April 17 2014, Thursday
Job applicants
I have been interviewing teachers these few days. Once the vacancy advertisement
is out, we get lots of applications. Most of the applicants are fresh
graduates. Their application letters are of almost the same format and so are
their looks because they are all dressed in black suits. There is a general
lack of personality. It seems these days young people are more comfortable
being one of the mass rather than being different and standing out!
When reading application letters, I am very serious and read each
letter. That takes hours of work. Then I short-list interesting ones for
interview. What do I mean by interesting ones? What kind of applicants can
attract my attention? Here are just a few examples.
One applicant quitted her private tutoring and spent four years to
do a degree programme majoring in English and a one-year full-time teacher
training. She came for interview and
responded to my questions gingerly though still able to demonstrate her
passion.
Then there is a fresh graduate with coach certification in all kinds
of sports. His academic performance is not outstanding. He did not graduate
from esteemed secondary school but his enthusiasm for sports is written all
over his face!
One more interesting applicant – a law graduate applying to be a
teacher! At interview, she explained that she studied law to satisfy her mother
and that she did not even attend her own graduation ceremony. She described how
unpleasant her internship at law firms was and expounded that she wanted to be
with children and pursue a career in education.
