If you’re reading this, chances are you are applying to teach abroad with us. So first of all, thanks for applying, we’re excited to discuss the programs with you!
I usually do the interviews, and in this blog post I’ll give you a few tips on what to expect from the call, and what’s important to us.
Punctuality is key
We deeply care about our teachers and helping them have a life changing adventure abroad. We equally care about our partner schools, and doing all we can to help them find motivated, engaging teachers. Given our role of assessing potential candidates for our partner schools, being punctual for your interview with us is essential. We will send you a couple of reminders about the meeting, the fact it’s a video call on Google Meet etc, and as such you must ensure to attend in time, and cancel if you are unable to join us. There’s a ton of things I’m flexible on in this process, but I’m very strict on being on time and punctual for the first call.
What excites you about teaching?
The call is a free flowing conversation that takes 30-40 minutes. In this time, we’ll talk about all sorts of things: your CV, what you expect from the country you may move to, questions you have, things you’re excited about, and things you have concerns about.
The only key criteria I am looking for in candidates is that there’s something about being a teacher you think you’ll enjoy.
This doesn’t mean we are looking for candidates that plan to become teachers longer term. If you are, then that’s great and that could be part of your drive for doing this. But if not, it can still work if you like the idea of being in class and you think you’ll enjoy it on a day to day basis.
I did social science and politics at university, and I found the idea of talking to Chinese students about their lives and future plans incredibly interesting and eye-opening. That made every day fun for me, and teaching never felt like a job as a result.
For others it may be that you love languages, and that learning a new language yourself and helping others with their language development appeals to you.
Whatever your reason, if you’re having a blast in class you will be a good teacher, and it will work out great!
Do your research
As we confirm the call with you, we will send you a small list of 4-5 items to review. These include information about our company and mission, the program structure and fee, blogs on our website that give you an idea how other candidates have gotten on, and videos on our YouTube channel.
Reviewing these will help you get an idea about what to expect, which will hopefully help you make an informed decision about taking part.
It can also jog your memory on questions you have for us that you can ask during the call.
Ask questions, and don’t hesitate to express concerns
I approach the call as an open conversation that can help both of us assess whether this program makes sense for you. As such, I want you to ask questions and I want to hear about concerns you have.
I actually get most worried when candidates tell me they have no questions, and they think everything about moving abroad will be smooth sailing. As much as it’s likely to be a brilliant experience, there will be good and bad days, and you have to be ready for that.
So don’t hesitate to ask me anything, and tell me what you may be worried about.
I speak to our teachers regularly during their placement, so I can usually give you some recent examples or impressions from our teachers in the country you are looking to move to.
One example that comes to mind is that I occasionally speak to candidates that tell me they are more comfortable being a teaching assistant than a main classroom teacher.
There’s nothing wrong with this, but for our programs we recruit for main teacher positions rather than for teaching assistant roles.
So if you are after a teaching assistant role, I don’t think our program will be a good fit, and I’ll tell you.
How will you make your mark?
I usually end the call by asking you about the ways you think you may make an impact on this placement.
Being a teacher abroad is a unique role because you combine the considerable impact all teachers have, with the fact that doing so as perhaps one of the first foreigners young students ever extensively engage with, you are also a person of cultural influence and general interest to those you work with.
They will ask you what you eat in your home country, what people are like and what attending university there may be like, besides lots of (and sometimes slightly inappropriate :)) questions about yourself!
But it means that you being there is having an impact, and that they’re interested and excited.
It’s an exciting prospect, and so much fun! As such, I’m curious what’s most notable about you and what tends to stand out about you to people, so have a think about that:)
I hope this has given you an idea about how we approach candidate interviews, and what we care about.
Thanks for reading, and if you’d like to apply, you can do so here.
If you have any questions for me, you can reach me by email: arnold@impact-teaching.com
