Interview Questions
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Originally posted by Mospeada:to counter this...
one must be able to balance between remuneration and the job satisfaction...just like how a teacher would to juggle between the role of a teacher and a mentor to the student. I am sure u would agree with me...
now we got the interviewer cornered
I remember got once I asked about the working hours...then my current boss told me during the interview, you need to work very long hours, are you prepared to do that?
Then i said, yes of course but working long hours will also cause me to fall sick as I am only a human being, then when I am sick I won't be able to focus on my job and give my 100% effort -
no lah...Originally posted by rainee:
I remember got once I asked about the working hours...then my current boss told me during the interview, you need to work very long hours, are you prepared to do that?
Then i said, yes of course but working long hours will also cause me to fall sick as I am only a human being, then when I am sick I won't be able to focus on my job and give my 100% effort
what i will say is that...i will give my 101% during the 8 hours and will try to accomplish as must as i can -
Originally posted by DeadPoet:
Thanks for the pointer
What are your salary expectations?
This is one of the hardest questions, particularly for those with little experience. The first thing to do before going to your interview is to research the salary range in your field to get an idea of what you should be making. Steer clear of discussing salary specifics before receiving a job offer. Let the interviewer know that you will be open to discussing fair compensation when the time comes. If pressed for a more specific answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number.
Good luck!!!
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But hor, I don't really know what is the range of salary for teachers in Singapore, esp for those teaching primary level one...anyone wans to tell me here? Or can do it thru PM also -
i will ask whats long first.Originally posted by rainee:
I remember got once I asked about the working hours...then my current boss told me during the interview, you need to work very long hours, are you prepared to do that?
Then i said, yes of course but working long hours will also cause me to fall sick as I am only a human being, then when I am sick I won't be able to focus on my job and give my 100% effort
then will say i'm willing, but hopefully my being more efficient will allow for less OT which would reduce overheads for the company too. -
hmm the satisfaction will be different?Originally posted by Mospeada:there is also job satisfaction when working in the corporate world...like when the company achieves good returns....good profitability..
ur answer will get her cornered lah
I can work in a corporate world if I want to...I got offers before to work in banks, etc but somehow I don't think that kinda life is right for me...
I want to work with people, communicate with them, share my knowledge with them, motivate them to think that education is important in their life (some of my students think that studying is a waste of time lolz) and also helping them to achieve their goals in life.
I think this is what I want and is meant to do -
if it means having to resort to telling white lies, by all means do it. for example if the interviewer ask u topics about yourself, it's ok to say something interesting even-though u never did it before, so as to make the conversation lively.
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ask him/her back politely "why do u think so?" then look at him/her and wait for the answer. Really wait. Dun open your mouth.Originally posted by rainee:hehe great...
Last time I also said I am looking for an opportunity to grow in a company wor, then the person who interviewed me that time said I was too ambitious
They'll ask you another question, usually a simple one to finish it off, unless they have a prepared list and must finish asking all of them. -
alternatively:Originally posted by Mospeada:to counter this...
one must be able to balance between remuneration and the job satisfaction...just like how a teacher would to juggle between the role of a teacher and a mentor to the student. I am sure u would agree with me...
now we got the interviewer cornered
Haha! You have a great sense of humor! The purpose of a teacher is to educate, nuture the next generation so that they grow after every session. However most humans beings are selfish. Much as I want to help other people, I'll need to help myself first. I'm sure *insert name of school* agrees on a fair and competitive compensation towards candidates who are passionate and can value to the school.
now, you didn't get the interviewer cornered, and you praise the school, and indirectly but not overly praise yourself. -
ehhhh... like not very good answer...Originally posted by hisoka:"well, that would be true only if there aren't other places offering better packages like better pay but the same amount of satisfaction. besides, survival is a very subjective issue, other than jsut my food and shleter there is still savings, insurance, planning for future etc to be taken into account for survivability in the long term"
The interviewer wants to know what you can give him, and how can he justify the salary you want. Telling him your expenses, cost wun help you. -
Wah!! sounds very fake leh.Originally posted by Mospeada:no lah...
what i will say is that...i will give my 101% during the 8 hours and will try to accomplish as must as i can
The answer I wanna hear when I'm interviewing is "Yes. I'm prepared." -
Whoa!! You'll have to be very careful with you tone if u say the above. If i'm the interviewer, i'll be thinking:Originally posted by rainee:hmm the satisfaction will be different?
I can work in a corporate world if I want to...I got offers before to work in banks, etc but somehow I don't think that kinda life is right for me...
I want to work with people, communicate with them, share my knowledge with them, motivate them to think that education is important in their life (some of my students think that studying is a waste of time lolz) and also helping them to achieve their goals in life.
I think this is what I want and is meant to do
1. knn you trying to show off you have many offers before and its my loss if i pass u over!!!??
2. second, so what if after a few months you decide this is not what u want, you quit to something else...since u gave up offers in the bank and came here with a most likely lower pay?!!
u opened yourself up to more questions on ur sincerity and dependability. -
no la, the part in red I will never mention it to an interviewerOriginally posted by airgrinder:Whoa!! You'll have to be very careful with you tone if u say the above. If i'm the interviewer, i'll be thinking:
1. knn you trying to show off you have many offers before and its my loss if i pass u over!!!??
2. second, so what if after a few months you decide this is not what u want, you quit to something else...since u gave up offers in the bank and came here with a most likely lower pay?!!
u opened yourself up to more questions on ur sincerity and dependability. I just said it here nia 
I know how to be tactful during interviews one la, the reason why I gave up the offers in the bank is cos I think I will not have interest to do whatever they are offering me...that time first time applying for job ma, so anything also I hentam -
if I say I am prepared to work 24 hours a day doesn't that sound even more fake?Originally posted by airgrinder:Wah!! sounds very fake leh.
