How to Ace Your Foreign Teaching Job Interview

For most aspiring job applicants they are still in their home countries when applying for teaching jobs overseas. Therefore, they will typically need to take part in a video interview using video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams. One important aspect to consider during a video interview is your immediate surroundings, ensuring they are presentable.

As you will be using a camera, the interviewer will usually see you along with a portion of what is behind or beside you. Participating in an interview with your messy bed and poster-covered walls clearly visible is probably not the best way to present yourself as a professional candidate. Aim to position yourself in a neutral or tidy location instead, with good lighting and minimal chances of sound disturbances.

Hiring a candidate for a teaching position is often a time-consuming process that also incurs costs for both parties - for you and for the company or organisation in question. Therefore, it is not unusual for them to want to briefly test your skills and knowledge to confirm that you indeed have the necessary competencies or possess the aptitude to fulfil the teaching role offered.

Do not be surprised if you are asked to explain certain teaching methodologies or concepts, or even to deliver a brief mock teaching session to your interviewer, who will pretend to be a student. Instead, refresh your knowledge and skills gained from your experience, TEFL, or other similar teaching qualifications, and demonstrate to the interviewer that you have what it takes.

Just like in a typical face-to-face interview, body language is equally—if not more—important to pay attention to. Many studies suggest that around 65% of communication is nonverbal. Since a webcam usually only shows your upper body, you are somewhat limited in using your body language to its full effect.

As a compromise, try to make the body language of your upper body as positive as possible. Sit up straight, keep your hands on the desk (if they are visible on camera), maintain ‘eye contact’ by looking directly at the camera lens, and remember to give the interviewer your best smile from time to time! Every little detail counts when you’re aiming to ace the interview for that teaching job you want.

Like traditional interviews, most interviewers will be curious to know why you want to join their particular organisation or company, or to see what you already know about them. Don’t be the person who looks stunned, like a deer caught in the headlights, when faced with such questions. Instead, do some research beforehand on the organisation or company you wish to join, and get an overall understanding of their core values, philosophies, and operations.

For bonus points, try to prepare a couple of questions yourself and aim to make this part of the interview more of a natural conversation rather than a simple Q&A session. Furthermore, because the teaching job you are applying for will be in a foreign country, you will most likely have a conversation with your interviewer about why you want to teach specifically in that country. Use that opportunity to show your enthusiasm and personal interests, whether they be culture, language, food, opportunities, travel, or similar.

With these tips in mind, you will have a very good chance of acing your foreign teaching job interview.

Good luck!