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KarenMarie
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 60
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 Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 5:44 pm Post subject: Important questions to ask during a job interview? |
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I'm new to this. What do I actually want to know about a school before accepting a teaching position? I haven't held a teaching job before, so I am not sure what I need to know.
Basically, I just want to work for a school that treats their teachers fairly. I can deal with pretty much anything as long as I feel my employer is doing it for the right reasons.
Yes. I'm naive. I know.  |
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KarenMarie
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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I'm just going to brainstorm here. Help me if you can.
Here's what I would say if I didn't care about offending the interviewer and could expect honest answers:
1. Am I going to learn how to be a good teacher here? Are you concerned with providing your students with quality education above all else? Or do you just want to entertain them and take their money?
How concerned are you with helping me develop my skills as a teacher? Will you be receptive when I come to you for advice? Will you take the time to explain to me how I should deal with specific problems for the sake of helping me help your students? If you're going to throw me in a classroom, say "sink or swim", and yell at me for being incompetent when I come to you for advice: please, tell me now.
2. Are you, or any other school personnel, going to try to date me? Will I be penalized, or made to feel uncomfortable, for having a personal policy of NEVER dating my co-workers?
3. Are you rational? Can I trust you? Are you going to take advantage of my inexperience and naivete? Do you treat your employees with respect?
4. Money/benefits: I expect that my living accomodations will be cold, cramped, inconveniently located, and equipped with a toilet I don't understand. I expect that I won't be able to save any money at all, and that shopping for pleasure will be a thing of the past. This is okay. However: are there any expenses you are hiding from me? Please, no nasty surprises.
5. What do you want from me? REALLY. Just tell me up front, so if I don't think I can fulfill your expectations, I can tell you so. Please don't set me up for a year of misery. Be honest.
Please advise me. |
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guest of Japan
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 1601
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 12:21 am Post subject: |
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First of all don't ask those questions. Let me see if I can make them more appropriate.
1. What kind or training and support to teachers do you give to insure that the students get the highest level of teaching possible?
2. Don't ask this. Sexual harassment is taken very seriously in Japan. That's not to say that there isn't romance in the office, but rather uncomfortable situations are dealt with quickly.
3. Could you please give me an overview of the responsibilities for teachers in your school. After you have been offered the job then you may wish to ask to contact a teacher currently working for them.
4. This one is silly. If your salary is over 250,000 yen then your lifestyle will be more than adequate. You can even go shopping. I'm quite sure your apartment will be better than you are imagining now too.
5. Could you tell me a bit about the school and my duties there. How many classes a week will I teach? How long are the classes? How many students are in the classes? How would you describe the curriculum? What are the English levels of the students? Are the classes grouped by ability? Am I responsible for evaluating the students' English ability? If I am teaching small children will the parents be in the classroom as well? How would you define an effective teacher in your school? What kind of support can I expect as I acclimate myself to living in Japan?
I hope these help. |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 12:37 am Post subject: |
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KarenMarie, see my post on the main board in response to this.
In addition and following guest's excellent post, I'd suggest following his advice in making your questions very very specific. Rather than open ended ones, ask ones that can be answered with one or two words.
This is where the "rational" stuff comes in. The more open-ended your qeustion is in Japan, the more likely you will get a completely fuzzy answer. Japanese people do not read between the lines the same way we do. You may say something like "What about payment." and you mean "When do I work?" and they simply reply "Monday to Friday." Then, after you have taken the job and when you are constantly being asked to help with "parties" at the weekend, you complain that they said you would only work Monday to Friday. Then you are aghast when they say that parties are not work - they are fun and everyone is expected to help.
You see, you meant to ask "Will I be required to do anything besides teaching for the school at the weekend?" and they thought you meant "When will I teach." Different definitions of the word "work" and different expectations about company loyalty and time boundaries.
It's all perfectly rational you know  |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 3:16 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
1. Am I going to learn how to be a good teacher here? Are you concerned with providing your students with quality education above all else? Or do you just want to entertain them and take their money?
How concerned are you with helping me develop my skills as a teacher? Will you be receptive when I come to you for advice? Will you take the time to explain to me how I should deal with specific problems for the sake of helping me help your students? If you're going to throw me in a classroom, say "sink or swim", and yell at me for being incompetent when I come to you for advice: please, tell me now. |
Answer you should expect...
We hire only good teachers. We have an excellent training program. We care about our students, but we are also a business.
What kind of advice do you need? What kind of problems? We have an excellent training program.
