Job Discussion Forums

[small_human]

I "taught" in Tokyo for three years with Nova.

Aside from learning a thing or two about eikawas, I decided that I liked "teaching".

I returned to my home country early this year and have since been looking for work of a similar nature in a different country. I haven't had much luck so far. I have a BA degree, a TESOL certificate and the before mentioned three years of experience in Japan.

ANyway, I just wanted to ask for you guys opinions...

I recently applied to work with Nova again because I couldn't find a better position. Do you think this is bad? I mean, to go back to a stomping ground that you are well and truly familiar with ( and sick of)?

I'd really like to try something new, but I'm getting very worried about my situation (out of work for six months). I can't wait much longer.

Am I going backwards? Has anyone else done this (gone back to a previous employer)? And how did it turn out?

Thanks in advance for your comments, criticisms and suggestions.

From the smallest human.

[Gordon]

Personally, I would never go back to a previous place of employment unless I really liked the job. It doesn't seem that you did. Are you only looking in Japan? There are lots of jobs everywhere and I can't believe you have been looking for 6 months. I know you'd get a job in a heartbeat in Korea. Korea is not such a bad place to work, it is easier to save money there than in Japan. Don't be scared off by the Korean forum.
I don't know how old you are, I'm guessing mid-20s. If I was you, I'd look somewhere other than Japan, you will probably be amazed at the communicativeness (word?) of the students. Get new experiences and a new culture.

[small_human]

Thanks Gordon..

I respect your opinion and may just look into what you mentioned (checking out teaching positions in Korea).

To tell you the truth, I WAS scared off a bit by the Korea forum. I have heard almost nothing but bad things about teaching in Korea. Contract disputes, shifty employers and the like...

My confidence has taken a bit of a beating after the lack of replies I got from prospective employees. I actually applied for a job with ILA Vietnam and they told me they would call me for a phone interview and stood me up. Later, they contacted me again and suggested a phone interview and then stood me up again!

You're absolutely right about my age. I am 25 and looking for meaningful (or at least valuable) experiences. I feel like I only have something to offer people when I'm overseas. I'm invisible here in my city of birth.

Thanks again and keep those opinions / suggestions coming.

Shrinking Human

[phis]

From the smallest human.[/quote]

Wow, are you depressed!! Are you going into interviews with that attitude? Future employers havent't got time to psychoanalyze you. If you don't come across as upbeat and filled with enthusiasm they are not going to even consider you.

Another point -Are your expectations too high? If you were working in Japan you were probably getting a fairly high salary. But from what I have heard, you need that because the cost of living is high also and you need the money to survive. (I have never been to Japan so am just commenting from hearsay). Don't you also have to pay for your own accommodation in Japan? Cost of living is an important factor when you are doing your research!

In comparison, the salaries quoted in other Asian countries may seem incredibly low to you, but the cost of living is so low that you will still live like 'a king or queen'. Here in Indonesia the salary varies enormously from city to city and island to island, but so does the cost of living. In addition, most schools throw in accommodation free or for a nominal sum of money. Also some schools will charge you for utilities such as electricity, gas, water, maid service etc., and others throw this in absolutely free too. You have to consider all this when thinking about the salary.

At the school where I work accommodation and utilities are free, so your salary is quite literally 'pocket money'. You spend it as you want, or you save it. It's up to you. Of course, when you convert your savings in to your native currency at the end of a contract you are not going to have a huge amount of money. But why are you travelling in the first place? Do you just want to save money (stay at home)? Or do you want to experience life in a different culture, and want to have stories to tell your grandchildren in the future?

What I am trying to say from all this is that: a) you have to do your homework for each country you are applying to. (There are some great jobs being advertised on Dave's at the moment). b) you have to be realistic about the amount of money you can earn in each country. It is never going to be huge if you want to continue in the esl field, but there are other compensations. c) you have to come across as positive in interviews even if you are feeling like ****.

I have written so much because I can't understand why someone with your qualifications has spent so much time without finding a job. Hope I haven't gone overboard.

[small_human]

Phis, you're absolutely right. I do find it hard to come across as being cheerful and energetic in interviews or when meeting people in general.

I always do my best to be professional and considerate and the reference from my last employer was very good.

The problem is that I don't come across as a cheerful and energetic person. I'm not gloomy or self defeating at all, I just don't jump around and wave my hands a lot (like some do in the classroom).

