Job Discussion Forums

[PYT]

I could have sworn I saw a topic on this earlier, but I can't find it.

Nevertheless, I received a contract just moments ago, however, the FAO never interviewed or contacted me in person.

Should I be worried?

I got this job through emailing the dean of the school (since the international office website was outdated), who forwarded it to the FAO. It's a pretty reputable school in the area, which makes me feel somewhat better. However, I find it strange that he would give me a contract without talking to me.

[johntpartee]

Worried about what? I'm assuming they've seen your resume. You've had SOME contact; very often that's all that's required. Even if it's not real, nothing bad can happen. Look at the contract carefully, make sure everything's to your liking. If it's not.......

[Miles Smiles]

I've been interviewed once. It went well. I decided against the job.

Most people aren't interviewed before they're hired. This is usually the case in public schools and university jobs.

[Ariadne]

I've worked at three universities in China. I had a phone interview for the first school and the time was spent on 'when you get here' conversation. I was hired before they called. I had sent a cover letter and copies of all the docs with my resume and that's how they made their decision. For the other two schools, I mentioned someone I knew on staff in my cover letter and attached the resume and the documents. No interview was required for either school.

The phone interview is often used to verify that you do indeed speak English.

.

[Non Sequitur]

As long as you're dealing direct with the employer (and it seems you are) I wouldn't be too alarmed.
I'd feel happier though if you had access to a current or former FT.

[Shroob]

I actually have the opposite experience, for my current position I was interviewed by the FAO and other teachers. When looking at other positions for the 2012 September start I had skype/telephone interviews with all positions I was interested in. Some of them were token gestures, as in when I answered the phone the first thing they said was, 'We'd love to have you at our university please accept our offer'.

I agree with Non Sequitur though, definitely try and speak to the foreign teachers there.

[therock]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about not being interviewed if it was a public university job. Most uni jobs are standard, 4000 - 5000rmb a month, 10 month contract, teaching 16 hours a week etc, they're hardly going to be swamped with applicants.

[dean_a_jones]

The better places will interview you. They have a direct interest in hiring the best teachers available, and you cannot do this by looking at a CV. It also shows a level of organisation, which is a good sign. (Having said that the best jobs will also try to hire teachers already in country, and hopefully get them to do things like demo classes).

But let's face it, you don't want an interview for their sake, you want it for yours. As others have recommended, if they do not want to interveiw you (reasons for this may be as simple as the fact that their English is poor) then they should put you onto a current teacher there. Just like they cannot judge a candidate by looking at a CV, you cannot judge a school by looking at its (usually vaguely worded in parts) contract.

If they are willing to forgoe the interview then that is their problem, but you should be seeking to get your questions answered. If you read this and think to yourself 'what questions?' then you might want to give this whole process a lot more thought.

[Non Sequitur]

'(reasons for this may be as simple as the fact that their English is poor)'
Excellent point.

[Miles Smiles]

I agree that the interview can be helpful. The interviewer should be able to answer questions about the school and its location. It's a good opportunity for two-way communication. I recommend that one find out exactly one is speaking to: a recruiter or an actual faculty/staff member of the school.

[FarawayNow]

So that is why I get called at 3 am, and asked to get on a plane in New York City! By the way I live no where near NYC. I have had several schools call me, and just think I will pack my bag and get on a plane. No contract, no discussion, just get here now. Glad to know I am not the only one who gets a contract offer in Chinese, and they expect me to sign it. When I e-mail and ask if I can talk to them, they find such a concept strange.

[Brian Hugh]

Your doing OK. Usually and interview with no contract

[Miles Smiles]

[choudoufu]

[Non Sequitur]

Slightly off topic: A couple of years ago in New Zealand which is 4 or 5 (in summer) hours ahead of PRC a Chinese international student in a homestay complained that his host family wouldn't allow him to take calls from his mother.
Much (typically NZ) self blame and soul searching later it transpired that Mum was settling down for a nice chat to sonny boy after supper. Problem was she had not the slightest idea that 9pm China time was 1 or 2am NZ time.
In another example of Chinese lack of international awareness a former student of mine got a job in an international company in GZ. She got to work at 8am and decided to phone a client in Pakistan.
Couldn't understand the negativity.
I had to make her gently aware of the World Clock on Time and Date dot com.
Sorry to hijack but don't take even the simplest thing for granted.