GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR JOB INTERVIEW.

Recruiting international educators for international schools.



IES is a boutique recruitment firm staffed by dedicated, knowledgeable professionals who are here to serve your needs at every stage of the process. Your longterm success is our main priority. We are former teachers and administrators with a vision of uniting schools and educators who value inclusion and integrity.


We know the industry.

We respect your needs.

We deliver exceptional service. 



Job hunting can be a daunting experience – time consuming and stressful too. When it comes to finding the right position in the right school, many of us don’t know where to start or what is the best route. Should we attend a recruitment fair? Should we go with a reputable online platform? Should we form a professional relationship with a recruiting agent? Should we use word of mouth? While all of these are good avenues to pursue, it is sometimes advisable to have a recruiter that is looking out for your best interests and putting you in touch with the right people. We at IES have got you covered. We will not only introduce you to some reputable schools, but we will support you entirely throughout the recruitment process. Once you remove the guesswork and apply the IES personal touch, you have a sure formula for a happy and successful interview experience.


SOME INTERVIEW GUIDELINES TO GET YOU GOING:


1. Make a good first impression. Many interviews these days happen online. Whether or not you are having an in-person interview or an online interview, look your best! A nice smart jacket, clean shirt and professional-looking tie are a good start for men. Shave or at the very least neaten your facial hair. No recruiter wants to see you looking as though you just rolled out of bed.  When you look good, you perform better. So, make the effort. Plan your outfit. Ladies, a smart dress, or suit with some understated make up and jewelry can get you through the door. A fresh face and enthusiastic attitude are a silver bullet to success. Be on time! Look sharp!

 


2. Mind your body language - Sit up straight and look directly into the camera or at the panel. Make sure that you have good posture and that you are making eye contact with the interviewers. Check your sound and lighting before hand if your interview is online and make sure that you are in a quiet and non-distracting environment for the full duration of the interview. Nowadays,it is customary for most interviews to take place online. If you are preparing for an online interview, either via Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc. download the APP before hand and do a test run to make sure that everything is working properly. You don’t want to be fumbling during the interview. This too, gives the impression of being unprepared and doesn’t present you in a favorable light. Remember, that an interview is a two-way process, so check that everything is good from their side too. Once you have established a good connection and all the formalities and housekeeping are out of the way, the interview can commence.
 

At IES we are aware that sometimes things don’t go ahead as planned. If you book an appointment that for some reason you are unable to attend, do inform the school, your recruiter, or one of the team. Always be mindful of the fact that appointments are scheduled into a program for the day. A recruiter or the HR at the school will appreciate an email with a short explanatory note. This is not only polite, but it shows your commitment, and it will give you the opportunity to reschedule for a later time
 
3. Do your homework - be prepared. Schools and hiring agents are always on the lookout for teachers who are knowledgeable, interested and prepared for the interview. Do some research. Find out about the history of the school, its values, its ethos and its performance or rating. Most schools have established websites where you can find out this information easily online. Knowing a little more about the leadership and staff can also give you a good idea of the caliber of person they are looking for. Hiring good quality staff is not always a given and schools understand they could hit and miss. Know that they are really ‘sussing you out’ and assessing your suitability in the interview. When you are asked why you want to be employed here, impress them with your knowledge - express what you learned and make certain that they know that you think their students, their learning and teaching environment and their school, is the place you want to be. Don’t let your lack of preparation be the reason for their “we regret to inform you”. 


4. Show your interest – be curious and ask questions.  While this is normally an expectation in interviews, it is not good enough to ask questions just for the sake of it. Use your questions to find out more about the position, the school, the staff, and the desired location that you have earmarked and to demonstrate your genuine curiosity. Be strategic and show that you are active listening to the questions and the information that is being shared. It is possible and acceptable to interrupt the interviewer during the interview with a burning question and sometimes it is better when the interviewer feels that you are connected and engaging in a conversation between like-minded professionals. As much as they are looking for a good candidate, you are looking for a good school. Take what you have learned about the school and probe further.
 
When answering the questions, do so with confidence. It is here that you can show that you have really done a good job researching the school and its culture. It is here where you can really sell yourself and your abilities. When asking questions, limit the number to 3 or 4 max.
 

7 TEACHER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

 


 8 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO ASK THE PANEL
 
Questions could include:
a) What does a typical day at the school look like?
b) What is the student: teacher ratio and how would you describe the students at the school?
c) What is your discipline policy and what support structures are set up by the school?
d) What are the immediate priorities in this position?
e) What challenges will a teacher face in this position or by locating to a new country?
f) How is successful performance measured in the job?
g) What are the promotional prospects for the future?
h) What do YOU like most about working in the school?
 
5.  Follow up – Some housekeeping before you go.

a) Send a polite thank you email. This can be sent to the Head of school, Head of HR, or the hiring agent. This is a symbol of goodwill. It shows respect, interest, and availability for subsequent action that may follow and sets a positive tone. Keep it short, professional, and simple.
 
b) Follow the correct protocols before leaving. Remember to follow the correct protocols if you have decided to terminate your contract or if you are planning to leave your current position in the next year. Always give your current school a heads up by submitting a resignation letter, on time. While it may be tempting to email this to your immediate superior, it is sometimes more advisable [especially if you are on campus] to make an in-person call.

C) Honor the commitments of your current contract. If you are undecided about whether to leave or accept a position elsewhere, err on the side of caution. Remember that terminating a contract mid-way does not bode well for imminent prospects. While the current climate is unstable and this instability may have had a negative impact on our frame of mind and future expectations, try to honor your obligations first and foremost. Think about what you really want for yourself before making the leap. You also don’t want to be perceived as been the first one out the door when things become challenging.


BUT, if you are sure that you want to vacate your position and are still looking for your ideal school in the ideal location, don’t hesitate to get in touch. This is our drum call before year end. At IES we are committed to bringing the right jobs to you, at the right place and time. Send us your CV. You still have time. There are still many schools searching for the ideal candidates and there are many leadership and teaching positions for the 2022-2023 academic year available in choice locations in and around China. Make the call and get in touch.
Take a look at the list and see if there are any posts that might be of interest. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Anything is possible. Candidates are welcome to send your CVs to info@iesrecruit.com or Scan the QR code to complete your details.


POSITIONS FOR THE  2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR:


Leadership:

Head of Primary

Head of Secondary

Head of Design and Technology

Head of EAL

Head of English

Head of Math

Head of Arts

Head of Music

Director of College Counsellor

Director of Extended Learning 

 

Subject teachers in the following areas are welcome:

Math, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Design, Music, Arts, Drama, History, Geography, PE, Economics, English etc.

Primary Homeroom Teacher

Location: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong etc.



IES Mission & Vision


We endeavor to facilitate professional partnerships between international schools and educators. As such, we strive to offer transparency regarding schools and educators to help ensure ideal matches and the satisfaction of all of our clients. 


Our vision is to unite schools and education professionals with the common goal of building school communities that value safety, inclusion, and integrity and guiding students to become well-rounded lifelong learners and global citizens.