Job Discussion Forums

[CTravel32]

Hi,

I am just about to finish my first year at my current (international) school. I have been sending out resumes to get a feel for the level of interest at a few specific schools that I am interested in before I decide if I want to come back for a second year at my current school.

I sent one resume out to an (international) school on Sunday night, via the school website. On Monday at 7:15 am I had a response stating the school thought I would be a good fit for a certain grade and asked if I could send the contact details for 3 references and a few dates and times that I would be free for a skype interview. So I sent all of that out before 7:30 the same day. I gave 2 different times for 2 different dates, Wednesday and Thursday and they replied saying Wednesday was great so I added them on skype. All of my contacts had replied by Wednesday, by the way. Also, due to the time difference the interview had to be during school hours.

On Wednesday the skype interview started and within 90 seconds I heard a knock at my door. I normally have this time off but I was asked to replace a class for a sick teacher, last minute. I ran back to the computer and apologized profusely saying I was being asked to cover a class last minute and I was disappointed because I was really looking forward to having the interview. The HR guy from the school seemed understanding, said he knew how crazy schools could get sometimes and said we could try my other date and time given in the email. In other words, the next day.

(Post 1/2)

[CTravel32]

Just to be sure I sent a message via skype just a few minutes later saying, once again, that I was so sorry about the last minute surprise and that I looked forward to talking the next day, on Thursday.

Well, Thursday came and went, no contact via skype from the guy. So Thursday night I sent an email saying that I was sorry I missed him on Thursday and asking if he was free to talk on Friday. No response.

My wife has been working in HR for years and was stumped, she thought it was quite odd. I asked her if maybe he was annoyed about the class replacement and she said "I really do not think so, it just shows you are still dedicated to your current job even if you are looking for a new one and that can never be a bad thing."

The only thing I can think of is that the school is in a hurry to hire a teacher and likely had an interview directly after mine with someone with similar qualifications, it was a good interview and they went with that candidate.

Still, it is now Monday and no word yet. I figure I should just move on. My wife reassured me that HR can be super busy and maybe he has had no time since Wednesday but just the same, keep looking for other schools.

Any thoughts? The school seemed very promising.

(Post 2/2)

[nomad soul]

They have no further interest in contacting you because they've already selected another candidate.

Don't dwell on it; these things happen. Move on.

[CTravel32]

I assumed as such. They were really moving rapidly, it was Wednesday or never/nothing, for me at least and as far as I could tell. Oh well, moving on!

[depechemodefan1966]

Besides, if they don't even have the common and professional courtesy to contact you to let you know the score, then do you want to work for them anyway?

I wouldn't.

[voyagerksa]

No, you wouldn't. They're flakes.

[voyagerksa]

No, you wouldn't. They're flakes.

[CTravel32]

[CTravel32]

Well, got a message 2 days ago, they were on (a short) vacation. Perhaps labor day. Scheduled a new time and had a 45 minute interview today.

Thanks for the input folks, my mind races too fast sometimes, it seems.

[Teacher in Rome]

OTOH, if you've given a time and date for an interview, and had that confirmed with the organisation - and then, 90 seconds into that interview you bow out - this looks flaky to an interviewer! It looks as if you aren't committed to the interview or to the new job. Yes, I get it that you're a dedicated teacher, but a) you shouldn't be interviewing on your employer's time and on your employer's PC; and b) you should set aside uninterrupted time for your interview. (So that could be in the late afternoon / evening in your own home, for example.)

It seems that everything has been resolved for you now, but in my experience, potential employers like to know that you're serious about dedicating time to them. Plus, of course, it takes time to set up an interview and nobody likes to be bounced out of one after they've allocated time to it.

In any case, good luck with your applications!

[Gulezar]

[nomad soul]

[CTravel32]