ELS Language Centers Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – Was emailed about a month after I applied to a Craigslist ad. I was given a brief phone interview, asking about my experience, availability, and location, and then was asked to bring in sample lesson plans to the campus. The interviewer was very friendly and had me briefly walk through my sample lesson plans. I was told a bit about the school and how it worked, and then was offered a position at the interview.

Negotiation Details – I was very clear about my availability, since this is a substituting position. I also asked about the wages and how they work. I was told very clearly that I was being paid the same hourly rate as full-time instructors and that the company had specific rates that they paid based on educational background (a BA with no TESOL certificate, a BA with TESOL certificate, and an MA holder). Not much to negotiate, but feel free to ask and be open.

Interview Details – Ad on Craigslist, sent a resume, got a phone call, asked to interview that afternoon. I met the next morning, was hired.

Negotiation Details – none

Interview Details – I was brought in after submitting a resume via a current employee at the center who heard about the job opening. I had a phone interview, and then an in-person with both the Center Director and the District Director.

Negotiation Details – There was no negotiation, outside of the fact that I was due to graduate college in a few months and my permanent position was contingent upon that.

Interview Details – The Academic Director called me and said that she would be out of town but that as soon as she got back, she would call me and set up an interview. The day finally came and I met her in her office. It was my first job interview for an ESL teaching position and she simply asked me about my qualifications. She hired me right away at the interview.

Negotiation Details – I was not able to negotiate. They had a fixed rate based on your credentials and years of experience and they didn't deviate from it.

Interview Details – A lot of grammar questions were asked. Be prepared for any grammar topic.

Interview Details – I submitted my resume to ELS and received a form email back with some information. Several weeks later, I received another email asking if I would still like to be in the database. After sending an email back stating that I was indeed still interested, I heard nothing for another month.

About 10 minutes before I was scheduled for a phone interview for another position (with better pay and benefits), I received a call from ELS. The woman asked in a rushed tone if I had time for a phone interview right then. When I told her that I was expecting a phone interview in the next few minutes, she asked me if I could come in for an in-person interview immediately. Well, no, I can't, because you see I'm waiting for a phone call, and as it was late afternoon and I don't live near the ELS office, I wouldn't be able to make it. I apologized and offered to come in the next day or whenever she was available in the next week. She said she would call me the following day, and when I asked approximately what time would work best for her, she told me "sometime after 1pm", like she's the cable guy.

Of course, she never called. I emailed her the following day, apologizing again for being unable to come in for an interview the previous day, but noting that I was available and excited about the position. She never responded by email or by phone. I assume she just skipped to the next person who was immediately available.

All and all, seemed very unprofessional. Who gives candidates absolutely no notice for interviews? Seems like the biggest factor in getting hired is sitting by the phone in case someone decides to contact you two months after you submitted your resume.

Interview Details – Called back and forth

Came in for interview

A bit of a cat and mouse game - waiting for background check. She was being "'cagey"' now I see why. They really were not sure they had a job available - they are never sure. They dont know till last minute - but they dont'tell you that until the day comes and after you've moved for this job you have no job. They want to cover their classes and have teqachers jsut in case - but in reality they never know and dont'tell you that. This way they are covered if they need you but if they dont'they could not care less if they jsut tell you there is no class. Don't ever move for or leave a job for this company.

In interview she asked me some grammar points, and general standard interview questions.

Negotiation Details – It was ok - she was sort of like avoiding me and I could not see why - I thought she was busy. Finally I found out what my pay was at the last minute. Very disorganized and unprofessional. One teacher there todl me she foudn out her pay on her first paycheck. Another said he found out the first day of class. Even though they kept asking.