Job Discussion Forums

rico4444 · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 90 Location: Thailand

I have already secured a job in VN beginning in June, but I'd much prefer to work at RMIT. They've posted twice on eslcafe in the past 4-6 weeks and I've applied both times. I got an acknowledgement once, nothing the 2nd time, but no job offer either time. I've got almost 8 years ESL experience in America, Thailand, and Korea, + CELTA, plus years of teaching prior to that in publice and private schools. I'm a little surprised I haven't received a positive response. Any thoughts? Could it be......

1) excessive competition (i.e. it's a numbers game)
2) my age (57)

????

I'd love to get some feedback on this and am also wondering if I should just knock on their door when I get there.

Opinions? Advice?

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

Nope I think they do reply to the 'right' candidate but everyone else doesn't get a sniff.

I was fresh from CELTA and I didn't even get an acknowledgement so you can hold your head up high there.

I know someone recently who did get an offer though...

rico4444 · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 90 Location: Thailand

So who do you think is the "right" candidate? Does anyone out there know RMIT well enough to know or suggest what kind of teacher they're looking for? Do they factor in experience, age, ????

saigon cowboy · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 84

I knew an applicant at RMIT who has had experience in Vietnam , is 27 years old and he didn't get hired.

I don't think age is the factor.

I work at private language schools and have had a few RMIT students who complain about the quality of english teachers there and told me they don't learn english as well at RMIT and opt for the private schools even though it's costing them additional time and money.

What is going on at RMIT Question

Green Acres · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 260

I have heard that they are like ILA now, in that they want to hire teachers from outside the country. None of the urban professionals will do (they've already eaten them and spit them out!). This should be a big red flag since their hiring practices are circumspect. Some people get on well there, some people don't. Same story, different place....If they give you a year contract, then this would be alright, I suppose.

Green Acres · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 260

I have heard that they are like ILA now, in that they want to hire teachers from outside the country. None of the urban professionals will do (they've already eaten them and spit them out!). This should be a big red flag since their hiring practices are circumspect. Some people get on well there, some people don't. Same story, different place....If they give you a year contract, then this would be alright, I suppose.

Green Acres · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 260

I have heard that they are like ILA now, in that they want to hire teachers from outside the country. None of the urban professionals will do (they've already eaten them and spit them out!). This should be a big red flag since their hiring practices are circumspect. Some people get on well there, some people don't. Same story, different place....If they give you a year contract, then this would be alright, I suppose.

Magic8ball · Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 27 Location: HCMC

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: What's the problem at RMIT??

rico4444 · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 90 Location: Thailand

Sorry I failed to mention the degree AND the teaching certificate.....so I didn't even get a reply despite those qualifications (degree, teaching cert., and CELTA) and a little over 7 years experience. Maybe the lack of an MA was a factor.....maybe my age......who knows? I would have thought my resume would have been strong enough to at least warrant a response or an interview but I guess not. Oh well......life is full of surprises. Time to move on.....

Green Acres · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 260

You are probably better off anyway....though some people do like to work in factories, I'm told.

SCHUBERT · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 71

Apparently the olde dear (Director, RMIT) used to take her joy in offering then withdrawing offers of employment to Male teachers. Not sure the reason; one who knew her better than I, mentioned that she was long overdue being shipped back to Aussieland. We all reach our sell-by date i guess ..

Texas_blu · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 108 Location: HCMC, VN

RMIT is still one of the most respected schools in VN. They have an above-average reputation for working with teachers and their pay scale has been fairly high.

It's been a long time since I've worked for them but most of the teachers that I've known from there (including myself) either applied at the front door or was referred by another teacher. Mine was the latter.

Have you tried calling them?

hawlermonkey · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 34

RMIT is fine I know some excellent teachers who have worked there for over 6 years. Jan the DOS is a very nice woman. She hired me once upon a time when she was DOS of ACET (an excellent place to work). I think she maybe guilty of hiring on gut feeling rather than solely on qualifications - and tends to get it right on the whole. Quality of teaching is much better (and the happiness of the staff too) at RMIT than most places in Saudi and the Middle East where most teachers have MA TESOL - qualifications do not guarantee quality teaching. If only I could get paid a nice tax-free salary in VN.

YAMARI · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 247 Location: shanghai

I find it funny that my degree is from the real RMIT in Melbourne and I don't even get a sniff from them. R.M.I.T in Aus is a degree mill. I think of it as a business rather than a university. They sure do need to advertise a lot which is not a good sign.