CONCLUSION
There are many opportunities in Prague, as well as other places in central Europe. One afternoon of searching could yield dozens of possibilities.

Multilingualism is a definite plus, and in many cases necessary. Most jobs require fluency in English, and native English speakers are encouraged to dust off their German, French or Russian dictionaries.

And even if you're completely worthless, you might still find one of those esteemed positions with titles like Drunk-Old Someone and Dirty-Ass That Guy. Just like a regular expat...

This article is cross posted at www.prague.tv

Now for something uplifting...

There are a lot of Joshuas all over the world.Is it just me or does everyone feel like Obama doesn't fully realize the fire he has stocked in the hearts of millions all over the world to be the best they can be? That the media and pundits don't get that for millions of Obama's supporters,they desperately want to him to win the Presidency because they realize that they will have a stake in his administration? And yet they recognize that it will not be a cake walk and are fairly level headed about what can be realistically achieved in the short and long of it? I call myself an internationalist,interested in a lot of issues,from business to technology to commerce and politics and yet i have never met a politician who told me something i didn't already know. But here is the crucial difference...why i am attracted to Obama. He is not about a one man's band. He is a rare leader,he inspires and provokes you to be better...he is the provocateur of good intentions..
Give Joshua a big round of applause...

This Young man knocks my socks off.
I have said it a couple of times before,that the greatest achievement that anyone or any group of individuals can make in their lifetime is to impact some much needed civic education in our political discourse;so that we actually have some informed and civil discussion about the challenges that face us as citizen of this world.The masses needed to be educated,even if it takes a lifetime doing it.
I am very much impressed by this young man,how he articulated his views and didn't loose his cool.Well done Derrick,its an honor to know you,albeit through the net.