Job Discussion Forums

[flashdan]

i've got a telephone interview for a teaching post in india. Its in a private school teaching music anf the performing arts mainly to english and british kids though there will be americans and other nationals there

i was looking for some advice as to what to expect from a interview over the phone and some hints and tips on how to put across the right inmpesion all advice greatfuly recived

also what sort of questions are must ask for when preparing to work abroad

[Gregor]

The only advice for a phone interview is to be confident, be honest, and be yourself.

This means being honest about your opinions on how things should be done. They will ask you trick questions, and if your answer is, "I don't know. It sort of depends on..." then SAY that. Believe it or not, that's probably the right answer. Also, let them know that you are nervous, if that's the case. There's nothing wrong with that. They will be ready with a phone interview. They WILL ask what they want to ask, but you will make the impression you want to make if you can disarm them and steer them away from the formality of an interview. Make it into a friendly conversation. Even TELLING them that that's what you're doing (if it comes up) is perfectly OK.
This is both the honesty and the confidence part. In doing this, you are basically telling them, "You need to hire me. I am frank and honest, and professional."
It's the attitude you want to convey. You know what you're doing, you know how to do it, you know how to work with others, and you are excited (but not anxious!) about the prospect. This phone interview is a formality, because you are the ONLY candidate for the job.
(Don't be arrogant. Just CONFIDENT is all. Don't insult them. I'm just addressing your mindset during the conversation.)

Obviously, I'm assuming that you have some knowledge of the subject matter, i.e. what you will teach and HOW you will teach it.

What should YOU ask? Well, it very much depends on what experience you have living abroad. Ideally, you can pretend to think for a moment and then ask questions like, "Oh, I don't know...how big will my flat be?" Asked in such a way that says you don't really care; that you are just asking questions because they seem to want you to do so.
THIS gives the impression that you know what you're getting into and you are not a flight risk.

However. If you really have no idea what you're getting into, then you DO want to know how far your flat will be from work, and if you will have to live with other teachers. Is there a supermarket near the flat or school? What sort of hours will you be expected to work? Will you be required to participate in extra-curricular activities?
I'm reluctant to even mention this because it's rather insulting to your common sense, but just in case - make sure you know what the SALARY will be, and if you have to pay rent out of that, how much will the RENT be?

If you decide to ask these questions, that's fine. You're still cool. They're all legitimate questions. You may be 100% chill with doing the job and living abroad, but these questions are details. You can't guess these things, even with 50 years' experience living abroad and teaching. So if you DO ask them (or anything else you care to know), ask them as though it's just a routine; a matter of course.
Talk like it's YOUR JOB already. Again, don't be arrogant, but just confident. YOUR confidence gives THEM confidence in YOU.
I have been on both sides of these interviews, and I know how to control them from either side. And I am here to tell you that it is EASIER to control them as an interviewee (like you), IF you know what to do and can do it with confidence.
Confidence is the key.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[MikeySaid]

A follow-up question to the OP's.


I speak Spanish. If I get a phone interview with a school in Latin America, should I use Spanish or English?

[Guy Courchesne]

More often than not, English. Most people doing the interviewing are other foreigners, or at least they'll speak English. The phone interview is often a tool used to gauge your accent and English abilities, especially when a non-native speaker is applying.

[MikeySaid]

[Guy Courchesne]

Yep. Just be you. I guess if they ask about your Spanish abilities, go ahead and show them, but I've never seen that to be the case.

[sheeba]

Some good tips from Gregor - someone actually in the position of actually doing these interviews. I was taken on from a phone interview and I would advise you just to use your intuition. You can tell an awful lot about someone and a position just from their speech. If something sounds shady then press for an answer. And one thing I've learnt - Get the important information in writing.

[MELEE]

[Gregor]

MELEE wrote:

[MELEE]