Job Discussion Forums

[pate]

Recently I was put through a rather rigorous application and interview process for a chain ESL school for a position supposedly located in a major city in Turkey. During this rather lengthy process (3 weeks!) 2 weeks before the start date, the school suddenly only had vacancies in an industrial landlocked town reknowned for lack of activities/cool hangouts and for it's industrial economy (pollution and car factory).

The thing is I am a very qualified instructor, with a certificate, lots of international and teaching experience, as well as a keen language ability. It was suprising to me that an offer wasn't extended immediately (as other schools had). During this time I luckily entertained offers from other top choices of schools where I would like to teach.

The Tactic: While the chain school continues recruiting and waylaying a decision (i.e. extending an offer of employment) until the last minute, they corner their market hoping you'll take an undesirable school in their chain as an "in" to their major city school in the future; or because you have been banking on your investment of references, interviews, and time waiting while believing it was going to happen (making you desperate so close to the start date you just might take the lowsy location).

Lesson learned: don't take a school's interest seriously until an offer is on the table (i.e. contract), keep your options open and apply elsewhere so if one thing doesn't work out - you have another good choice! I cannot say for sure whether this school's recruiter intentionally used this tactic, but the sudden lack of vacancies for the hip location they advertized and an offer in an unlikely (and apparently undesirable) town is suspect. And maybe some things too good to be true, just are.

By the way, Turkey seems to really need ESL instructors, so play this card if you can. Lots of opportunities to teach privately, you just have to leave every 3 months to renew your visa. Going rate for private lessons in Sofia Mosque City: 20 USD/hour. Big expat support network, but competiation too...it's all ying/yang Namaste!

[yaramaz]

Is it Bursa? If it is, it doesn't sound so bad. It has car factories but it's a lot greener and calmer than the Big City. I'd be happy to live there if I wasn't so established in Istanbul.

20usd is selling yourself short for private lessons. I get more than that as basic overtime on my salary here. Aim higher!

[william wallace]

Been in ESL for 15 years, nothing surprises me. Just because a school may require high standards, does not mean it applies them.