Job Discussion Forums

[RollingStone]

So is this a case of teacher x simply being overachieving? In other words, in a less demanding environment (say where the school expected a teacher to go strictly by the book provided and not step outside the lines) x could have pulled it off? Of course, the only school i can think of offhand that would have standards that low would be an eikaiwa or similar, and there you need proof positive of a degree. Perhaps if x had dialed it down somewhat, s/he would have been successful.

[bulgogiboy]

I've never faked anything when applying for a job although like a vast majority of jobseekers I've embellished my CV somewhat, playing up the importance of job positions and responsibilities

I can see people being tempted to fake up their CV in fairly small ways, like if you have 5 genuine yrs experience in a field and the competition is tight then make it 7 or 8 yrs, or if you have several genuine degrees and certificates then add another one on for good measure, but claiming a master's and 10 yrs experience in a field you know nothing about...silly. Perhaps it shows the low regard this person held for ESL teaching, thinking it's just mickey mouse work, chatting away in your first language (it is like that sometimes I suppose ).

The funny thing is, it's not exactly that hard for a native speaker to get a job in China anyway, there isn't that much need to fake anything! When I was working in China I was one of the few teachers in my school (which had a large number of teaching staff) who had any kind of qualification whatsoever. I mean there were quite a few teachers with zilch, not even an online TEFL certificate, and they had work permits. Why did this person need to fake such a grandiose CV?

[denise]

[johnslat]

Dear denise,

If you're naive, then so am I. And I don't think we're either naive or old-fashioned because no matter how much dishonesty there may seem to be in the world ("Hey, everybody does it",) I believe that integrity never goes "out of style."

Hope I'm right - the idea of living in a world where it has is not a pleasant prospect.

Regards,
John

[bulgogiboy]

[RollingStone]

[johnslat]

Dear Rolling Stone,

Your reality is different from my reality. Please notice that I'm not saying

"worse/better than" - just different from.

Regards,
John

[JZer]

[powerrose]

I wouldn't fake my CV out of a naive belief that I wouldn't want to take on a job that required someone with much more experience/credentials.

But whoever posted about the non-credentialed teaching in China was spot on. I've certainly had jobs in the past that played down certain aspects of the job, then expected a seasoned teacher with xyz qualifications. Sometimes I wanted to ask those former bosses if they had even read my CV, or just shoved a native speaking peg into a hole.....

[RollingStone]

[RollingStone]

[Sashadroogie]

Lying is lying, no matter how it is dressed up or phrased in a CV. At least, that is how the terms of an employment contract will see it, especially the section that outlines grounds for instant dismissal..

[johnslat]

Dear Rolling Stone,,

From your posts, I get the message that you think "a little padding" is OK.

"Or simply that you do not feel comfortable with the idea of padding regardless?"

Simply, yes - I feel uncomfortable with the idea of being dishonest.

"It is interesting that there are those here that think such padding is 'dishonest'. It is dishonest if you fail."

So, can I assume that you don't think "embellishing" (which is a pleasant-sounding euphemism for lying) isn't being dishonest - as long as it succeeds?

As I said, we have different "realities" - your reality apparently sees lying as being OK, provided the lie "succeeds."

My reality sees lying as being dishonest, whether or not the lie is successful.

But I don't think it's wrong because "it's a huge risk" - in fact, I don't really see any connection between "a huge risk" and "wrong."

I think it's wrong because misrepresenting one's qualifications/experience is being dishonest, no matter what "justification" (e.g. the labour market's not being a meritocracy) may be offered.

You seem to be saying that the end justifies the means, and that can be a very slippery slope. Just where does one "draw the line?"

Regards,
John

[Sashadroogie]

The Victorians' greatest sin of all was getting found out. That didn't work out so well in the end.

[khmerhit]

hey what do Anderson Cooper 360 and Johnslat have in common?















keeping em honest!!!!

C A M B O D I A
try it and see


btw--speaking of teacher X----

checkout: www.englishteacherx.com --he is changing it around a bit---great blog evein if old wine in new bottles-----ave X!!!