SingleTrackMind

Hi all, this is my first post so go easy. I am a student in the U.S. and have been working as a bike mechanic for the past three years. I am sick of the Arizona heat and the general mentality of the people that come into the shop. I am trying to research how one might go about procuring a job as a tech, mechanic or apprentice at a bike shop in Europe (preferably France or Greece as I speak some French and I have relatives in Greece).

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Johnny_Monkey

Do you have an EU passport? If not, then your first task will be figuring out how to work and live in Europe legally I think.

cyclezealot

I can understand your impatience with Ariz. heat. What it lasts six months. ? / How close are your Greek relatives. Hopefully, first generation. / Check with the Embassy website of the country in question. Their website gives you the basic requirements for obtaining a visa. / Know any Greek female cyclists who need their bike kept in tip top maintenance. Falling in love and marriage is the easiest way to get a visa. Unless you can be self sufficient or have enough cash to start your own bike shop. / I recall reading Greece is the hardest country in the EU to get a visa. You must show Greek ancestry.

Pedaleur

I agree with the others -- it won't be easy. If you are not European, you'll need a work permit. Getting a work permit as a mechanic will not be easy, since Europe is not hurting for bike mechanics. Unless you have the connections cyclezealot mentions, you'll need a job lined up before you can apply for a permit. But who would hire you if you didn't already have a permit? I think you see where this is going.

If you want to move to Europe, you're better off trying to get a fellowship in whatever field you're studying in. It's not nearly as hard as people think, and now (assuming you're young) is a great time to do it. Go for it.

Unsolicited comments about Europe: France and Greece would be great places to live. If you're worried about the language, English is widely spoken in the low-countries and Scandinavia. To a lesser extent in Germany. Much less in Italy and Spain and Eastern Europe. I've heard they try to use it in England, as well.

Good luck!

cyclezealot

We got into France by being financially independent and applying for a business. I suggest this blog is the easy way. / In fact a French friend told my wife. Knock off your husband and marry a Frenchman. Life would be easier for you.
Are you looking for a wife too.? Maybe you could do some amateur racing in the EU and fall in love with with a French cycling fanatic.
++++

Blogs about: Find A Wife In Europe
Featured Blog Looking for Brides - Bachelors!
Hey Bachelors, if you’re looking for a bride you can find one on the internet as I’m sure you now know! I think going that route takes some balls, and you have to be really old to make a m… more »

Cosmopolitan Magazine. The Bachelor Links, Advice and Stories!
https://wordpress.com/tag/find-a-wife-in-europe/

supersport

Another option is to go to college or grad school in Europe. The stipends are usually enough to live on and an education in the country may help with getting a work permit. I'm in Italy on a 3-year postdoc.

Pasdetout

If you speak french, it can be easy to find a job teaching English in France. Google "french assistantship" (I don't know if that's actually a word in English, the french perhaps made it up) or look up getting a TEFL certificate or an equivalent (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Try to find a school that guarantees placement abroad; it will make the visa process easier. This whole process is easier than you'd think.

tulip

Teaching English may be a good option. I did not want to do that, but in retrospect, it might have been a good gig while I looked for something else.

I found that, even though I am a French citizen, my college and grad school were all in the US, and that just didn't fly with the potential employers with whom I talked. I probably should have looked at some US companies with offices in France at the time, but the internet was not readily available (this was about 10 years ago) and so I went through the normal routes (ANPE, etc.) and got nowhere.

Being a bike mechanic might be difficult because France has their own bike mechanics. I'd say give it a go anyways. If you can enroll in a university, you can get a student visa at the very least. Even though I was unemployed in Paris, I was in Paris, and that can't be all bad!

Bikeforumuser0012

Hey there, please see my post regarding job ad in Europe, details also included here...

Tour d’Afrique Ltd., creators and organizers of the world’s longest bicycle expedition and race from Cairo to Cape Town require the services of a qualified bicycle mechanic for the 2009 Orient Express Bicycle Expedition which starts in Paris and ends two months later in Istanbul - covering 4000 km.

Job definition:
In the simplest terms, the mechanic is responsible for ensuring that the participants on the tour are able to cycling everyday. The mechanic will do this by performing regular maintenance on the bikes, conducting periodic bike maintenance seminars with participants, and by being creative, hard working and resourceful when a problem arises.

Dates: May 31 to July 18, 2009

Countries travel through: France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey

Compensation:
All expenses covered (including flight, visas, travel insurance), and monthly stipend

Your costs:
Food on the days off, bicycle and camping equipment, excess baggage fees and any other related travel costs.

Details: www.paristoistanbul.com

Experience and Attributes:
• While preventative bike maintenance and cleaning are the responsibility of the participants; repairs, overhauls and tune-ups are taken care of by the mechanic.
• Due to the range and diversity in bicycles used, compatibility with parts and tools will require improvisation and resourcefulness.
• Outstanding client service skills are imperative.
• 10 years experience in maintaining and repairing a large range of bicycles.
• Creative, resourceful, flexible, easy-going
• Some travel experience in developing countries preferable
• Preference also given to candidates living in Europe with language skills related to the countries the tour travels through

Responsibilities:
• Maintaining and repairing the bicycles for all participants in the Tour.
• Maintaining the Company’s inventory of tools and equipment related to his job.
• Perform other tasks related to the smooth operation of the Tour that may or may not be related to bicycle mechanics.
• Cycling in support and security of the participants.
• Helping out with preparation of lunch and dinner.
• Any other tasks that may be required to keep the tour running smoothly.

*interested candidates can email a cover letter and resume (with 2 references) to shanny@tourdafrique.com

breton

I have to admit, it is going to be tough to just move and find a job. I married a French gal so n problem ;-) Your best bet, in France at least, is to work as a stage, i.e. a trainee/apprentice. Maybe you could check Decathlon. Are you a student? That might be another option. The employment scene here is not great, so you have quite a challenge to make it happen. Drop me a line, maybe I can send you some links.

ciao,
Paul