Job Discussion Forums

Greyhead · Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 3 Location: California, USA

Hi Everyone:

After receiving such supportive feedback from this forum about going ahead with ESL teaching as a second career, I will meet with a school administrator in southrn China while I am on holiday/work assignment in September.

Here are two questions for the new and seasoned teachers alike:

1) When you were first interviewing for a position, what
question(s) did you NOT ask that, in retrospect, you wish you had?

2) What key questions do you always ask in an interview?

Any other suggestions you care to offer for that all important first meeting?

Thanks for your feedback.

Greyhead

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I suggest you make a list of EVERYTHING you can think of that would impact your life and get IN WRITING, what they will give you. Be thorough - this is a foreign country and you can't take anything for granted:

1. Obviously, pay and accomodations should be covered but what about - - utilities? cable tv? satellite tv? internet? furnishings? household items? what floor will you live on? where will you live (in regards to where you will teach)? how often will you be paid? how about overtime? refunds for flight tickets? holiday pay?

2. Other little details such as - - scheduling changes (due to holidays or other events)? distance from the city and shopping areas? transportation? bonus pay? sick leave? plumbing problems? textbooks for the class? class sizes? office hours?

Good lord, I could go on and on. Everyone will have different concerns and different needs, but ask as much as you need to and don't take the answer of "we'll tell you later" or "don't worry about these things". ALWAYS worry and don't take anything for granted.

Spiderman Too · Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:54 am Post subject:

Who out there actually underwent an interview? I mean, seriously? Queries via e-mails sure, but an interview?

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

I had a telephone interview the first time around. I suspect it was mainly to check on my accent. I don't recall any particularly difficult questions.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Make sure, above all else, that your employer is going to hire you LEGALLY, and he knows how to go about this!!! aSK HIM WHETHER THEY HAVE THE RELEVANT PERMITS TO DO SO, AND HOW IN THE PAST THEY FARED BY HIRING FOREIGN NATIONALS.

sECOND,
DISCUSS IN A NONCHALANT WAY WITH HIM HOW TO SECURE YOUR MATERIAL RIGHTS SUCH AS AIRFARE REFUND; YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO GET IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WHILE THE SCHOOL'S IDEA IS TO HOLD ON IT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE - POSSIBLY LONGER THAN YOU STAY HERE!

aSK THEREFORE WHETHER THEY WOULD PRORATE IT AND PAY IT OUT IN MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS! thIS IS AN idwea, NOT AN ULTIMATUM, OF COURSE...

Sorry, this damn caps lock again...