I understand the QSI interviews are quite long (i've heard 90 minutes or more) and very extensive. I am considering going to one of their many recruitment fairs.
Can anyone in here give me a heads up on what to expect? What should i be prepared for? What will they grill me on?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
QSI Interviews?
Just do your best. Remember that there are literally hundreds of international teaching jobs in really cool places! I go in to an interview with these thoughts; I am what I am and I don't put up a front to act like something I'm not. I may not get a job because of not "putting on a show", but my references and past performance speaks for me. I emphasize that I am a hard worker and talk about all of the training I've had, and how I've implemented this training into my classroom. People worry too much about interviews. If you are a good person and a good teacher - you will get a teaching job. Like I said, there are loads of teaching jobs in countries that are fascinating. When I talk with friends back home, they are in awe and almost jealous of all of the travel. I wish I would have found out about international teaching a long time ago. I would have been extremely interested if someone would have told me about it.
So go in to your interview with confidence! Let your past speak for you. Go in to the interview and emphasize what you have done, not what someone dreams about. Don't promise the world to them, and don't be one of those people who has done everything, and seen everything. Principals are looking for solid performance - not perfection - but someone who works hard, has done a good job in the past, and really tries to do a good job. Looks and first impressions are nice, but brute competence will get you a good job. It has for me! If you are a principal/director, you are looking for competence. You can't afford to hire Mr./Miss America if they are going to be dead weight on your staff, even if they are very pretty/cute/whatever. You have to go for staff that are going to do a good job. It's too hard to replace staff overseas, let alone the schools are usually too short-staffed, to be playing those kinds of games.
A sense of humor is also nice. Tell a humorous story (not embarrassing, but funny). A sense of humor goes a long way in an interview. It helps to lighten up the atmosphere and shows you can handle pressure.
I hope this helps!
So go in to your interview with confidence! Let your past speak for you. Go in to the interview and emphasize what you have done, not what someone dreams about. Don't promise the world to them, and don't be one of those people who has done everything, and seen everything. Principals are looking for solid performance - not perfection - but someone who works hard, has done a good job in the past, and really tries to do a good job. Looks and first impressions are nice, but brute competence will get you a good job. It has for me! If you are a principal/director, you are looking for competence. You can't afford to hire Mr./Miss America if they are going to be dead weight on your staff, even if they are very pretty/cute/whatever. You have to go for staff that are going to do a good job. It's too hard to replace staff overseas, let alone the schools are usually too short-staffed, to be playing those kinds of games.
A sense of humor is also nice. Tell a humorous story (not embarrassing, but funny). A sense of humor goes a long way in an interview. It helps to lighten up the atmosphere and shows you can handle pressure.
I hope this helps!
Yes the interviews. They want to explain that they are mastery learning and how they developed thier system. They give you a lot of back ground about themselves and the organization. They are really looking to see what kind of person you are and how much you like kids. They want nice people with some kind of moral backbone- say they don't care where it comes from. Some of the schools are very small and communities are small too. They really want to make sure you are a good fit, but the atmosphere is quite casual. If you go to qsi I would go to a smaller school. Above 100 kids, but not bigger than about 200 except maybe bratislava. As with anywhere ask if you can email someone from the proposed places to ask questions including cost of living, commute, air polution. it varies by location and changes. they guys interviewing don't know everything. Also it is great you can do an internal transfer after 2 years with no interviews. All schools have a different feel, but the curriculum, grading etc. is the same. a good website for world capitals info and living is talesmag.com. i agree with the other response, be yourself.