Job Discussion Forums

TeacherTim · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Deep undercover

Hi all,

I was invited by email to attend the PNET interview in London today. The date however is Monday 27th March. The problem with this is that it falls on a teaching day (I teach in the state system). Anybody connected to the public sector will know that taking leave during term time is impossible. I would imagine that the PNET organisers know this too, so they are effectively losing out with larger numbers of suitable applicants unable to attend, unless of course they expect serious teachers to all "pull sickies" on that day and attend anyway, which I would be unable to do.

I emailed the PNET straight away with my concerns, I was wondering whether anybody else has had the same news and whether or not the PNET organisers were likely to offer more dates?

Hope to hear from you soon,

Tim

hkchalky · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Hong Kong

Are the interviews organised by a locally based agent on behalf of the EMB in HK? They should know that you can't get out of school.
In Australia, we were able to negotiate times after school or on Saturdays.

robsam · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 24

Hello Teacher Tim & all,
Currently, I am teaching in Japan in the JET Programme. I want to get a job in P-NET starting in August. I have an interview in Hong Kong on March 20th. Not only do I have to take 2 days off from work, but I have to pay for a round trip ticket to HK and also pay for a hotel room for 2 nights. The total cost will be about $800. However when I am working in HK next year it will be worth it. Also feel lucky that you are in the UK. I am an American and even if I was in the US, there are no interviews conducted anywhere in the US at all...only 2 places in Canada. I'm not sure why the EMB doesn't conduct interviews in the US, but perhaps they don't really want Americans in the NET Scheme or they just want to make Americans work a little harder to get a job in NET. Anyone know why this is? Anyway, good luck with changing your interview date. In the email I got it states that "Any request for change of date and time will not normally be entertained."

TL · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 76 Location: Seoul

Hey robsam,
I'm in the same situation as you (SNET though). I'm treating it as a mini-vacation. Hopefully we'll get positions, making the trip worth it.

TeacherTim · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Deep undercover

Hi folks,

Thanks for your replies and sorry that I am not the only one with difficulties. I spoke to the EMB and they would not budge, I even offered to buy a webcam, but never mind.

As for this year, the wife and I have decided to take a year out in the Philippines (baby on the way!) and start our own recruitment firm (the wife is Filipino).

I wish you all the very best of luck and I'm sorry I won't be seeing you out there, but who knows!

Regards,

Tim