Job Discussion Forums

VladJR87 · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 87 Location: Moscow RU

I have my first interview next week with BKC-IH next week. Any hints, tips, or suggestions?

I am real nervous, I hate interviews and I hate talking on the phone! Time to try very hard to dump my "um" habit!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject:

Don't worry about it. More than likely, you'll have an ADOS with about 2 years' total experience. He'll be reading from a script and will just talk you through the interview stages. Be able to comment on your pre-interview task, if you did one. Have your CV in front of you. Expect a few questions about how you'd present, say, present perfect to a class that has never come across it before.

Then on to questions about why you want to come to Russia. This is where you convince them that you are not a sex-crazed loony who'll be drunk on the job all the time - can be done easily as you'll be working with more than a few sex-crazed loonies there.

No need to get worked up about it at all. If you've got to the interview stage, you are as good as hired. Unless you really screw up by ... by... Not sure how, actually. Don't think it's happened before.

Houston · Joined: 04 Apr 2010 Posts: 44

Be prepared for specific grammar questions.

I start my CELTA class with BKC Moscow on Monday, and during the interview for getting into the class they asked specific questions about grammar.

It is quite possible they won't ask you any during your interview, I am just bringing up the possibility.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:40 am Post subject:

That's true, they'll need to see how much explicit grammar you know, and a few spelling tests too. But unless you are totally unknowledgeable, you won't be turned down for scoring poorly. They just need to measure how much support you are likely to need.

Seriously, you need to be a total loser to not get the job. In all likelihood, if you stick around in any of the McSchools for a second contract, then you too will be able to be an ADOS.

Best of luck!

ComradeBL · Joined: 28 Aug 2010 Posts: 72 Location: 'stan!

While I have not worked in Russia, I do have extensive EFL interview experience (interviewer & interviewee).

The rest of the gang is right. Basically, they are checking to see that you're not a freakazoid, listening for accent (watch out if you use any kind of "ebonics" speech - the rest of world is bigoted against African-Americans; it sucks and is unjust, but it is reality), and will, most likely, ask you a few grammar questions. I'd brush up on all those parts of speech, especially the odd-ball ones never used.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

IH are notorious for paying truly awful salaries. Yes, I know it's a franchise and they're all different, but be warned.

Western Europe is really expensive for anyone from North America. Eastern Europe is even more expensive for the things you'll probably like doing.

I've worked for IH and I've lived in several countries in Eastern Europe.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Western Europe is really expensive for anyone from North America.

??? Shocked

What's this little gem got to do with anything?

VladJR87 · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 87 Location: Moscow RU

Thank you everyone! I hope I will have some time to get some studying in before my interview.

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

how was the interview?

VladJR87 · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 87 Location: Moscow RU

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

@VladJR87, please refer to my post on another thread. Flip it.

PS Have to hand a crib sheet of grammar notes on main areas (form and function etc) and print out a page of commonly misspelled words. It would be embarrassing to get caught out on one of those.

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

good luck with your interview!

let us know how at goes!

oh, and take Larry David's advice.

VladJR87 · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 87 Location: Moscow RU

OK I should be prepared here. I have every possible piece of reasonable paper available (should be nothing so complicated I get lost in it!), two headsets for my cell phone, etc. Good thing I called Verizon tonight because not only would my call have cost me something like $70, but it actually would not have been possible. I switched on the $4 international plan, which should bring the call down to a much more reasonable $15 or so Smile

. Here's hoping my phone lasts long enough now.

I screwed up on the time conversion/brain farted and scheduled it for noon tomorrow (option 4) instead of 8pm (option 5). Luckily I can take the hour long break during work!

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

Vlad, correct me if I've misunderstood but are you saying that you are paying for the telephone interview? How does that work exactly?

The employer covers interview expenses.

Surely they're calling you (via Skype)?

This seems like a Moscow langauge school through and through. If you don't say anything about it, they'll happily take advantage. I'd insist on any expenses being reimbursed.