ELT World Discussion

[mishmumkin]

If I've done my research correctly I should know a great deal about my potential employer before the interview. I'm curious what those who do the hiring wish their candidates asked about. Thoughts?
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[MELEE]

Mostly I'm just listening to see what they ask me. That will tell me what's important to them. (the students, the curriculum, resources, housing, benefits, vacation time...)
I do the interviews individually, but then report back to a pannel--that conversation always includes letting the others know what questions were asked by the candidate.
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[Justin Trullinger]

Hard question-

I do the hiring at the organisation where I work. It's not that I have a list of questions I want you to ask, because I don't know what's important to you. But I feel very strongly that you SHOULD ask about whatever is. Some of the worst problems I've had with teachers have had to do with things that were important to them that they didn't find out about beforehand, or didn't ask for more details. Some examples:

Teachers placed in elementary schools through us wear uniforms. They are told about this before hiring, and asked if they are okay with it. Depending on the school, these uniforms vary- some are very smart suit looking things, but some, especially at lower income schools, are sweatsuits with school logos. One teacher, very appearance conscious, was so horrified by wearing a sweatsuit that she was unable to continue, and we had to negotiate special permission for her to wear her own clothes. This made all the parents think she was the principal. It was a mess. Personally, I don't care what I wear, and would love to have a uniform, any uniform, that meant I wouldn't have to shop for clothes, or try to figure out what color tie goes with things...but to her, it was an issue. She should have asked.

Costs of living: Some things are very cheap in Ecuador. Some are more expensive. COmputers are first world prices or higher. Having read online that the cost of living in Ecuador is low (in terms of rent and food, it is) one teacher decided rather than bringing a computer, to buy one here. But here, lap tops are high end luxury without much selection. He should have asked.

Housing: We don't provide housing- but many of our teachers share apartments with each other, which is clearly stated in our pre-interview literature. This is because Ecuadorian apartments are mostly large family or multifamily units, and it would be hard to afford one on your own. A teacher who doesn't like to shared simply assumed that he could find his own, and anticipated finding an apartment for the same cost as a room in a shared unit. Not a chance. The he complains that it's hard to make ends meet...should have asked.

Teaching conditions- Our teachers are expected to use text books, but not to spend the whole course using only textbooks. They also have to be creative and come up with their own supplementary activities and materials. Payment for this is included in their hourly rate- they are not paid for extra hours for doing it. This is standard enough that I didn't make an issue of it, though again, it says in the package that "teaching hours are paid for at $X per hour, and that this rate includes preparation..." Again, if this is a problem, ask, let's talk beforehand. Likewise, if you have any financial obligations outside of the country, like student loan payments, it would be good to ask about how feasible that is...

It isn't a question of what you should ask- but ask everything that YOU need to know. I may not know what's important to you, but it's important that you ask about what you need to know. Do not assume! Whatever you need to know in order to make an adequate decision, you'll need to ask.

Best,
Justin
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[mishmumkin]

Great feedback from both of you! Thanks!
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[Henry_Cowell]

Justin... I guess I really should have asked!

[Emma]

I've found in interviews that the interviewer has told me so much information about the school and teaching methods that I really can't think of anything when asked if I have questions. To ask about obvious stuff like salary when i haven't been offered a job seems presumptuous. How do you feel about teachers coming back and asking questions before accepting the post?

[MELEE]

[Gordon]

I also think that prospective applicants should not ask about salary until they are offered the job. On the other hand, applicants should have a pretty good idea of the salary at this point anyways. I won't apply for a job unless I have a decent idea of the salary range, in many cases it would be a waste of everyone's time. i hate it when jobs don't give the salary in the ad or at least the salary range.
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[lozwich]

[Sherri]

I don't see why the salary should be such a big secret. I always tell the applicants what they can expect to make. I usually tell them over the phone before we schedule the interview. There is a pay scale so it is easy to figure out. All teachers have a copy of the pay scale once hired.

If it looks like the interview is going well, I tell them how often they will be paid and when they can expect their first pay check. This is especially important for people who are relocating for a job.

I want the applicant to ask questions but I wouldn't not hire someone simply because they did not ask any questions, though now that I am thinking about it, the people I have hired in the recent past all asked questions.

The interview is a 2-way street. The applicant also has to decide if he or she wants to work with us. They should be prepared to ask questions just as I am. Just as Justin said, think about what you want to know and what is important to you and ask away.

I must admit though, I like it when people ask about the students. I like it when they ask about the work atmosphere, but how the teachers work together, if they share and support each other. I like it if they show an interest in our program and show that they at least looked at our website.

Sherri

[David]

[Gordon]