Job Discussion Forums

Nimah · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 36

I've also gotten mine. Already found an international school job though....

puiwaihin · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 91

h-train · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:22 am Post subject:

I wanted to give a bit of feedback on my overall experience in applying for the PNET scheme. It may sound like sour grapes, but I am not at all unhappy about what happened in the end. On the contrary, I am very happy because I ultimately signed for a much better post.

I was a Chinese translator for 6 years for a large organization. A significant component of my job was teaching ESL to foreign nationals overseas. I moved to China in 2005 and taught at a private elementary school and part time for an IELTS program. I have a graduate degree, a TEFL qualification, and two undergraduate degrees.

After receiving a VERY late notice that I'd been accepted for an interview, I told NET I could no longer come because their notice was last minute. They said they would give me the last spot on the last day of interviews if it helped. I took that spot and proceeded to spend about $1,000 in getting to Hong Kong and paying for accommodation, etc.

On the day of the interview I realized I was the only one wearing a suit and tie. Other applicants were coming in wearing dirty shoes and wrinkled clothes. I had all of my documents prepared. I spent the entire week leading up to the interview preparing for questions that might be asked. The morning of the interview I was even listening to clips of myself on my iPod.

As soon as the interview started I heard "Wow, you actually speak English very clearly and well. If I weren't looking at your documents I would have no idea where you're from." <--- Note: I'm American. The interviewer was British.

Then I heard "You know, it used to be quite easy to get a job with PNET, but that's just not the case anymore. If you are not selected it's because your application lacks another piece of paper."

In the end, I was not accepted. I got an email response that was something like "You were not accepted. Thanks anyway and good luck." So I emailed asking for some feedback at least. I got nothing for two weeks. Then I received an email that said:

"As reviewed by the Selection Board, your Professionalism/ Versatility, as well as Advisory and Consultative skills and Application are not as excellent as compared with other candidates. But you are welcome to reapply for the post in the future."

Well, maybe next year I'll try to be even more excellent than other applicants. Or maybe I just won't waste my time and money applying again.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

It's a lottery. The EMB bozos don't know their ass from their elbow when it comes to who to appoint. Look at it as a lottery and you won't be too disappointed if the goons don't select you.

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

afarr · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Hong Kong

I was interviewed in the UK March 25th, emailed the government and was told I had passed the interview and test (end April). Have just emailed them again to ask them what my status is.... and they replied (end of May) saying that my folder had been passed to the Assessment Authority and they're waiting to recieve a report and then they'll contact me ???? I think that means they'll let me know if there are any problems with my qualifications/references or not.
It would be really good to be given a time-line with actual dates in it so we can prepare to come to Hong Kong a bit better. I've been told not to leave home without an employment visa secured but won't I miss out on Orientation Days with the NET scheme and staff meetings with my school?
Stress.... stress!

afarr · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Hong Kong

I was interviewed in the UK March 25th, emailed the government and was told I had passed the interview and test (end April). Have just emailed them again to ask them what my status is.... and they replied (end of May) saying that my folder had been passed to the Assessment Authority and they're waiting to recieve a report and then they'll contact me ???? I think that means they'll let me know if there are any problems with my qualifications/references or not.
It would be really good to be given a time-line with actual dates in it so we can prepare to come to Hong Kong a bit better. I've been told not to leave home without an employment visa secured but won't I miss out on Orientation Days with the NET scheme and staff meetings with my school?
Stress.... stress!

afarr · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Hong Kong

I've just had another email from the NET Administrative Team (the first from a few days ago replying to a query as to my "status", that my file had been sent on to the assessment authority for the qualification assessment (sic) and that I would be notified of the result once they had received the report). Today they said that my qualification (sic)has met the entry requirement for the Secondary NET scheme, and that my file would now be included in the canditate pool which will be referred to schools for their selection upon their request for a new NET.
They also asked for a current CV, when I could start as a NET. They did stress not to resign from my current job or make any arrangement for my stay in HK until a provisional offer has been made.

Hope this helps!

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

If my wife's experience is anything to go by (and this would seem to be supported by other posts above), you may have to wait until August before you know for sure what's going on. Sometime in early August, she received a phone call in the early hours of the morning (she was in Florida - it didn't seem to have occurred to them that it might be an inconvenient time elsewhere) and she then had to deal with a full-on telephone interview. I think a few days after that ordeal she got another call saying she had got the job, please come asap!

BCinHK · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Hong Kong

mictweety · Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Texas, U.S.A.

I am frustrated with the process. I e-mailed to ask for the status of my application and see has it gone through the "assessment authority." I received an e-mail asking me to requests letters from my schools to vouched for the "teacher prep" courses I have completed with the exact dates and duration of the classes. Oh, I have three working days to get back to them. On top of that, they want me to show my qualification as a primary instuctor. I sent official copies of my transcripts to them as well as a copy of my teaching certificate stating I am certified to teach PK-6. What else can my former universities do to prove that I have completed the courses? I e-mailed them back to tell them all of this and ask them what else they'll like me to do to prove that I have these qualifications. I don't have a response back yet, but it is so frustrating!!!

Is anyone else running into this issue?

anninhk · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 284

I understand your frustration. What they want to know is how much teaching practice you did as part of your course. Apparently it has a bearing on your salary point!
I had to do the same thing when I applied back in 2002. I actually got my teachers cert 40 years ago and have been a full-time teacher ever since. My teacher training college no longer exists but I still had to get a piece of paper from the college stating how much teaching practice I had done. The people I contacted could only state that the amount of teaching practice was standard - 14 weeks and I must have done that to qualify for my teachers cert. I suggest you get your college to write something similar.
Be prepared to supply even more paperwork!!!!

afarr · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Hong Kong

I've just been contacted by a school saying that my application had been referred to their school and asking if I was still interested in the NET position ... so I guess that the EDB has sent out a list of prospective NETs. Movement at last!

hkteach · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 202 Location: Hong Kong

You should be aware that local schools here range from very good to shocking and NET jobs vary according to which school they get. An"elite" school or school in a sought-after location isn't necessarily a good place for a NET, just as a school in a less desirable location doesn't necessarily mean a bad experience for the NET. Your happiness or otherwise depends mostly on your principal but also your SET, Panel Chair, teachers, kids and parents.
As has been said before, it's a real lottery and there are certainly traps for those who accept a job without knowing anything about the place.

In our home countries, we'd be able to research a school through personal contacts or 'the grapevine'. Those coming here don't usually have that luxury but instead rely on what they're told by the school concerned. Two years can seem an awfully long time if you're in a school where you're unhappy.

Seeing that current NETs read this board, it might be a good idea to do yourself a favour and ask here about the specific schools which offer you a position.
If any of us know the school concerned you could get a private message.