New to this

[xabiachica]

speaking of skype interviews...... Why you reject!?

[FionaW]

Thanks you for all the advice and warnings. I have already had a couple of Skype interviews and have been told that this is the norm now which I accept. The job is a teaching post at a very reputable school. (Done my research) and with time scales etc I would not expect there to be an opportunity to visit first. I know the area (admittedly several years ago) and will only sign up for a year. I am not planning to uproot totally, there is only me to consider but will keep a base in the UK should it all go pear shaped.
Thank you for the valuable info re contracts etc.

[brocher]

Originally Posted by Cazzy

My son has just got a graduate job in the UK via a skype interview, told him there and then that he had the job! They seem to be the way forward.

Fiona, do not be alarmed by some previous posts. As Cazzy says, Skype interviews are increasingly becoming the norm, especially for any industry/ profession who may regularly recruit from overseas.

Likewise, it is becoming very common to be offered a job either during the Skype interview, or shortly after by email, with no face to face contact. Many jobs will have 10, 20, maybe more equally suitable applicants and they are just not gonna play ball if you start demanding flights, etc. - that's just how it is nowadays.

As has been already said, you must be absolutely sure you have a solid offer and a proper contract on the table before you go planning any big moves to another country. When you have these things you may choose to go look see for your own peace off mind.

It would be helpful if you could give us some idea what kind of job you are being interviewed for. If for instance you are contemplating moving to a well known ccmpany, you may be quite confident to move without a prior visit. For some other jobs, you can learn quite a lot from the company website and google maps help with the area. There are even some other professions who have forums where you can learn a lot about specific employers, general conditions and pitfalls in certain countries, and so on.

For the Skype interview itself - dress smartly, make sure you will be visible in the monitor and easily heard, turn your phone off, have anything you may need to show them close at hand, also have a pen, paper and a list of any questions. Make sure there are no pictures behind you that make it look like you have a tree or something growing out of your head; likewise they don't want to see your knickers drying on the radiator or last night's empty bottle of wine lying at your feet!


Good luck!

[brocher]

Originally Posted by FionaW

Thanks you for all the advice and warnings. I have already had a couple of Skype interviews and have been told that this is the norm now which I accept. The job is a teaching post at a very reputable school. (Done my research) and with time scales etc I would not expect there to be an opportunity to visit first. I know the area (admittedly several years ago) and will only sign up for a year. I am not planning to uproot totally, there is only me to consider but will keep a base in the UK should it all go pear shaped.
Thank you for the valuable info re contracts etc.

We must have been writing at the same time!

Are you aware that several, very reputable schools in Spain, have much poorer reputations when it comes to how they treat their staff?

Several will attempt to get you there on a years contract and if you're not careful, you will find that they will actually only give you a 10 month contract - no pay over the summer, you will be expected to sign on the dole! Some may even avoid trying to give you any contract. Problems can also occur with being expected to do a lot of extra hours, including summer school, for no extra money.

'Course not all are like this!

[FionaW]

I have already had a telephone discussion and was made aware of the 10 month contract situation. This is not the case with this job but it was with a previous one which I rejected. The year contract actually suits me as this is my first job overseas for many years so it could be seen as a toe in the water. I have found that most independent schools expect a certain amount of extra curricular stuff anyway so I factor that in. My main concerns are really about living costs and sorting out things like telephones and transport. Do I have to take another driving test?because I am sure I would fail! Silly things like that!

[brocher]

Originally Posted by FionaW

I have already had a telephone discussion and was made aware of the 10 month contract situation. This is not the case with this job but it was with a previous one which I rejected. The year contract actually suits me as this is my first job overseas for many years so it could be seen as a toe in the water. I have found that most independent schools expect a certain amount of extra curricular stuff anyway so I factor that in. My main concerns are really about living costs and sorting out things like telephones and transport. Do I have to take another driving test?because I am sure I would fail! Silly things like that!

Get the job and just keep asking each and every question - you'll get plenty help. There are a lot of threads on the first page about living costs, moving costs, official stuff - have a browse to get you going.

Living costs - some things are a little cheaper, some a little more. If you budget pretty much the same as UK overall, you'll be OK.

[dunmovin]

Originally Posted by brocher

Fiona, do not be alarmed by some previous posts. As Cazzy says, Skype interviews are increasingly becoming the norm, especially for any industry/ profession who may regularly recruit from overseas.

Likewise, it is becoming very common to be offered a job either during the Skype interview, or shortly after by email, with no face to face contact. Many jobs will have 10, 20, maybe more equally suitable applicants and they are just not gonna play ball if you start demanding flights, etc. - that's just how it is nowadays.

As has been already said, you must be absolutely sure you have a solid offer and a proper contract on the table before you go planning any big moves to another country. When you have these things you may choose to go look see for your own peace off mind.

It would be helpful if you could give us some idea what kind of job you are being interviewed for. If for instance you are contemplating moving to a well known ccmpany, you may be quite confident to move without a prior visit. For some other jobs, you can learn quite a lot from the company website and google maps help with the area. There are even some other professions who have forums where you can learn a lot about specific employers, general conditions and pitfalls in certain countries, and so on.

For the Skype interview itself - dress smartly, make sure you will be visible in the monitor and easily heard, turn your phone off, have anything you may need to show them close at hand, also have a pen, paper and a list of any questions. Make sure there are no pictures behind you that make it look like you have a tree or something growing out of your head; likewise they don't want to see your knickers drying on the radiator or last night's empty bottle of wine lying at your feet!


Good luck!

sorry but I have to disagree. a skype interview can SO false(could a sheet of plasterboard as a background,made to look good)

Do Not commit to anything until you have done a look/see for yourself, if they want you, they will pay to bring you over you then know you are a viable candidate for the job and it's not something that is going to vanish one night