Job Discussion Forums

[amisexy]

Hi,

I've been applying recently to quite a few jobs. These jobs are in China, Hong Kong, France, Spain and Turkey.

I've heard back from a few who are interested in my CV. (I am a UK citizen, bachelors degree, I am starting a CELTA in a weeks time, teaching experience with children but no TEFL experience).

Does anyone have any advice for the interview? What do most interviews go like? Are there lots of grammar questions?
Is doing an interview before the CELTA foolish?

Thanks

[spiral78]

If you're going to do a CELTA, I'd do it first. It will give you a FAR better idea how to answer questions from a potential employer effectively.

It's not likely to be all about grammar, but can well include questions such as 'how would you go about teaching the present perfect to intermediate students' (this is relatively easy to answer after a CELTA, but most people would have difficulties with it before).

Also, naturally you'll want to be sure to have a professional-sounding email address and contact name. Of course you already know they definitely won't be interested if you're sexy I'm sure you've already thought of this, but it's also true that some employers hang about on Dave's as well, and even though we are mostly anonymous, there is enough personal data here to make good guesses (eg. applying for job opening in Spain, UK citizen, BA, teaching experience with children, starting a CELTA in August.....hmmmmm).

I realize I'm sounding like somebody's granny here, but in a competitive job market, newbies need all the professional edge they can get.

[Sashadroogie]

[amisexy]

Haha, I definitely didn't use a sexy email address Just a plain boring one.
I didn't want to give too much information away either. I tried to keep it quite general for that reason, though I suppose you could guess from the details I gave.

Problem with the interviewing after the CELTA is that many of the schools want a quick interview, and probably won't wait until after I finish the CELTA. I was told by a friend to apply before the CELTA, so I would be able to walk straight into a job.
Maybe I should have held back a few weeks :/

[johnslat]

Dear Sasha,

" . . . God knows it isn't in mine."

Well, doesn't that go without saying? I mean, you DO work there.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Regards,
John

[Glenski]

I would expect it to be as formal as a regular interview. You just can't see all of the facility, and certain body language may be different due to use of the camera. Wear a suit, though. Plan for no distractions in the way of noise or background images.

[spiral78]

[Sashadroogie]