The answer I wanna hear when I'm interviewing is "Yes. I'm prepared." -
not fake leh...that's what i say and practice lehOriginally posted by airgrinder:Wah!! sounds very fake leh.
The answer I wanna hear when I'm interviewing is "Yes. I'm prepared."
i even tell my boss on my 1st day of work... -
no actually the question was so he can pay you minimal and you will still be willing to take up the job. not how much are you worth paying for.Originally posted by airgrinder:ehhhh... like not very good answer...
The interviewer wants to know what you can give him, and how can he justify the salary you want. Telling him your expenses, cost wun help you. -
Got back from the interview two days ago...
Interview only lasted 10 minutes At first I thought it was only that way for me, turned up it was that way for everyone else as well...they only asked 3-5 questions
First question they asked was about what I used to teach/am teaching now. Then asked me about the challenges of teaching in Malaysia.
Then the differences between Malaysia education and Singapore education. This one quite hard, as I have to come out with a difference that doesn't give a bad impression of Malaysia, and yet at the same time relevant.
After that asked me about the challenges I think I would face when teaching primary school students, and how would I go about to overcome those.
Lastly, asked if I am willing to relocate to Spore if selected.
That's all. Will know the result in 2 to 3 weeks time -
so how did u fare during the interview?Originally posted by rainee:Got back from the interview two days ago...
Interview only lasted 10 minutes At first I thought it was only that way for me, turned up it was that way for everyone else as well...they only asked 3-5 questions
First question they asked was about what I used to teach/am teaching now. Then asked me about the challenges of teaching in Malaysia.
Then the differences between Malaysia education and Singapore education. This one quite hard, as I have to come out with a difference that doesn't give a bad impression of Malaysia, and yet at the same time relevant.
After that asked me about the challenges I think I would face when teaching primary school students, and how would I go about to overcome those.
Lastly, asked if I am willing to relocate to Spore if selected.
That's all. Will know the result in 2 to 3 weeks time -
Just tell in quit to join a more challenging workplace.
To upgrade you capablility..
Singapore is a gate-way cities to many places so, by working here it allow many to access to different challenger faces in the future..
I am just suggesting...
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I dunno, but I seem to make the interviewers laughed a lot, esp towards the endOriginally posted by Mospeada:so how did u fare during the interview? I dunno whether they are laughing out of sarcasm or wat 
Cos they asked me if I am willing to relocate to Singapore if I am selected, I said yes, then they asked why am I so sure? I said I am looking forward to building my future and career in Spore. They asked if I have any relative here. I can't think of anyone, so I just said my "husband-to-be" is here Then they all said perfect and started laughing lor The main interviewer even started talking about some Ch 8 show lolz
When they asked me about the challenges about teaching the younger students, I said it is about engaging their attention and interest. Then how to overcome? Said I will come up with interactive lessons and also include some kinda educational games that will allow them to learn and enjoy their lesson at the same time.
I think the only part where I stumbled a bit was the part when they asked me about the differences between Malaysia and Singapore education. The only thing I could think of at that time was about the different languages used. But since Ihave been teaching English all along, I told them I am comfortable teaching in English medium classes. -
i would say u stand a pretty good chance...Originally posted by rainee:I dunno, but I seem to make the interviewers laughed a lot, esp towards the end I dunno whether they are laughing out of sarcasm or wat
Cos they asked me if I am willing to relocate to Singapore if I am selected, I said yes, then they asked why am I so sure? I said I am looking forward to building my future and career in Spore. They asked if I have any relative here. I can't think of anyone, so I just said my "husband-to-be" is here Then they all said perfect and started laughing lor The main interviewer even started talking about some Ch 8 show lolz
When they asked me about the challenges about teaching the younger students, I said it is about engaging their attention and interest. Then how to overcome? Said I will come up with interactive lessons and also include some kinda educational games that will allow them to learn and enjoy their lesson at the same time.
I think the only part where I stumbled a bit was the part when they asked me about the differences between Malaysia and Singapore education. The only thing I could think of at that time was about the different languages used. But since Ihave been teaching English all along, I told them I am comfortable teaching in English medium classes.
remember to join outing when u are in singapore.. -
interviewer: where do u see yourself 5 years from now?
me: to be the 1 interviewing u...
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hehe sure...once i m in spore then it will be easier for me to join u guysOriginally posted by Mospeada:i would say u stand a pretty good chance...
remember to join outing when u are in singapore..
But I heard hor teachers got lots of things to do one, and not all pertaining to teaching... -
it depend what kind of teacher u wanna be loh...Originally posted by rainee:hehe sure...once i m in spore then it will be easier for me to join u guys
But I heard hor teachers got lots of things to do one, and not all pertaining to teaching...
these days, many teachers take it as a job nia...and there is life after work for them -
haha yea, but most will give tuition after school...Originally posted by Mospeada:it depend what kind of teacher u wanna be loh...
these days, many teachers take it as a job nia...and there is life after work for them
teachers need to take back things to do at home one la, like marking papers, admin stuff, etc... -
Hello rainee.Originally posted by rainee:haha yea, but most will give tuition after school...
teachers need to take back things to do at home one la, like marking papers, admin stuff, etc...
You may want to read this when you are free to prepare yourself for teaching life. I dun know if it's fully accurate, but I figure it's more or less like that.
http://stressed-teacher.blogspot.com/