Online Interview
You'll need to participate in at least one job interview to secure a teaching position in China. There are several things to consider before your interview to improve your chances of success, as you may be competing against other teachers for the same position.
Test Your Equipment
Make sure you’re comfortable with the apps you’ll be using. The most commonly used apps are Wechat, Whatapp and Skype. Teach To Rich will let you know which app will be used. It’s a good idea to test your internet connection as well as your audio and sound capabilities to make sure everything works properly. If you can, use earbuds.
Pick Your Perfect Spot
You must make sure it isn't too dark but also stay away from overhead lights during the interview if you can. If possible, try to settle down near a window. Natural light is best because bad lighting can be distracting. A glare could make it difficult for the interviewer to see you.
Silence anything that could interfere with your conversation, including your phone and email notifications on your computer. Make sure no one else is around when you are completing your interview, including pets.
Make Eye Contact
Making eye contact during an online interview is more difficult than you might think. When answering questions, you will need to focus your gaze directly on the webcam instead of on the interviewer's face or your own. Maintaining eye contact and nodding will show the interviewer that you are involved and listening attentively.
Consider Your Body Language
It is harder to read body language through a video, so be especially aware of your nonverbal cues. Remember to smile and nod when the interviewer speaks. Sit up straight and act as you would during an in-person interview. You obviously will not be able to shake hands when signing off, so you will need to show your professionalism and good manners in other ways.
Prepare a Cheat Sheet
Remember that the interviewer can't see what's not on camera, so use your interview space to your advantage. Stick a Post-It Note cheat sheet with notes, questions, or needed inspiration directly to the screen or the wall behind your camera. The interviewer on the other side won't ever know.
The Interview
Most online interviews for an English teaching position in China are usually short and don't tend to include too many probing questions such as 'where do you envision your career in 10 years?'.
Interviewers are also generally not looking to test you on grammar skills or trying to trick you on the theoretical knowledge acquired via your TEFL/ CELTA certification.
Your interviewer will be focusing on getting a feel for what you might be like to work with and whether you will get on well with the students and other staff members.
You should aim to come across as a rounded, friendly and polite person whom they can work with.
Be prepared to go over what you've listed on your application; even though the interviewer will have your resume, they may also want to hear about the details personally.
Sample questions may include:
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Why would you like to teach in China?
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Please outline your relevant teaching experiences.
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What are your greatest strengths as a teacher?
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What do you feel your weaknesses are as a teacher?
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What challenges do you feel (young, children, teenage, adult) ESL learners face?
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What challenges might there be in a TEFL classroom? How will you overcome these challenges?
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How would you react to feedback from your Supervisor/ Principal?
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What do you think the main differences are between education in China and your home country?
Your voice and pronunciation are very important. You should speak as clearly as possible so the school has a chance to gauge how your teaching voice will sound; be sure to keep your accent neutral and understandable without using any slang. By speaking too quickly, the interviewer may feel that you can't reach out to students with lower English levels or that you cannot adapt your teaching styles to students with different needs.
Teach To Rich will provide you with as much background information regarding the interviewer as possible to help you prepare better.