And why should I behave in that way? I always provide lessons that are well prepared and student centered - isn't that enough? Why should I pretend to be someone I'm not?

I'm not concerned about making money. I'd just like to do something that I enjoy and that helps people achieve something they want. Is there room in the EFL industry for someone like myself who has good intentions despite having a bit of a poker face?

[Gordon]

Small human,
You need to appear to be genki in job interviews. I too have a laid back personality, but when I interview I exude confidence and make them think that I am the best teacher on the planet. If you have been applying for ESL jobs, this is certainly the case that they want lively teachers. You aren't lying to them, but you have to appear to be energetic.

Once in the classroom, be yourself.

[small_human]

I know you're right, Gordon. It makes perfect sense, of course, that employers would want to hire someone who appears confident and has good people skills.

When in Japan, I found that one of the very hardest things in life was putting on a happy face for the classroom when I didn't feel so happy or energetic.

Some might call this putting on of faces professionalism, but I think it's actually bad for people to pretend to be happy when they're not.

I hope you don't get the wrong impression here. I'm not suicidal in the class or dragging my feet around the teacher's room. I always do my job as well as I can; it's just that somtimes my smile is bigger and sometimes it's smaller. If I don't feel like it I don't do it, regardless of the circumstances.

I consider this a kind of fundamental honesty. Perhaps I'm being a bit idealistic? Maybe I should consider another career path?!

I'm just curious to hear what people think about this situation as it has affected my life in a few ways.

[Bindair Dundat]

[lilsis]

You'll always get what you always got.

Sorry of it's a cliche.

Regarding

Some might call this putting on of faces professionalism, but I think it's actually bad for people to pretend to be happy when they're not.

I hope you don't get the wrong impression here. I'm not suicidal in the class or dragging my feet around the teacher's room. I always do my job as well as I can; it's just that somtimes my smile is bigger and sometimes it's smaller. If I don't feel like it I don't do it, regardless of the circumstances.

I consider this a kind of fundamental honesty. Perhaps I'm being a bit idealistic? Maybe I should consider another career path?!

I'm just curious to hear what people think about this situation as it has affected my life in a few ways.


_______________
Some peer group or one to tone counselling could be good for you I think, because you seem to be describing a pattern of behaviour. You need to understand the pattern and why you play it. Then you can make choices about how you view your present moments and where you chose to place your attention.

It's ok to honour what you feel, but to take these feelings to the workplace and lay them out there is inappropriate, I believe. Would you want to see an instructor's pain or their professionalism? Take the pain to an appropriate place and deal with it, respecting yourself.

All the best to you

[FGT]

Just to focus on one aspect of your dilemma which I feel may have been overlooked - You chose to leave Nova. Presumably you had a good reason to do that (it felt right/ you were bored/ they didn't give you what you wanted in one way or another, etc). Has anything happened to change that? Have you or the job changed in any way? If not, don't go there. You'll find something better. You have to move on, not back.
Good luck.

Now start thinking about why you didn't stay, how things can be better, how you can make a difference. The next job interview you get you can just explain why you're NOT going back to Nova and how you can contribute to the new place. Go for it!

BTW I doubt that you are smaller than anyone else on this forum. You've got the balls to ask for an opinion. That takes courage.

[Gordon]

Just one more point to add. I've hired and trained teachers in the past. I have seen a number of applicants who were a little withdrawn in the interview and didn't show much enthusiasm. I never hired them because I feared the students may walk all over them or that they wouldn't take the initiative. No one wants to hire someone who needs to have their hand held. I'm not saying you do, this is generally speaking. Maybe they would have made great teachers, I don't know.

[dmb]

[small_human]

I agree, dmb.

The scary part was when I got good at leaving my 'real' personality at the door. I became a good entertainer (which is crucial in an eikawa) and the students seemed to enjoy themselves.

I did feel a bit of a phony, though. Especially when this 'professional demeanor' started to spill over into my private life. When I met people outside of work I found myself talking like a game show host and waving my hands around in an exaggerated manner.

Finding a balance between being professional at work and natural in private time is a fine art, I suppose. I'll get there eventually!

Thanks to everyone who posted with opinions and advice. It was really interesting to read and I think I learned a thing or two about myself while reading them.

Regards,

A slightly larger human than before

[scot47]

Putting on a show is all part of teaching. Rather like being on the stage.

[struelle]