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Interview before you know the school?

 
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kiwiluvesyew



Joined: 29 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:22 am    Post subject: Interview before you know the school? Reply with quote

Alright so I got an offer to interview with a school. However, I asked for the school info, website, and names/ e-mails of teachers already there and they told me "after the interview". Is this normal? I've had one or two other recruiters do that, but I thought it was certainly a red flag until I had so many do the same thing.

If you have any experience with this let me know pweese!

I wish the dang search function worked...


Last edited by kiwiluvesyew on Thu May 29, 2008 8:35 am; edited 4 times in total
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Sody



Joined: 14 May 2006

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are in Korea then that shrug off is more than reasonable so that you don't try and get the job on your own. Is it a phone interview they are trying to arrange?

As for the search function try using google but also include the words "Dave's ESL Cafe forum Korea," etc.
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kiwiluvesyew



Joined: 29 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ok. awesome. that sounds reasonable on their part, you know, they have to make their money off of me! i'm alright with that.

so i just tried the google search and no bueno on stuff about interviews. I know SOMEONE must have asked about what goes on during an interview/ what you should be prepared for. can anyone help me out?


Last edited by kiwiluvesyew on Thu May 29, 2008 8:29 am; edited 1 time in total
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polonius



Joined: 05 Jun 2004

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would say not to take it too personally. I don't offer my teachers' contact information until after the interview. The reason being, I interview a minimum of 5 candidates per position, and I really don't want to waste my current teachers time answering emails for teachers that I won't be offering a position to.

That said, I would certainly ask for a website if the school has one. Many schools might not have a website for new applicants, their website might only be for students at the school.
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Join Me



Joined: 14 Jan 2008

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nothing wrong with interviewing quick. If you can't speak to the instructors after the interview there is a problem. Also, if you are coming to Korea you had better practice how to say "no" (and mean it) or you may be in for a rough trip. If you can't put your foot down here, they can take you for all you are worth an inch at a time.
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ontheway



Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have to agree with Polonius on this one.

The current teaches at a school don't need the constant aggravation of calls from every person who might interview for a job. A school can easily go through 20 candidates before finding the one that fits. If there are several teachers on one year contracts who need to be replaced each year, that would result in a lot of annoying phone calls.

The school should give you some teachers names and phone numbers after you have had an interview and it seems to the school and the prospective empolyee that things are moving forward.

It is likewise true that a good school will not provide you a contract for review until after the first interview.



An empolyer will throw out the first 90% or more of applicants based on the resume, cover letter, transcripts, photo etc.

The employer will probably toss half or more of the remaining applicants after the first interview.

It is your second interview where things get moving. You can discuss details, ask about specifics, begin to ask about negotiating points. At this point, if both parties are still interested you can move forward with a contract to review, and teachers' phone numbers. The school, too, will have more detailed questions to determine whether or not you can really perform the required duties of the position adequately.
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Cerriowen



Joined: 03 Jun 2006
Location: Pocheon

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really? Are jobs that competative here?

I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I've been offered all but one job I applied for here... I assumed that had less to do with qualifications and personal charm than the schools being desperate to hire who ever walked through the door...

Do they REALLY get that many applicants for a position?
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Kimchieluver



Joined: 02 Mar 2005

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cerriowen wrote:
Really? Are jobs that competative here?

I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I've been offered all but one job I applied for here... I assumed that had less to do with qualifications and personal charm than the schools being desperate to hire who ever walked through the door...

Do they REALLY get that many applicants for a position?


Recruiters have a pool of applicants. They basically give your photo and resume to all their clients. So one school, albeit bad, can have 20 or so to choose from (but not that many applicants might not be remotely interested). If they don't like you during the interview, they will tell the recruiter, not you. If you don't like the conteract or school, you will tell the recruiter. A bad school can go for months trying to find a replacement teacher until some unlucky person takes the bait and signs the contract.
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SirFink



Joined: 05 Mar 2006

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kristinalharrison wrote:
so i just tried the google search and no bueno on stuff about interviews. I know SOMEONE must have asked about what goes on during an interview/ what you should be prepared for. can anyone help me out?


They'll listen closely to make sure you're breathing and then offer you the job. They'll mostly be looking at your picture. Are you the blonde chick in your photo? You're hired.
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