Job Discussion Forums

[ancient_dweller]

I was trying to find teaching work in Moscow, and naturally I sent my CV to every email address I found. Some replied, some didn't.

Occasionally people invited me to an interview. One of those companies being 'Smart School' in Chisti Prudi. So i got an invitation for an interview from Elina Zinchenko. Seemed pretty serious and genuine.

Ok, great. So I gave a call, arranged an interview. Elina was on holiday so it would be 'Natalya' who would interview me... all good. I gave a call, arranged the interview. 'Next day' she said, absolutely brilliant!

Struggling to find the school, i figured, i'll give a quick buzz to reception... (there was a sign on the pavement outside, but the arrow faced away from the gated entrance thus confusing me)

I said 'it's such and such for an interview with Natalya'. The receptionist did not really understand me but was able to say she knew nothing about my interview and that Natalya was not there, then PUT THE PHONE DOWN!! ok, so i'm thinking it's Russia, that's normal, she means well...

anyway, still unable to locate their office I called again, this time using my pigeon russian to establish that i have arranged an interview and was told that i should go through the gates that the sign points me away from!! aha! found it! i chuckled at this sign and arrow confusion and headed on in...

so, i am in, and the all smiles receptionist tells me Natalya is not there and she herself knows nothing about my interview... i politely said... 'could you call Natalya?' she agreed, but not before taking me to the kitchen to sit and wait, 'help yourself to coffee...' thanks. (i'm thinking Elina Zinchenko of Smart School thank you very much)

so i'm twiddling my thumbs in the kitchen waiting (i didn't make myself a coffee)... 10 minutes passed, then 20, then 30, then 40 minutes after i was supposed to have my interview the receptionist comes and informs me that Natalya has arrived! FANTASTIC! all smiles... we should get down to business.

i am taken to her office and seat myself.

'so, tell me about yourself, what's your name?' (yes, she did not know m name)

'sorry, i haven't seen your CV' (yes, i was invited to an interview by someone who had not seen my CV)

'do you have Celta?' Answer: 'No, but i do have...'

'so we can't offer you anything'

after diplomatically apologising for her mis-understanding. i said thankyou very much and we parted ways. HMMMM...

great! so this was a complete waste of time. i have reflected briefly on the farcical nature of this brief encounter.

i didn't expect there to be a fanfare, but an interview is an interview. most notable thing about this school was the utter disrespect. granted, i didn't possess a celta. but neither did i pretend to. plus, they invited me, after seeing my CV!!

Just avoid this joke of a company.

i would be interested to hear opinions from people who have had interviews from them, was it the same? or better still, what is it like working there? i pity the employees who have to suffer the unsatisfactory people skills possessed by the management there... and even more sorry for the students.. yikes!

[maruss]

I could write a book about my experiences in Moscow with a whole chapter on the various 'language schools' I contacted and went to interviews with!Some were just a joke,like this one you have posted about and had no organisation,structure or even a decent office......I got given the brush-off,the come-on(by a gorgeous woman in her late 30's who made it clear that she expected me to 'generally do what was needed by her' but refused to discuss any salary or hours,saying we could agree on that after the first month!!)Of course there are some serious outfits run by people who know what they are doing and they will grill you accordingly!One prospective employer,whose name suggests something bright and summery plus, is notorious for trying to get her expat teachers married to Russian women.She asked me to do a demo class,observed by her gay ex-pat DOS who took a dislike to me and tore me to shreds so she wouldn't take me on-just as well when I heard more about the firm!But she did kindly recommend some other employers,one of whom gave me some hours with very good results, so be prepared for the silver lining to the darkest cloud!
Having to admit that you have no CELTA or equivalent is not a help though and may lose you a lot of interviews so play this down and emphasise what you can offer instead....

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Unfortunately, ancient, not one bit of your story surprises me in the least. Actually, I was kind of expecting that 'Natalya' wouldn't show up at all, having gone on holiday or something of the sort...
Anyway, your story is why so many on here have recommended the "McSchools" for those wanting to break into the Russian market. The smaller schools are, by and large, run by people who have few organizational or managerial skills (neither of which are in abundance here in Russia), and are simply trying to make some cash--hopefully quickly and easily. Most smaller school operators have no idea how to deal with foreigners (most Russians wouldn't even get why this story is a big deal), and act accordingly.
Best of luck to you in your continued search.

[ancient_dweller]

well, i took the experience with good humour, at the end of the day nobody got hurt. I don't think Elina Zinchenko of Smart School чистые пруды is not too worried.

[Sashadroogie]

Welcome to Moscow. Everything Jeff has said is right. Expect more of this as you get more interviews.

By and large, even if you do get a 'proper' interview, you'll still be surprised at the absurdness of the questions, the lack of structure or progression in the whole process. Most importantly, there is rarely stated a firm commitment to a starting date, so don't expect them to call you back in a couple of days with info on your new classes. They aren't that organised.

Good luck.

[ancient_dweller]

well, ye, although some were alright.

thing that most surprises me here is how they ask for photos for jobs - since when does somebody's appearance have an impact on their ability to teach? the best teacher i had at school looked like she had been hit in the face with a shovel. maybe that's what they are looking for.

another one that concerns me is 'are you married?' - fairly popular i might add. only language link cared to tell me why they ask that question. apparently because wives complain about working hours... hmmm. interesting generalisation.

best interview i had was structured and focused on my abilities, how i would approach certain situations and so on...

but ye, i agree, nobody ever tells you anything exactly. it's all wish wash, maybe, perhaps, probably...

it works though, right?

[Sashadroogie]

Something will turn up eventually, as Micawber has it. But that's the problem - when? How long can you hang about for them to get a class for you? I still get calls from places that interviewed me years ago to tell me they have a class ready for me, as though the interview was last week.

The photo thing - never had that, except for visa processing. Unless you mean for a CV prior to the interview. They are checking you are white. In any case, don't let them stick it on a website.

The 'married' question is more to do with local wives knowing your legal rights, I'd guess.

[Sashadroogie]

Hah ha! Just looked at Smart School's website. Though most of the links are not working, the few that do are revealing. They'll teach students to think in English, apparently. Not all their staff have CELTAs either. There's one dude who seems to be a disbarred legal chap.

Probably best avoided.

[ancient_dweller]

i don't know if they are running a shoddy shop, i never worked there, i just wanted to share my interview experience so that if people go for an interview, take a copy of your CV with you so that they can read your name and CV and save some red faces.

this is the worst i've had though. most people are at least polite and respectful. in actual fact, Natalya did most of the talking in the so called interview. seems like a disraeli quote is in order, she might be said to be inebriated with the exuberance of his ('her' in this case) own verbosity, and gifted with an egotistical imagination. Brilliant.

[maruss]

As Sasha suggested,it seems that many Russians firms just interview people to have a list of prospective teachers they think they can call on if and when they need them!I soon worked this out and a co-ordinator at one firm where I had some hours warned me about it too.Just because they advertise vacancies or ask you to send a C.V. this does not mean they have any work available,as we would naturally presume......
You can waste a lot of time waiting for pie in the sky-and go through your money- if you are unaware of this annoying aspect of Russian employers culture!

[Sashadroogie]

Very true that.