Job Discussion Forums

[studmuffin]

Just to let other interviewees know, an interview does not necessarily mean a job. I flew thousands of miles to attend a job interview in Hong Kong recently, at my own expense. I thought the interview went well, but about a week later, I got an email that I was not selected. I was very surprised and disappointed. Therefore, if you plan to pay for a ticket to an interview, it 's no guarantee that you have the job.

[Horizontal Hero]

Bad luck, I'm sure you are quite disappointed. Any word as to why they don't want you? Is the rejection permanent (like, we don't want you now or ever) or just a temporary rejection (we'll contact you if anything comes up)?

[Zero Hero]

Bad news, good luck for the future, but when does an interview ever mean a job?

[prplfairy]

I think people get the idea, reasonably enough, that if the EMB has accepted them into the program and is telling them to go interview that the interview is a mere formality, as in, "let's make sure we haven't got a total nut or some green haired pierced up guy". I don't doubt that there is some fine print somewhere to exonerate the EMB and the scheme but really what option does someone have when they have put their life on hold because they've been told they are moving to Hong Kong for a job and then told to go interview? You probably go and think you're well on your way. I think the OP could have been more cautious by getting some clarification but it is a lousy way for the EMB to run the system. Considering all the paperwork they have on people as well as the ease of using a phone for an interview, it seems unreasonable to make some one fly around the globe at their own cost for one interview.

[Alec]

Hi all,

Some excellent comments from prplfairy on this, and sympathy SM in not getting it.

I'm in the same position in regard an interview, I have just been sent an e-mail for the last day of May (hoping for a lot earlier than that) and it will be the same for me in regard flying expenses, accommodation and having put everything else on hold. Starting to wonder if it's worth it.

I quit my Primary teaching job in March (Thailand) and after visiting family for a month started looking for something in Hong Kong. There has certainly been a Canadian recruitment agency advertising (I persume) on behalf of EMB for sometime and they have lowered the requirements in the recent ad. Which may point to a real panic for teachers and a lack of available or interested teachers with the high requirements they initially wanted. I have been given a contact number for questions which I think I'm going to use now.

EMB requested a fairly heavy list of certificates etc for the initial selection faxed them,and now I have pretty much the same requirements for a face to face interview.

I have 1 years experience at primary level and BA (non language)
I have still been given an interview. Any comments by Primary NET teachers would be appreciated.

I take on board the point an interview never means you neccessarily walk into any job, but these jobs are not local bus rides for local people in local home town communities in the majority of cases either are they? So a little more pre-interview selection efforts might be in order at EMB????



Alec

[once again]

[Alec]

Hi Once again,

I first saw the advertisement for this job about 3 months ago, where the tone of the add was very no-nonsense.................' we want a number of qualified teachers with PGDE certification, experience teaching children etc etc'. So the qualification requirements ruled me out.

Although it was an agency, I knew there must have been a tie-up somewhere with EMB because the ad was identical to the EMB website patter and I mean identical (word for word).

However, I glanced at it again only 2 weeks ago or so somewhere and noticed that everything was the same bar Preferred that was added to just about every requirement, plus the fact another poster (who is in PNET) has informed me they had a huge shortage in the positions for primary school ELT's starting in May.

I'm just starting to wonder if this has filtered through to the jolly decent folk holding the interviews at EMB or not yet? At a guess probably not!!!

Sorry for not being of more help.

I see you posted elsewhere once again on teaching the kids at this level pertaining to banding etc. Could you tell me a little more about there ability compared to the rest of Asia? I read numerous comments on it being higher, but how much higher? And what elementary grades do you teach in PNET, how many hours a week do you get one class etc? Anything to gain more of an insight into there system really.

Many thanks


Alec

[islanddreamer]

The requirements for the NET scheme have changed. Two years ago, you needed a BA and either a PGCE or CELTA. Then they decided that everyone should have a PGCE and a CELTA. Then they had some problems recruiting due to bad press and generally a lack of cohesion/organisation. You've all heard about the lottery of whether NETs are assigned a 'good' school or a 'bad' school. They also reduced the housing allowance by $3,000 and the exchange rate is not good for expats in HK any more.

So now they have divided up the level of qualifications into four categories - Category 1 being degree-holders (in English) with a PGCE and TEFL, going down to Category 5 (non-degree holders, I think). If they can't find enough Category Ones then they go to Category Two and keep going down until they've filled all the positions. Hope that helps, and I hope I've got that right.

[Alec]

thank you Island dreamer,

that has given me a little more understanding of it all!


Alec