Job Discussion Forums

obe · Joined: 05 Apr 2011 Posts: 9 Location: USA

Hello,

The search function doesn't seem to consistently work. Sorry if this has been asked many times before.

I have a telephone/Skype interview coming up and I'm not sure what to expect. Will this be anything like a standard job interview one would encounter in the states? Are there any general recommendations or tips you may want to pass on?

Thanks

obe · Joined: 05 Apr 2011 Posts: 9 Location: USA

It's for a University position

rap60 · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 53 Location: Brisbane, Australia

nobody replied to your questions and I think your interview happened a while ago, could I ask YOU what happened as I have my first interview in 2 days time. Any tips? what was the outline of the interview? cheers Rob

Riviello · Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Posts: 66

If it is a Skype interview, the school basically just wants to see you "live". I wouldn't expect any really tough, serious questions. In fact, you may wind up doing most of the questioning.

Assuming it is a university job, I'd ask about class size, whether the students are English majors or not, any required extracurricular activities (you may want to skip that question in order to not plant any ideas in their head), clarify costs - electricity, visa, internet, cable etc...

Again, if it is a Skype interview - they just want to see you.

tomhume89 · Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 103 Location: Changsha

Every interview I've done in China is always the same- no pressing questions at all. It's usually just to see that you're a fairly capable human being, that you can string a sentence together, and don't have a major speech impediment that you failed to mention on your CV.

I wouldn't worry too much.

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

Can you define irony?

DosEquisX · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 361

Do you have a pulse?
Do you speak English?

YOU'RE HIRED!!

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

I agree, the phone interview is not really like a job interview would be in the US. I think that a lot of the Chinese people who are doing interviews have probably 80% decided who they will hire before the interview takes place.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

They want to see if you are white and that you don't have any major physical abnormalities.

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

It's also a check that you do not have a strong regional accent.

dog backwards · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 178

I've had a few phone interviews, a couple of which were with someone in the foreign languages departments.

"Do you you speak any Chinese?"

--- No, but I've never had problems getting around or finding the things I need.

"How do you do that?"

--- There is no shortage of English speakers anywhere that I've taught.

But in the suburbs of the city, you won't find many people who speak English.

--- If I think I'll have problems with communication, I just bring a student with me.

"Do you spend a lot of time with students after school hours?"

---Generally, no, unless they need my help or I need their help. I don't rely upon students for my social life. I have always gotten along well with my students, though.

Does it bother you to be stared at?

--- I don't think anyone has ever stared at me anywhere in China. Why would anyone stare at me?

"Why do you want to teach in China?"

--- I have taught in China before, and I found it to be an immensely satisfying experience.

Why is that?

--- My Chinese students work hard, and they have a good sense of humor. In fact, most Chinese people I've met in China have a good sense of humor. Everyone is very kind and generous, not to mention entirely trustworthy. I've never been cheated or lied to by anybody in China. Never.

What do you like the most about living in China?

--- I like riding public transportation.

REALLY?

--- Yes. It's fun. There's always an interesting moment.

What was your worst experience in China?

--- I had a lot of difficulty crossing the street the first time I lived in China. And then there was that time when I was sitting on a bus and a ten year-old girl engaged me in a conversation about world politics.

Why was that a bad experience?

--- I got the feeling that she had a better understanding of world politics than most adults from my country. She did most of the talking. It was very informative.

Are you interested in world politics?

--- Generally, no, unless I'm talking to a Chinese ten year-old. [One must be careful when answering such questions about politics].

Have you ever lived in a foreign country besides China?

--- Yes.

Where?

--- Guantanamo. [I couldn't think of anything else].

What did you do there?

--- I worked for the local tourist bureau. It's a seaside resort. I interviewed people about water sports. [I threw this in to prove that people trust me and feel comfortable speaking to me].

Do you like NBA?

--- I LOVE NBA. I speak the language of NBA! Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Yao Ming... um, Will Smith, Charles Mingus and Miles Davis too... They're all great.

What religion are you?

--- Religion? I'm not religious. I do celebrate Easter, though, with an Easter Egg Hunt. And I also have this really nice hat that I wear for the occasion.

How do you feel about teaching large classes?

--- Anything smaller than fifty students is a waste of time.

Most of the interviews went sort of like this. All they want to know is if you are personable, and can respond well in sometimes difficult situations. Be careful about questions about religion, politics, and the adversity you might face when you live in China.

And be ready for the NBA question. It'll come up every time.

obe · Joined: 05 Apr 2011 Posts: 9 Location: USA

@ dog: Awesome response!

The original interview, that prompted my original post, never happened. I'm not sure why, or for what reason, but they never initiated the call nor responded to any emails.
In the time that has passed since the original post I have had two interviews, one with a private School in Shenzhen and another with some sort of agency in Guangzhou. The interview with the private school was very quick. They were looking for someone to teach children and I was looking to teach adults. The interview with the agency was a little longer, but nothing of substance was discussed. It has mostly been them trying to find out what subjects I would be willing to teach.
I have been offered four jobs without having done any interview (all universities and not in the Guangzhou/Shenzhen area, so I turned them down). It�s possible that if had not turned those offers down, that at some point I would have been asked for a skype/telephone interview, but I�ll never know now.
The agency I had the interview with, has told me I will have at least 2 more interviews before a formal contract will be drawn up, but to be honest, I don�t know if I�ll make those next interviews. The company seems less than truthful.