Interview 1: Fit and Personality 

This is the first interview of TEF's two-interview policy. This interview should last about thirty minutes. It is designed to see if the applicant has the sort of personality that exudes professionalism, reliability, cultural awareness, tact, and congeniality. The interviewer should reach out to the applicant via email to set up the interview. Make sure you put the interview in the Google TEF HR Calendar, so TEF staff is aware of when the interview will be happening.

Before the interview

1. Review the applicant's online application on TEF website, CV (Google Drive HR folder) and Covering Letter (Google Drive HR folder). 
2. Set up a TEF evaluation form for the applicant by following these steps:

   1. Open the template of the Google Doc evaluation form.

   2. Make a copy for the applicant and title it "Interview 1 Evaluation Form [applicant's first name] [applicant's last name]."
   3. Fill out the evaluation form during or immediately after the interview. 
3. Open a blank Google Doc for you to take notes on the applicant's responses to your questions. Title it "Interview 1 Questions & Responses [applicant's first name] [applicant's last name]." (More on interview questions in the next section below.)

During the interview

Firstly, ask the applicant about his/her availability to teach! This is super important to know. Then, choose questions to ask the applicant during Interview 1 from the list down below. Don't be afraid of asking difficult questions! Please take notes of his/her responses in a Google Doc during the interview:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you apply for this job?

• What jobs have you had? How were they obtained and why did you leave?

• What do you know about TEF?
• What do you look for in an employer?
• Do you prefer working with others or by yourself?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• How do you learn new things? 
• Tell me about a time when you had to teach someone something (not necessarily ESL-related).
  • Anecdotes and specific examples can be really telling about someone's attitude, personality, etc.
• Have you ever had to help parent with an IT problem?
• Tell me about a time when you had to adapt your natural style.
  • Anecdotes and specific examples can be really telling about someone's attitude, personality, etc.​​​​​​​
• Can you give me the name of four people whose careers you have fundamentally improved?
  • This question is a good measure of the applicant's character. If the applicant lists only people of superior/senior positions, it may mean that the applicant only helps others if there is something in it for him/her. On the other hand, if the applicant lists people of lower positions, it may mean that the applicant is willing to help people of a lower status even if there isn't anything in it for him/her. 
• How would you respond to a student when you disagree about a topic? The student sounds racist, sexist, etc.?
• How did your previous employers treat you?
  • Watch for bad-mouthing or signs of discord or trouble.
• What kind of people would you rather not work with?
• What kind of energy level do you feel you have?
• Do you like routine work?

• What causes you stress in a work environment?

• What kind of training do you feel you’d need if we offered you the position?

• Why should we hire you?

• If I were to contact your former employer, what kind of reference do you think they would give me?

After the interview

Please share both the evaluation form and your Google Doc with the applicant's responses in TEF HR Skype thread and Google Drive HR folder under "Interview 1."  

If the interviewer has any doubts or reservations about the applicant, the interview process should stop here and the applicant should not be granted a second interview. 

If the interviewer views the applicant as being fit for TEF, he/she should ask the second interviewer to set up the second interview. Instructions for Interview 2 follow.