[Reviewer puts several black marks on his note paper, indicating this is not the type of teacher we want. Too needy. Not independent enough.
| Quote: |
| 2. Are you, or any other school personnel, going to try to date me? Will I be penalized, or made to feel uncomfortable, for having a personal policy of NEVER dating my co-workers? |
Answer to expect...
(stunned look...) We have a non-dating policy here with staff and students.
[More black marks for such a forward series of questions...]
| Quote: |
| 3. Are you rational? Can I trust you? Are you going to take advantage of my inexperience and naivete? Do you treat your employees with respect? |
Answer to expect...
I'm sorry. I don't understand this question.
| Quote: |
| 4. Money/benefits: I expect that my living accomodations will be cold, cramped, inconveniently located, and equipped with a toilet I don't understand. I expect that I won't be able to save any money at all, and that shopping for pleasure will be a thing of the past. This is okay. However: are there any expenses you are hiding from me? Please, no nasty surprises. |
Answer to expect...
Our previous teachers have lived in the school-provided housing for years. Nobody has complained. Japan-style living is different from your home country, so please bear this in mind. (You don't understand toilets?) You have to pay rent, utilities, and phone. These will come out of your bank account automatically, so this is convenient to you. (Or you can pay your utilities & phone at 7-Eleven, if you like.) You can buy whatever you like in your free time. We have an excellent training pamphlet to show you the apartment and neighborhood...
[Black marks changing to red at the insolence of such questions... Sweat beginning to trickle down the temple... How much longer is this interview?]
| Quote: |
| 5. What do you want from me? REALLY. Just tell me up front, so if I don't think I can fulfill your expectations, I can tell you so. Please don't set me up for a year of misery. Be honest. |
Answer to expect...
We want you to teach English conversation. We have an excellent training program to teach you our format. Why are you miserable? Don't you like Japan?
[Final red marks in kanji indicating not to hire this person. Smile and politely show this person the door. Wipe brow with neatly folded handkerchief, drink some green tea, make a few comments to the rest of the Japanese staff, and hope the next person doesn't ask any questions.] |
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KarenMarie
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 7:40 am Post subject: |
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| guest of Japan wrote: |
First of all don't ask those questions. Let me see if I can make them more appropriate.
1. What kind or training and support to teachers do you give to insure that the students get the highest level of teaching possible?
2. Don't ask this. Sexual harassment is taken very seriously in Japan. That's not to say that there isn't romance in the office, but rather uncomfortable situations are dealt with quickly.
3. Could you please give me an overview of the responsibilities for teachers in your school. After you have been offered the job then you may wish to ask to contact a teacher currently working for them.
4. This one is silly. If your salary is over 250,000 yen then your lifestyle will be more than adequate. You can even go shopping. I'm quite sure your apartment will be better than you are imagining now too.
5. Could you tell me a bit about the school and my duties there. How many classes a week will I teach? How long are the classes? How many students are in the classes? How would you describe the curriculum? What are the English levels of the students? Are the classes grouped by ability? Am I responsible for evaluating the students' English ability? If I am teaching small children will the parents be in the classroom as well? How would you define an effective teacher in your school? What kind of support can I expect as I acclimate myself to living in Japan?
I hope these help. |
They help immensely. Thank you very much.  |
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KarenMarie
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 7:41 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
1. Am I going to learn how to be a good teacher here? Are you concerned with providing your students with quality education above all else? Or do you just want to entertain them and take their money?
How concerned are you with helping me develop my skills as a teacher? Will you be receptive when I come to you for advice? Will you take the time to explain to me how I should deal with specific problems for the sake of helping me help your students? If you're going to throw me in a classroom, say "sink or swim", and yell at me for being incompetent when I come to you for advice: please, tell me now. |
Answer you should expect...
We hire only good teachers. We have an excellent training program. We care about our students, but we are also a business.
What kind of advice do you need? What kind of problems? We have an excellent training program.
[Reviewer puts several black marks on his note paper, indicating this is not the type of teacher we want. Too needy. Not independent enough.
| Quote: |
| 2. Are you, or any other school personnel, going to try to date me? Will I be penalized, or made to feel uncomfortable, for having a personal policy of NEVER dating my co-workers? |
Answer to expect...
(stunned look...) We have a non-dating policy here with staff and students.
[More black marks for such a forward series of questions...]
| Quote: |
| 3. Are you rational? Can I trust you? Are you going to take advantage of my inexperience and naivete? Do you treat your employees with respect? |
Answer to expect...
