TEFL Telephone Interviews

Interviewing Over the Telephone or Skype for that Job Teaching English Overseas

TEFL interviews are like interviews for just about any other type of job, except they aren’t!

Particularly if you are a beginning teacher, don’t expect trick grammar questions – or really difficult questions of any sort.

Usually, the employer is just trying to get a feel if you are a friendly and pleasant person. Both of these issues are important to the employer, who is typically a business person, running a school where it would be nice if the customers (students) like their teachers enough to keep signing up for more classes and earning him/her a profit.

Professional Interviews

It would be unusual to have what you might consider a really professional interview. I’ve had precisely two – in fifteen years. And I have interviewed a lot as I like to “fish” for jobs – and often apply for something if it sounds interesting to me even if I don’t have any interest in taking it.

The notions, mentioned above, of friendliness and pleasantness, are generally what interviewers are looking for. If you are applying for a job that requires some experience or training, then you might expect a simple grammar question – or a question about your teaching philosophy, teaching methods – or how to deal with a discipline problem. Of course, think about these things before the interview.

The Usual Interview

A typical interview almost doesn’t exist. So really, you probably can’t do much to prepare, except to put yourself in a good mood, smile a lot, dress appropriately – and go for it.

Odd Questions

Most teachers, at one time or another, have been asked such oddities as, “Do you like kimchee?” or “How do you feel about hitting your students?” Answer honestly – you might as well hit the issues before you get there!

Speak Clearly

One thing almost all interviews are looking for, is your ability to speak clearly and understandably. Do that purposefully during the interview. Don’t try to “WoW” them with your use of the language. You are probably already light years ahead of their English language skills. That’s why they want and need a teacher. They want to know that you can communicate well with their students.

Telephone Interviews

Telephone Interviews interviews are fairly common, for obvious reasons. Try to speak clearly – some connections won’t be good. Be polite if you can’t understand what is being asked (which will sometimes be the case!).

The Role of the Teacher in Society

Know that in many cultures the teacher is considered a surrogate parent and that even experienced teachers in some countries will tell you the most important thing about any teacher is that they “Love their students.” While this would seem an odd thing in the West, it is a bit refreshing really. There is a nice old-fashioned-ness about such thinking. From times before pedophilia became such a fear. Before a teacher needed two witnesses before talking to a student about a problem.

It’s okay to tell an interviewer that you enjoy teaching, enjoy students, and have a strong interest in their success. And, I hope you do!

TED’s Tips™ #1: Relax and enjoy yourself! Consider your interview the rough equivalent of meeting a new friend.

The BEST EFL Teaching Jobs in China: Government Colleges, Universities and Secondary Schools offer the most reliable and worry-free jobs in China. Click on the Link if you would like to Teach English in China

TEFL Telephone Interviews

How to have a successful TEFL telephone interview

With the ever sinking price of international telephone calls and the free Skype to Skype calls, telephone interviews are becoming much more popular as schools look for their new teachers.

What’s up with a TEFL Telephone Interview?

Not to worry, it is a rare interview that tries to catch you with a tough grammar question.

The three most common reasons schools interview you via telephone are these:

1. They want to know if they can understand you when you speak

If they can’t, that’s not a good starting place for a new job. Find a quiet place, remove distractions, turn up the volume on your phone or Skype and speak slowly and clearly. Turn up the volume and remove distractions as sometimes you will have difficulty understanding the person interviewing you. And that is no good either.

2. They want to know if you are friendly

Believe it or not, there are not teachers who are not friendly. Who are not interested in their students or even in communicating with them. Answer your phone with a big smile. If you don’t like and enjoy people, don’t be a teacher.

3. They want to know if you will be easy to work with

I often call this Asia’s #1 hiring criteria. Harmony in the workplace is a goal in many cultures. Let your interviewer know that you are flexible and patient and that you can “go along to get along”. Because, if you can’t, you won’t experience much success abroad anyway. Cultural differences in the work place can be a very destructive force if you don’t learn to deal with problems using the cultural tactics of your host country.

Westerners often feel it is important to “Stick up for themselves”, “Show some backbone” or “Show them what you are made of” – when there are typically much more culturally appropriate ways to deal with the problems that come up on the job. Getting overly assertive is frequently the kiss of death for aspiring careers.

In non-first-world countries and cultures there are many ways to solve problems by working with people rather than riding roughshod over them. Get yourself some cultural finesse. It will go a long way toward ensuring your success abroad.

TED’s Tips™ #1: Speak slowly and clearly during your interview. Avoid using too much idiom or slang. Though you may be talking slowly, continue to speak correctly. Don’t start trying to oversimplify your speech or speak baby talk.

TED’s Tips™ #2: Do your interview in a quiet place and turn up the volume so you can hear well.

TED’s Tips™ #3: Answer your phone in a friendly manner and put a big smile on your face. Smiling is practiced by telemarketers as they know it increases the friendliness of their voice.

Follow those simple steps and your interview will be a success! Good luck!

What’s up in China? Learn what kind of jobs are on offer if would like to Teach English in China

How to Teach English Overseas and Secrets to Success Abroad
TEFL eBooks is offering a free download of their new publication Seven Secrets of Success Abroad - and along with it comes a bi-weekly installment and revision of their eBook called How to Teach English Overseas.

Great reviews for the Secrets of Success eBook – in spite of the hokey name – and the How to Teach English eBook is being updated and rewritten and sent out in installments as it is ready.

Here they are – click on the eBooks to get your FREE copies! Great information and the price is right, from our friends at TEFLeBooks.