Ok, so I've only had two real interviews with schools in Korea so far, and two with recruiters. But nonetheless, I think my experiences might help someone out there. Maybe. Someday.
I've figured out that occasionally (although not typically) recruiters will want to conduct a "pre-interview" over the phone before offering you a position. I think this is to ensure that when they are sending out your resumes to schools, they know that you are a native English speaker with a decent personality. My first interview with a recruiter lasted about 10 minutes and went something like this:
Don: Hello Melinda?
Me: Yes.
Don: How are you?
Me: Very good, thank you. How are you?
Don: Good. What time is it over there? (As if he doesn't know)
Me: It's 7 o'clock!
Don: WOW! It's morning here in Korea! So my name is ______ and I went to University at ______ and graduated in ______ with a degree in _____. When I graduated I decided to go into advertising with _______ until the year _______. I have been a recruiter for 7 years and my company______ (You get the point) I am a resident of the United States as well as Korea and I travel back and forth often. (etc., etc...) Have you been offered any other jobs yet?
Me: Yes, actually. I just got offered a position but declined it because it was a split-shift schedule.
Don: Oh, yes, who would want to work such a terrible schedule? How much did they offer you?
Me: 2.1 million Korean Won
Don: That is a standard amount. I think you have a great personality and have a very good character. I will have no trouble finding you a position.
Me: Oh, thank you!
Don: I'm not just saying that to flatter you. Ok, well I will email you when I have a position to offer you.
Me: Perfect! Talk soon!
Don: Bye!
My 2nd interview with a recruiter lasted less than a minute and went like this:
John: Hello, Melinda?
Me: Yes, this is Melinda. How are you?
John: Good.
John: Ok you have your paperwork?
Me: Yes, I have everything.
John: And you are available to teach starting the 26th of September?
Me: Yes, that's right!
John: Cool, I will call you Monday or Tuesday night.
Me: Ok! Bye!
John: Bye!
So now for the important interviews. My first interview was for a couples position in Daegu, the 3rd largest city in South Korea. This is the top choice for me so far. The interview lasted about 15 minutes and she asked me if I had seen pictures of the apartment and I said that I had and that I loved them. She asked me about the TESOL certification that I have, and asked why I wanted to teach in South Korea. And then she asked me if I had any questions. I proceeded to ask her things like:
-How far away is the school from the apartment?
-Does the school provide training or orientation?
-What would a typical day of teaching be like?
-When would our start day be?
So she answered the questions, we talked for a bit and said good-bye. The Vice-Director interviewed three people yesterday and will be making a final decision in 2 hours. (I hope I get it!)
The second interview I had with an actual school was a lot different. It was for a school about an hour south of Seoul. I am not really interested in the position but I thought I could use the interview practice. The "conversation" lasted 8 minutes and consisted of a woman sounding like she was reading a script, (robotic, broken english):
-Do you like children?
-Have you ever worked with children before?
-Is culture shock scary to you?
-What are your strengths and weaknesses?
-You went to a University in Santa Barbara, so you must be really smart!
-Why do you want to teach in South Korea?
She then proceeded to tell me that they only had one position available at the school, so only I could be hired and Steve would have to find a job somewhere else. She was concerned that if Steve got a job nearby there would be competition between the schools, or communication between us that could put their companies at risk. So she basically told me: "If he gets a job close to you, please don't let it be too close... you understand." It was an interesting experience. She kept telling me that she really liked me and thought I was very sweet. When she was asking the questions, it didn't even seem like she was internalizing or even understanding my answers. I think she just wanted to see if I was friendly or not, and if I could speak English. She complimented me a lot and said she was going to talk to the recruiter and hung up.
So there you have it.
I've figured out that occasionally (although not typically) recruiters will want to conduct a "pre-interview" over the phone before offering you a position. I think this is to ensure that when they are sending out your resumes to schools, they know that you are a native English speaker with a decent personality. My first interview with a recruiter lasted about 10 minutes and went something like this:
Don: Hello Melinda?
Me: Yes.
Don: How are you?
Me: Very good, thank you. How are you?
Don: Good. What time is it over there? (As if he doesn't know)
Me: It's 7 o'clock!
Don: WOW! It's morning here in Korea! So my name is ______ and I went to University at ______ and graduated in ______ with a degree in _____. When I graduated I decided to go into advertising with _______ until the year _______. I have been a recruiter for 7 years and my company______ (You get the point) I am a resident of the United States as well as Korea and I travel back and forth often. (etc., etc...) Have you been offered any other jobs yet?
Me: Yes, actually. I just got offered a position but declined it because it was a split-shift schedule.
Don: Oh, yes, who would want to work such a terrible schedule? How much did they offer you?
Me: 2.1 million Korean Won
Don: That is a standard amount. I think you have a great personality and have a very good character. I will have no trouble finding you a position.
Me: Oh, thank you!
Don: I'm not just saying that to flatter you. Ok, well I will email you when I have a position to offer you.
Me: Perfect! Talk soon!
Don: Bye!
My 2nd interview with a recruiter lasted less than a minute and went like this:
John: Hello, Melinda?
Me: Yes, this is Melinda. How are you?
John: Good.
John: Ok you have your paperwork?
Me: Yes, I have everything.
John: And you are available to teach starting the 26th of September?
Me: Yes, that's right!
John: Cool, I will call you Monday or Tuesday night.
Me: Ok! Bye!
John: Bye!
So now for the important interviews. My first interview was for a couples position in Daegu, the 3rd largest city in South Korea. This is the top choice for me so far. The interview lasted about 15 minutes and she asked me if I had seen pictures of the apartment and I said that I had and that I loved them. She asked me about the TESOL certification that I have, and asked why I wanted to teach in South Korea. And then she asked me if I had any questions. I proceeded to ask her things like:
-How far away is the school from the apartment?
-Does the school provide training or orientation?
-What would a typical day of teaching be like?
-When would our start day be?
So she answered the questions, we talked for a bit and said good-bye. The Vice-Director interviewed three people yesterday and will be making a final decision in 2 hours. (I hope I get it!)
The second interview I had with an actual school was a lot different. It was for a school about an hour south of Seoul. I am not really interested in the position but I thought I could use the interview practice. The "conversation" lasted 8 minutes and consisted of a woman sounding like she was reading a script, (robotic, broken english):
-Do you like children?
-Have you ever worked with children before?
-Is culture shock scary to you?
-What are your strengths and weaknesses?
-You went to a University in Santa Barbara, so you must be really smart!
-Why do you want to teach in South Korea?
She then proceeded to tell me that they only had one position available at the school, so only I could be hired and Steve would have to find a job somewhere else. She was concerned that if Steve got a job nearby there would be competition between the schools, or communication between us that could put their companies at risk. So she basically told me: "If he gets a job close to you, please don't let it be too close... you understand." It was an interesting experience. She kept telling me that she really liked me and thought I was very sweet. When she was asking the questions, it didn't even seem like she was internalizing or even understanding my answers. I think she just wanted to see if I was friendly or not, and if I could speak English. She complimented me a lot and said she was going to talk to the recruiter and hung up.
So there you have it.