I'm sorry. I don't understand this question.
| Quote: |
| 4. Money/benefits: I expect that my living accomodations will be cold, cramped, inconveniently located, and equipped with a toilet I don't understand. I expect that I won't be able to save any money at all, and that shopping for pleasure will be a thing of the past. This is okay. However: are there any expenses you are hiding from me? Please, no nasty surprises. |
Answer to expect...
Our previous teachers have lived in the school-provided housing for years. Nobody has complained. Japan-style living is different from your home country, so please bear this in mind. (You don't understand toilets?) You have to pay rent, utilities, and phone. These will come out of your bank account automatically, so this is convenient to you. (Or you can pay your utilities & phone at 7-Eleven, if you like.) You can buy whatever you like in your free time. We have an excellent training pamphlet to show you the apartment and neighborhood...
[Black marks changing to red at the insolence of such questions... Sweat beginning to trickle down the temple... How much longer is this interview?]
| Quote: |
| 5. What do you want from me? REALLY. Just tell me up front, so if I don't think I can fulfill your expectations, I can tell you so. Please don't set me up for a year of misery. Be honest. |
Answer to expect...
We want you to teach English conversation. We have an excellent training program to teach you our format. Why are you miserable? Don't you like Japan?
[Final red marks in kanji indicating not to hire this person. Smile and politely show this person the door. Wipe brow with neatly folded handkerchief, drink some green tea, make a few comments to the rest of the Japanese staff, and hope the next person doesn't ask any questions.] |
I do enjoy your sense of humor Glenski. Thanks.  |
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KarenMarie
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 7:52 am Post subject: |
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| guest of Japan wrote: |
2. Don't ask this. Sexual harassment is taken very seriously in Japan. That's not to say that there isn't romance in the office, but rather uncomfortable situations are dealt with quickly.
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Can you elaborate on this a bit? Sexual harassment makes me want to eat tubs of butter with a spoon until I get so fat a man can't even think about having sex with me without getting ill.  |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 9:20 am Post subject: |
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| Basically, people are people. It happens all over the world. Whereas in the Middle East you wouldn't have a leg to stand on if you suffered this and complained, if you suffered it here (and you are likely too as much as anywhere else) your complaints will be heard seriously and dealt with very swiftly and thoroughly. Therefore, you are not likely to suffer this kind of abuse. Rather, you are liketly to have more subtle forms of this such as people asking if to talk to you at the station and asking you your phone number. Sure, not direct sexual harrassment but a bain in the putt. |
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guest of Japan
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 1601
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 9:49 am Post subject: |
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| Please accept shmooj's answer as my own. |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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| guest of Japan wrote: |
| Please accept shmooj's answer as my own. |
Actually, how about if I just change my screen name to Shmooj, Guest of Japan and save you some time
Nice to know I've learned something after 6 years here though... thanks |
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KarenMarie
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Shmooj and Guest.
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 10:00 pm Post subject: sexual harassment |
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| KarenMarie wrote: |
Can you elaborate on this a bit? Sexual harassment makes me want to eat tubs of butter with a spoon until I get so fat a man can't even think about having sex with me without getting ill. |
Better yet, why not let fat men pour tubs of butter on you and eat it up with a spoon
At first I was LOL after reading this, but after a few moments I realised that you might actually be serious?
If you're that concerned about being sexually harassed, why not lock yourself up in your house, never go out (even to the market), and never even consider going to Japan (or anywhere else for that matter).
Yes sexual harassment is an issue in every country, and I've never been to Japan, but the most sensible answer is this: It can happen anywhere, and at anytime.
But then, so can getting mugged. Or getting into a car accident. Or (fill in the blank with another situation). But you don't avoid driving just because there's a chance you might get into an accident, right?
You're from an English speaking country, yes? I doubt that Japan is more unsafe than where you're coming from....and if you don't worry about it at home, why worry about it in Japan?
I don't wish to make fun of a serious issue, but I'm sure most men would love to be sexually harassed by women.
Better yet, imagine the look on a policeman's face if a man told him he'd been sexually harassed by a woman! Classic !
I know there's going to be loads of hate mail directed toward me after this message but I hope some of you out there can find some humour in this.
cheers |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 2:19 am Post subject: |
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Just when you thought it was safe...
Avahanian's back everyone...  |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 7:18 am Post subject: |
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| shmooj wrote: |
Just when you thought it was safe...
Avahanian's back everyone... |
Thanks mate, it feels great to get an introduction 
I return whenever things get too serious in here....
It's so good to be back  |
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