Interviews for ESL, TEFL and TESOL teaching jobs abroad

By Michael G. Hines

I wanted to talk about interviewing from both perspectives which are that of the ESL TEFL TESOL teacher looking for a new teaching job and that from the ESL TEFL TESOL school looking for a new teacher to fill their available teaching position. Keep in mind that this is just my advice and opinion on the matter. You should decide what you find useful and what does or doesn’t work for you.

Clarity is a very necessary ingredient to an interview whether it is for a teaching job or any other job. In a virtual interview, your interview questions and answers must be clear because you can’t rely on body language to make your point. Even most video interviews via web chat sites are only from the shoulders up. Also, remember to be concise. Rambling or long winded questions and answers can be confusing as well as paint a bad picture of your professionalism as a teacher and potential employee.

Once you have identified the perfect teaching job or teacher candidate based on the skills or requirements you are looking for, it is time to prepare for the potential interview. Interviewing is never an easy thing and having to be interviewed or conduct an interview virtually (via the internet or over the phone) can add a whole new set of issues.

Teachers: Remember to review your ESL TEFL TESOL teacher resume and cover letter prior to the job interview so that you can highlight your key points and don’t have to “fumble” for the information. You never know what the school has focused on and will want to talk to you about so review all your points for the teaching resume you sent them. Make sure to have your TESL TEFL TESOL teacher training certification prepared and ready to present along with your university degree.

Schools: Remember to have all your ESL TEFL TESOL teaching job information as well as school information ready for the interview. This would include a list of duties and benefits as well as links to your website to further explain the position. Teachers are very sought after and may base their whole decision on whether to take your teaching job based on the details of the information you gave them. For example, pinning your schools location on Google maps can help a teacher quickly locate you.

Finally for everyone, remember to show some passion (not too much) because it shows that you take an active interest in what you do and this is an active ingredient of any good TESL TEFL TESOL school and class.

The most important thing to do for any interview is simple…prepare!

Teachers:

o Know your positive and negative aspects so that you can highlight or negate any points raised.
o Research the school, company and position so you can ask relavent questions.
Schools:
o Know the positive and negative aspects of the position so that you can “sell” yourself or lessen any aprehension a teacher may have.
o Research your candidate so that they feel you actually took them time to consider them as an individual.

Here are some great online resources for both the interviewer and interviewee:

Teacher Interiew Questions Video: youtube.com/watch?v=HrxoIg9YRVc
Interactive Practice Interview Questions: career-advice.monster.com/job-interview-practice/home
Monster.com Quizzes – This has great stuff like resume readiness, virtual interviews and culture quizzes: resources.monster.com/tools/default.asp

About the author

Michael G. Hines is the Founder of Icon Group Thailand (IGT) – Educating the Future: TotalESL.com – ESL TEFL TESOL Teaching Jobs