This is true for any career, not just ESL, but I get the feeling more people aren’t asking enough (or any) questions during their interview. Perhaps they’re too eager to get into Japan, or they’re desperate for a new job before their current contract runs out.
However, asking questions during the interview can save you from joining a company that you won’t mesh well with or, even worse, a black company.
**I thought we could all share what we think are some good questions to ask during interviews.**
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1. *”What does a typical day look like working at this school?”*
They should have told you this already but if they didn’t then you have to ask. Don’t take a job if you don’t even know what the job is going to be!
2. *”What was your school’s response to COVID-19?”*
This can get you some insight on their adaptability. Especially with a potential monkeypox pandemic on the way, you may not want to get involved with a school that lost 60% of their students during covid times.
3. *”Why is this position available?”*
Possibly the most important question, and one you should always ask. Is the company expanding or is someone leaving? Would it be ok with the school if you could have a word with the person you’ll be taking over for? (For the last one: If you are on-sight at any time before you take the job, I would find a chance to talk in private with a current employee or the person leaving. ALWAYS.)
I once asked this question and was told that the teacher wants to go back to her country. I met the teacher the very next day and she told me she was being given unpaid overtime and being ignored. I finished the interview just to not arouse suspicion and get the female teacher in trouble and did not take the job afterwards when offered.
4. *”How many years do you allow teachers to recontract for?”*
Unfortunately, this is a must. Many schools will only keep a teacher for 3-4 years because you can ask for permanent employment after five years. Don’t get blindsided by this after you settle down in an area.
5. *”What are the prospects for advancement/raises within this school/company?”*
Don’t be surprised if small companies don’t have any promotion opportunities, but this question should also include any opportunities for raises. Most jobs pay very little at the start, but some will raise your pay every year depending on your performance. (Make sure you also know how your “performance” would be evaluated if this is the case!)
6. *”What is the best and the hardest part of working for this school?”*
Most (good) companies should be more than happy to share what they think you should be ready for.
7. *”When can I expect to hear from you?”*
Don’t get trapped into being stringed along by a company for months. A good company will be open with you about how long it will take to decide — and it shouldn’t be more than a week or two. I once interviewed for a large dispatch in early December and they said I would hear from them before winter break. I did not. I immediately withdrew my application and took another job.
8. *”Is there anything about my resume you would like me to clarify more?”*
It’s nice to give them another chance to ask any questions. Maybe they forgot something! It also shows that you’re open and willing to talk about it all.
5 comments
I also like to clarify health insurance setups.
You can also ask if they have ever given seishain status to a foreigner before. Actions speak louder than words and if it is possible after 5 years or whatever but they have none that means everyone quits for “some reason”.
Definitely true, but also remember that people lie in interviews. Just like a guy who barely finished Genki can claim to be N1-level, a company can tell you one thing, but do something completely different. I was told a lot of things in interviews that ended up being exaggerations or outright lies. In fact, I’m currently job hunting because my school claimed to give teachers 3 hours of prep per day, but lately we have been lucky to get 30 minutes. And my last company promised me insurance after one year, but fell through “Because of the pandemic.”
So if it’s not in your contract, do not trust it.
I would add:
*9. What materials and textbooks do you use? Can teachers supplement those?*
*10. Is there a particular method the school prescribes? Do teachers have freedom in the classroom to experiment with their own ideas, or is there a set lesson format?*
These are the questions you need to ask if you know something about teaching and don’t want the unqualified know-nothings in charge to dictate to you how to teach.
And to check that the school follows labor law, you need to ask:
*11. Is the training paid? Is preparation paid? Are meetings paid?*
*12. What are the school holidays? How many paid holidays do you offer? What happens when a teacher must call in sick?*
13. *Does the school contribute to health insurance and pension?*
And obviously,
14. *What is the salary?*
Of course, if you ask a lot of these questions you likely won’t get the job, since most schools don’t like it when you ask these things as it shows you know too much and will likely be a problem for them to manage.
These are wonderful questions – thank you for sharing them!
Great advice. 👍👍👍
As a recruiter, if candidates asked these kind of questions, I will respect them more as it illustrates a proactive and communicative attitude. Good post OP.