Job Discussion Forums

[eslteach]

Four of the job "offers" I have gotten from universities this past week were in emails from recruiters asking me to call Director XYZ to have an interview. I have been doing ESL in asia for 4 years now and this is the first time I have seen anything like this. Every other time, they have called me. The emails basically said "the Director is interested in you and wants to talk to you more about the job. Please call for an interview."

I will say here that this bothers me and I expect that this is a trend that will probably become more common in the future. I am sure some of you will think this is making a mountain out of a mole hill but I dont really think that is what's happening here. I think these initial calls are a way of establishing a subservient relationship, where I am "asking" them for work even though I am probably more qualified than their other options.

I did call one of these places today and it seems that my suspicions were confirmed. I asked to speak to the person and he immediately knew who I was (he said my full name) but after the basic introduction he asked me why I was calling.

Now, I can only see 2 possible reasons for this:

1) He genuinely didnt know why I was calling and is completely retarded. (what, im calling to arrange a dinner date?)

or

2) He wants to make it very clear that I am the one asking for work, even though there are plenty of other universities out there and I really did nothing to specifically seek out this university. Maybe it should also be said that this is literally my lowest available contract offer in terms of salary.

_________

This does bother me a lot because it seems to be a burgeoning trend and I think its just another example of how delusional these people are.

Anyone disagree? Id love to be wrong about this.

[mat chen]

You got it with the s word. This is the world you live in and a teacher in a flourishing acconomy is just a brick in the wall.

[frenchfrydoggy]

Talk about over-reacting and over-evaluating...

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I think it's possible you nailed it on the head.

[Kiwi303]

Sounds like a chance to get a bit of petty retaliation there

"You remember my name, yet have forgotten the emailed job offer you tendered, I dislike working for morons sir, can you explain why I should consider your school given the incompetence just demonstrated? It makes me wonder about the competence of the pay staff if they are at your level of intelligence, will they remember my name but forget how much I am due to be paid If I take your job offer?"


I wouldn't want to work for someone with such a rub-their-nose-in-it sense of superiority as seems to be shown there, so why not have some fun yourself while turning them down before looking for a better place?

[The Edge]

It is a bit of a conundrum.
If the applicant really wants the job, then they would call the employer.
If the employer really wants to fill the position then they would call the applicant.
Who needs who the most?
Can't say that I blame the employer for this in the current job market. They might be fed up of wasting their phone bill on...well, wasters. However, there are usually two sides to a coin.

[west2east]

I'm not sure if this is a trend or not. I agree with The Edge that it may come down to who needs who more. The university in question might be a great place to work. It might not. Being asked to call is of little harm to the teacher. A teacher contacting a school shows commitment to a specific organisation. Conversely when I face a teacher's application via email and see that it has been machine-gunned to twenty other schools, it gets deleted straight away.

If the job interests you, irrespective of the selection process, go for it. After interview you can judge better if the job is worth pursuing or not.

[nickpellatt]

Could even be a positive. Perhaps employers are becoming more sensitive to the needs of those who apply for jobs, and recognise the fact that they could be applying from a number of different time zones.

So rather than telephone an applicant and run the risk of waking them up at 3.30am, they are inviting applicants to phone in at a more convenient and sensible time.

[eslteach]

[nickpellatt]

Ha Ha, I was being a little sarcastic, although you're right, I am a 'glass half full' kinda guy. I havent experienced the above scenario with Chinese employers, but have from employers in other countries for the exact reason stated.

[daCabbie]

UGH! I just finished two phone interviews this morning. Yes, I had to call both of them. It doesn't matter to me. I would prefer they call me, that way they are ready to speak English. When I call them it takes a couple of minutes for them to realize I am speaking English and who I am.

Also, Chinese need to develop 'phone voices'. Something calm and peaceful. Don't talk to me like you are on a crowded bus. You are trying to build my confidence in you, nothing does this better than a soothing voice.

In the end we end up talking about train schedules and how wonderful their city is. Its never about teaching methods or experience.

I am not going to chose either of these schools without two more phone calls. One is an introduction, second is the real questions, and third is negotiations. If they can't be pleasant through all three then I pass. But that works both ways. I want them to want me just like they want me to want and need them.

And the beat goes on.....

[DosEquisX]

When you go to an in-person job interview, does the employer visit you or do you visit the employer?

[thessy]

The levels of legitimacy, effectiveness, seriousness, etc. of our jobs can be questioned sometimes on a daily basis, and for many of us the job is far from a necessity, but it's still a job and those people are still our [potential] employers/bosses. It is what it is, whether it should be that way or not. Circus freaks and pooper-scoopers have to apply for their jobs too.

[mat chen]

ESLTeach you forgot to ask about how you should deliver your gift to the potential boss? This is basic interview strategy in China.

[Guerciotti]