Job Discussion Forums

[tagastelum]

Hello everyone.

I've been sorting through the piles and files in my office and I came across this list of interview questions which I was given several years ago during my CELTA course. I wish I would've remembered to ask some of these before accepting some of the jobs I've held here in Mexico!

Admittedly, it's an abridged list, but I still think that many of the questions could help any of us who are currently looking for a new job. I do hope that some of you -- especially the newbies -- will find this information useful.

� Do you have a staffroom? Is space provided in the staffroom for lesson preparation?
� What kind of resources do the staff have in the staffroom?
� Does each classroom have a tape recorder? TV? DVD? projector?
� How many students are there in an average class?
� Which are the main coursebooks used at elementary and intermediate levels? Are a variety of books available for each level?
� Are teachers encouraged to use supplementary materials or bring in their own?
� Is somebody available at the school to assist with any teaching difficulties I might have or to advise on materials to use etc? (In other words, is there a Director of Studies?)
� At what time of day/week will I be doing my main body of teaching? (mornings? afternoons? evenings? Saturdays? Sundays?)
� How old are the students generally? (Adults? Children? Teenagers? Senior citizens?)
� How many teachers are in the school? Full time? Part time?
� Will I be doing most of my teaching in the school? Will I also have to teach at company offices?
� If I have to travel to companies to teach, will my travel expenses be paid for by the school? How much? Will these companies be accessible by public transportation? How far from the school are they located?
� How accessible is the school by public transportation? If I drive my own car, is parking readily available?
� Do you offer any free tuition to me as an employee of the school? (For example, If I want to learn the language of the country where the school is located.)
� Will I have to submit weekly lesson plans? Are lesson plans developed individually or collaboratively?
� Is there a photocopier? Is there unlimited access to it for teachers? Any other limitations?
� Are basic supplies such as chalk, dry erase markers, poster paper, transparencies provided by the school?
� How often are salaries paid? Weekly? Monthly? How much tax is deducted? Will I be able to apply for a tax refund?
� Is there any paid vacation time? Are there any particular times of the year that vacations have to be taken? Is the school open over Christmas/Easter?
� Does the school pay for teachers to attend training/continuing education sessions?
� Are there any teacher training opportunities within the school? Are there regular staff meetings?
� Do the teachers receive feedback from the students? How is this done?
� Is there a contract? For how many hours?
� Do I have any type of medical insurance or other benefits?
� How much notice do I have to give if I want to leave before the end of the contract? What conditions might apply?
� Is my flight to and from my home country paid for by the employer?
� What kind of assistance is offered with regard to finding accommodation? Is there any financial assistance with accommodation?
� What kinds of administrative tasks will I be expected to do in the school when I�m not teaching?
� What time does the school open in the morning and close in the evening?
� What dress code does the school have for teaching at the school or at a company?
� Do teachers play a role in the social program of the school? Are they expected to accompany social activities and excursions? Are these activities on paid or unpaid time?

Good luck on your jobhunt!

[ls650]

How many of those questions would you recommend asking the potential employer? It's very good to ask a few questions - but on the other hand, if I were an employer and an interviewee starting giving me the third degree, after about half a dozen of those questions I'd probably say "Thank you. Next!"

[melirae]

I think this is a good list to look through and decide what things are most important to you as an employee and ask a few of those. A lot of these questions will answer themselves through the job ad or as the potential employer is telling you about the position. I never can think of questions to ask at interviews so having this list to ponder before the interview is really nice!

I attended a CV workshop and one of the factors that could negatively affect hiring was the interviewee NOT asking questions. Another point mentioned was that people who do the interviewing might not be used to doing interviews, so having thought about these type of questions beforehand can help you steer the interview in a more positive direction if it seems to be flailing a bit.