What to ask a potential employer

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chemteacher101
Posts: 112
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:57 pm

What to ask a potential employer

Post by chemteacher101 »

I'm pretty sure there used to be an old thread where people contributed questions they ask potential employers. Does anyone have a link to it by any chance? Or if not, would anyone care to share things you would ask a school when interviewing and considering employment?
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

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Post by PsyGuy »

1) Most interviews will start with a question summarizing your resume, and will build from there with a few expanding question.
2) Youll get a question about your teaching strategy which is the time to indicate that you are familiar with their curriculum (research their curriculum).
3) How do you work with parents and others (teachers).
4) About this time youll get a question referring to how well you adapt to new situations and changes.
5) Lastly, a question about your outside activities and hobbies. At this time youll get a question about your spouse and children.
6) If there is any time left youll have an opportunity to ask a few question probably only two. They should be specific to the school and the job.


Contract wise you want to discuss the following:
1) Salary: How much, and how is it broken done? If the school includes an optional gratuity is the salary based on the maximum amount. Is salary annualized or just over the contract periods? What are the taxes and deductions? Whens your first pay day, and are advances available?

2) Contact hours: Often overlooked, but how many teaching hours and how many contact hours are required? Whats the daily schedule, and can you leave after your finished? Whats your extra curricular load, and weekend/holiday requirements? When is your first day of reporting (many teachers start well before the first day of school).

3) Insurance: What kind of insurance is there (National or Private)? what do they cover and how much? Where can you (have to) get treatment? Do you or your family have serious pre-existing conditions? Whats the for family, etc?

4) Housing: Do they provide housing or a housing allowance? If an allowance, when is it available? Does the school "Guarantee" for the teacher (this means you wont have to pay deposits and other fees). If an allowance is there temporary housing (a hotel, etc) when you arrive, and for how long? Are utilities included? Does the school provide a leasing agent or service to the teacher?
If its provided housing HOW is it furnished (furnished meaning different things in different regions). If you have a large family is housing available, and how common/expensive is it? How far is the housing from school? Can you keep a pet in provided housing?

5) Airfare: Does the school pay for just employees or dependents as well. Do they provide tickets directly, or are you reimbursed? If reimbursed, how long does it take, and whats the limit?

6) Visa and Documentation: Does the school pay for visas, documents and medical exams?

7) PD: What Professional Development allowances and training does/will the school provide?

8) Allowances: Whether called shipping, moving, relocation or settling in allowances these are basically a pool of money for when you first arrive. Which ones does the school provide, and how much? Do you need to provide receipts and when are you reimbursed?

9) Tuition: You want a tuition waiver for each child attending. Some schools do that some have limits, traditionally its a 1:1 ratio of employees to tuition waivers. Schools can and do bend on this, but anything more then a 1:2 ratio and your going to be frustrated.

10) Spouses: If your bringing a trailing spouse what "opportunities" are available that the school can provide?

11) Clauses: What are the exit clauses, or more commonly referred to as probationary period? How can the school get out of the contract, and how can you get out of it? Whats the contract length (most are 2 years, some are 1 year, and admin positions are commonly 3 years). Whats the dress code? Is the school faith based, and if so whats the "code of conduct"?
reisgio
Posts: 206
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:17 am

Re: What to ask a potential employer

Post by reisgio »

I think asking the head if he is autistic is wise and completely fair game.
Skablictady
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:54 pm

Re: What to ask a potential employer

Post by Skablictady »

chemteacher101 wrote:
> I'm pretty sure there used to be an old thread where people contributed
> questions they ask potential employers. Does anyone have a link to it by
> any chance? Or if not, would anyone care to share things you would ask a
> school when interviewing and considering employment?

Hello ChemTeacher 101. If I may suggest:

What or personal traits & professional characteristics have made your current/outgoing Chemistry teacher highly successful at your school?
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