Job Discussion Forums

[lou_la]

Of those of you that have been through this, what sort of questions should I expect? I'm expecting questions on why I want to work in Taiwan, for Hess, and why I want to be a teacher, things like that.

Is there anything else I should think about? Am I likely to be asked about how I would teach a word/structure they give me, prepare lesson plans etc? I've never taught English before, but do have a measly 60hr online tefl diploma, so I'd have a vaugue idea, but that's about it.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[Dr_Zoidberg]

I was interviewed by Hess a year ago (I turned down their job offer for another). The questions I had were mainly about classroom management. For example, "How do you handle a child that disrupts the class?"

Another question that stands out in my mind is, "How would you teach his and hers?"

[kuberkat]

The interview is not as much to test your teaching skills- they are supposed to train you in that, after all . It really is about how you present yourself: do you speak clearly enough for beginning students to understand you, is your pronunciation accessible, how do you organize your thoughts, etc.

As to questions, absolutely do expect the usual suspects:

* Why do you want to teach?
* Why this school? (A good time to show you've done your homework)
* Have you lived abroad before? What do you expect from the experience?
* How would you explain (Random Basic Grammar Point)? (They asked me how I'd explain the concepts of "his" and "hers".)
* How is your health? (Taiwan's unique cocktail of pollution and viral activity can tax the system.)

My personal interview strategy is to reverse the roles. Think of it as you interviewing them, not the other way around. Are they good enough for you? This point of view should give you some inspiration for one of the most important questions in any interview:

* Do you have any questions?

This is your wildcard. The interviewer is not responsible for your package, so negotiating hours or pay here is just silly (not to mention that it makes you look green and greedy). The interviewer is usually in HR and knows where good people are needed. So the right question here is, to misquote Kennedy, not to ask what the school can do for you but what you can do for the school. Whether you'd like to write for their newsletter, contribute to their website, get involved in training or materials development, the better chain schools will snap you up in a heartbeat. Startling as it may seem, not all that many TEFLers are into their jobs at all. Showing that you are sets you apart from the herd.

When they offer you the job, THEN you can start negotiating.

A word of warning: follow this advice and you will get the job, so make sure you want it first. Remember, YOU are interviewing THEM.

"Jia-You!" (Er, I guess that translates to roughly GOGOGO!)

[Serious_Fun]

[lou_la]

Thanks for the pointers, you all brought up some points that I hadn't considered.

Off to do a last bit of prep for the interview tomorrow - they kind of sprung it on me at short notice, I'd rather have had a bit more time to prepare. However, I'll have my notes to help out. Hooray for phone interviews!!

Thanks again, I'll let you all know how it goes!
Louise

[I_is_teach_English]

Louise,
When I was interviewed over three years ago, they asked me a lot of the same questions that were on my original application form. Why do you want to teach? How do you think you'll cope living abroad? etc etc. They really do the interview to make sure that you're a) not crazy b) are able to be understood (accent and organising what you're saying), and c) not going to go running home after a month of their invested training (=money) because you can't hack it.
Don't worry, you'll breeze it ...

[kuberkat]

Er, I don't often get to quote myself, so I might as well make use of this opportuntiy. I wrote:

[lou_la]

Well, I just had the interview, so fingers crossed!

Thanks again for all your help.
Louise

[kuberkat]

Wooohoo! Fingers and toes crossed for you, though I'm sure you don't need luck with your talent!

[lou_la]

yay, I got the job!! I know Hess isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it'll be a good place to start I think.

Thanks everyone for your help, it was much appreciated.

Taiwan here I come!

[kuberkat]

Congrats! Hope it's all you dreamed of and more.