Interview for TEFL Job in Istanbul

Interview for TEFL Job in Istanbul

Istanbul is Good.

After a week of walking around Istanbul, chatting with a good couchsurfing host, and knowing that there is an English language school on almost every block where I can apply for work, I have the impression that this city is awesome.

I knew that I came here for something.
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Wade from Vagabond Journey.com
in Istanbul, Turkey- February 13, 2009
Travelogue — Travel Photos — Travel Guide
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I had an interview today at an English school. I was not expecting to be interviewed, as I was just dropping off my CV and inquiring if they were hiring any TEFL teachers. But I was immediately sat down with the manager, and realized that I had not really had a face to face job interview since I was mohawk wearing 18 year old trying to get a job at a Blimpies sub shop in Connecticut. I also realized that I had no clue what I was doing, and became oddly aware of the fact that I looked like shit.

Yes, my jeans were torn to shreds, my Carhartt jacket was ragged, my face bearded, and my red flannel shirt dirty. I was not a sight for an employeer to behold, but I remined myself that I am from New York and a native speaker of English with a university degree and TEFL certification.

I was qualified to do the work, even though my appearance did not give this fact away readily.

I began talking with the intent of making myself look good, and became oddly aware that the manager of the English school did not understand what I was saying. I tried hard to speak slowly and clearly, but my interviewer just thought that my accent was a touch funny.

“Yeah, I am speaking like a robot so that your untrained ears can understand me,” I thought but did not say.

I then became aware that the mananger was looking at my earlobes. I usually wear large gadge ear spools in my lobes, but I took them out immediately before I walked into the school in a pitiable attempt at looking presentable.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” the manager began, “but what happened to your ears?”

My ship was sunk.

“The holes,” which are large enough to stick more than a thumb through, “are for earrings.”

“Did you have to get surgery to make them?”

“No, I did it myself with a paint brush.”

Mayan Ear Spools

I suppose my modern day attempt to look like a Mayan prince had blown my cover: I am hopelessly awkward when it comes to real life interaction; I do not posses even the slightest trace of a professional inkling, nor can I pretend that I do.

On to the next English school, for there are tons and tons in this city to embarrass myself in.

Or maybe I should pack in my clean-handed aspirations and make a run for the nearest archaeology survey firm. Now there would be a song and a dance that I can jig to.

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Travel Work and Employment Abroad

Interview for TEFL Job in Istanbul