Job Discussion Forums

[spark3000usa]

As the title suggests, I've got a telephone interview with Footprints for a public school job in Korea. So do any of you guys have advice for this first timer to telephone interviews? I know I've got to do a lot of background reading etc. but were there any questions that caught you off guard?

Thanks!

Spark.

[Justin Trullinger]

You�ll want to get this up on the Korea specific forum. Separate registration required- I�m sure it will get locked here, since Korea related questions aren�t permitted here.

In general, for a first interview, though- I�d say be yourself and try to be professional. They aren�t looking for experienced teachers anyway in this case, but follow your instincts, be thoughtful and polite, and try to sound pleasant and professional. That�s all.

Best,
Justin

[Glenski]

It's like any other interview, except that neither of you can see the body language or face of the other person.

Want to feel like you're actually interviewing? Wear a suit!

Smile when you talk. It'll will show in your voice.

[mimi_intheworld]

I was hired after a phone interview to teach at a school in the UK in 2008. Agree with Glenski - smile when you talk, dress like you would for a face-to-face interview. BE PREPARED. Plan ahead how you will answer questions about your theory of education, solving major issues in classroom management, what your goals are in teaching (in Korea, I think you said), etc. My interviewer sent me a list of questions that would be asked in the phone interview. I'll see if I can find them; they're good questions to have answers for regardless of what your interviewer asks you.

[denise]

Keep notes (from the research that you will do before the interview!) with you. If possible--if you're at home w/internet access--have their webpage open in front of you.

And be aware of the time difference and the potential it can cause for confusion. I've had schools call me an hour early, an hour late, etc. Make sure you're home & ready! (One guy called me at 3am and I literally fell out of bed when the phone rang... but that was only after he missed our first two scheduled times, so I kinda had a bad impression of his school by then anyway.)

d

[naturegirl321]

Stand up and talk in front of the mirror. Or at least stand up. YOur voice will project more confidence that way than if you were lounging on your sofa.