Job Discussion Forums

[anospi]

Hi everyone,

Well, tomorrow I leave Australia for Bangkok. I'm 25, male, have a Bachelor of Engineering and 3 years work experience in that field, and I recently completed my CELTA. I'm at a point where the office job just became too mundane, and I have an insatiable urge to travel. My plan is to find a 6 month position in Cambodia or Laos, or failing that, Thailand or Vietnam.

Apart from my CELTA, I have never worked in TEFL, and I have have never had a job interview for a teaching position. Help! Are there any useful links that talk about the English teaching job interview process? What questions should I be asking (apart from the obvious, like pay, resources, conditions etc)? What questions should I be expecting?

Also, I'm a little worried at the fact I have no experience apart from my CELTA. Everyone says they want at least one years experience plus CELTA. I'm not going to let this put me off approaching schools or anything, but can anyone give me tips on the sorts of places I should be looking for work, given my experience? My engineering experience was in the field of environmental software development and training, and I worked on a project in Vietnam for 3 weeks if that helps.

One last thing. I am not looking for teaching work just because I want to travel. I didn't enjoy my old job, and I enjoy working with people from different cultures. After working in SE Asia (to get some experience under my belt), I want to find a position in South America for 12-18 months.

Thanks heaps.
Will

[denise]

I'd hold off on asking them about pay and benefits until after they offer you a job. I usually ask about the other teachers--how long they have been there, how often they meet/pool resources, whether I can talk to one, etc.

d

[Glenski]

These are fairly typical for Japan, so I'd suspect they would fit many other countries as well. Replace Japan with any other country/language.

Why do you want to come to Japan?
Do you like Japanese women?
Can you speak Japanese?
Can you eat Japanese food?
What kind of problems do you think you will have here?
Have you ever lived abroad?
What are you going to do if you get homesick?
How will you handle problem students?

[dmb]

Honestly Glenski? In an interview you might get asked if you like Japanese women. I've been involved in recruitment for a number of years. One question I have never even considered asking is'do you like Turkish women'

[Glenski]

dmb,
Yup, they sometimes ask that for us Japanese teachers. It's a good way to weed out the chaff. I interviewed with a guy (simultaneously), and we were both asked that question. He blew it by going on about how he once had a Japanese girlfriend and loved the relationship, blah blah blah. I merely said how lovely I thought many were, and how I liked their kimonos. I was hired. He wasn't. I was also about 17 years older than him (practically fresh out of college).

[ls650]

In addition to Glenski's questions:
- how would you handle a conflict with another teacher?
- how would you handle a conflict with your director of studies?

[dmb]

i was once asked how i would deal with a female teacher being raped. I can't remember my answer but I got the job.

[carnac]

Read this article by our buddy Guy in Mejico from this forum at http://www.eslemployment.com/esl-articles/latin-america-esl-job-interview.htm Kind of Mexico-specific, but pertinent to everywhere.
Also see http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/articles/index.pl?noframes;read=968
Before you have the interview you will be nervous and your hands will be sweaty. No problem. Before you go, rub some anti-perspirant on your hands. You will be able to give a firm, confident and DRY handshake.
Biggest thing is self-confidence. Before you go, visualize yourself as the ace-of-the-base.
Also see http://www.careerlab.com/art_cheatsheet.htm and http://www.otal.umd.edu/%7Esies/jobquess.html
Good luck to you!

[moonraven]

If you want to be hired, ask about the needs of the company/organization/school, and don't natter on about yourself.

Employers want you to be interested in THEM.