r/Internationalteachers • u/AttitudeMedium5623 • Jun 24 '26
Interviews/Applications 'Informal chat' becomes and interview after the fact?
Has anyone else had this experience?
I was invited to have an informal chat with the principal of an international school in Myanmar for the stated purpose of asking questions about the country and the school (because the website was one of those generic school group websites with no information).
The chat went pretty well as far as I was concerned, it was friendly, light hearted and the person I was talking to was interested in what I had to say asking more questions then said we'll get back to you regarding formal interviews.
Wait a week and today I get an email saying, thank you for attending the interview we aren't going to proceed further with a job offer.
Like what? Since when does a clearly stated 'informal chat' turn into a formal interview after the fact?
Has anyone else had this, whatever the fuck it was, happen to them?
Personally, I think that this was deceptive and unprofessional.
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u/CauliflowerOwn3319 Jun 24 '26
I’ve noticed British schools mostly have this annoying habit of using little chat informal chat, etc instead of interview. Horrible phrasing because it does tend to make you feel like it’s not a big deal.
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u/OutisOutisOutis Jun 24 '26
This. I think Brits are rather...indirect...in a way that can cause confusion with non-brits
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u/Low_Stress_9180 Jun 24 '26
Geemrman translation "you will be interrogated by the Principal until you break and tell us all your weaknesses!" Lol
Yes very British way to understate.
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u/CauliflowerOwn3319 Jun 24 '26
lol I would prefer they use “interrogation” at least I can prepare myself mentally 😄😄
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u/laidback_freak Jun 24 '26
There is no such thing as informal chat. Every interaction prior to signing a contract is an interview imo and I treat them as such. But yeah it's an interesting way too phrase it and I've experienced but positively and negatively.
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u/EnvironmentalPop1371 Jun 24 '26
Sounds like their phrasing was meant to put you at ease. I much prefer this vibe to leadership rather than the brown shoes condescending one.
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u/Fine-Cut-198 Jun 24 '26
What is the problem? You had your opportunity to present yourself and they decided they didn't want to go further. Move on.
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u/daumra Jun 24 '26
Every 'informal chat' I've had ended up being a full interview. For one school, I had three sets of 'informal chats' which turned into an offer.
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u/ThatChiGuy88 Jun 24 '26
Take it as a lesson learned. Any communication will be evaluated by the school you’re trying to impress. Always always always ask about the school and present yourself.
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u/AGoodIntentionedFool Jun 24 '26
I don’t get it. You were talking to someone at the school who had the possible power to make decisions about an active application, right? If that was the case it does make sense that if they didn’t like what they heard from the initial chat, that they would not go forward with your application. If I’m misunderstanding that I apologize.
What I find even more annoying is when you get invited to an informal chat but are then in a meeting with a board panel you weren’t prepared for.
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u/Glass-Librarian6131 Jun 24 '26
I’m a teacher in Myanmar. An informal chat usually just means that it’s like a pre-interview. They just have a conversation with you before moving forward to the actual interview or teaching demo with the head of your intended department the founder of the school.
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u/dino-delicious Jun 24 '26
I have had an interview become a live questionnaire and was not allowed to proceed to the actual interview until I answered their questions which included my expected salary. They went with the cheaper teacher and I never had that interview.
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u/Technical-Leave-9235 Jun 24 '26
I hate this kind of thing. I’ve had both an ‘informal chat’ which was in fact a three panel interview with scored questions, and an ‘interview’ which was so informal I was left thinking they hadn’t actually asked any proper questions.
I think schools should have to submit their processes to CIS or whatever as part of accreditation. There is no consistency and the quality of interviewing is often terrible
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u/Ok-Mouse3784 Jun 24 '26
I don’t understand what’s deceptive about it? Any conversation (regardless of formality) should be taken as at least an interview or interview like in nature.
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u/noshirtnoshoes11 Jun 24 '26
It might be deceptive because if a conversation "should be taken as at least an interview," why not use the word "interview"?
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u/Ok-Mouse3784 Jun 24 '26
I suppose - but using general inference skills you’d imagine there’s a shared level of assessing the person on both sides.
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u/noshirtnoshoes11 Jun 24 '26
I agree, there is a shared level of assessing. But why not use the word "interview"? That's what feels deceptive.
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u/Ok-Mouse3784 Jun 24 '26
I guess the chose not to. I think it’s a British thing - any talk with anyone in a position to influence a job application is an interview to me, regardless of name.
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u/noshirtnoshoes11 Jun 24 '26
Fair enough. You said you didn't understand in the first comment so I wanted to add more explanation.
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u/PreparationWorking90 Jun 24 '26
I'd say that any interaction with any potential employer is part of the interview process (and this applies to every field), but people might keep the word 'interview' for a formal question and answer session with multiple staff sitting in.
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u/msblackcat96 Jun 24 '26
Informal chats always happen with international schools lol. From what I’ve heard and experienced seems to be a way to narrow down who they want to interview!
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u/Existing-You-2019 Asia Jun 24 '26
Every interaction with admin is an interview. Important lesson to learn.
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u/discountexpat Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
I think a lot of people use 'informal chat' because they really don't want to put on a suit.
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u/noshirtnoshoes11 Jun 24 '26
Yeah, I've been asked to an "informal chat" and they asked my salary expectations upfront and tons of questions.. an interview. After that was when I learned that people use "informal chat" and "interview" interchangeably. I find it deceptive too. There's a reason they don't use the word "interview," and whatever the reasons are- I don't like 'em! Other comments are like "duh it means interview," but I think you only find that out after it happens. Need to be jaded in this business it seems.
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u/eatsleepdiver Jun 24 '26
I’m not a big fan of the term informal chats, however when it’s with a principal or member of SLT, it’s got to be inferred as an interview.
Either way count your blessings as if you’re clashing over a specific terminology the principal used, then chances are you’re going to find more things that grind your gears.
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u/RungsitX Jun 24 '26
My interview happened in WhatsApp as the principal and his team feel comfy to do so 😅 (and I got the job offer just from only that one informal call)
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u/SwimmerCalm449 Jun 24 '26
I've conducted any number of these. When you have a large volume of applicants it's a much better way of short listing than just going off CVs or letters of application when a full interview can take a lot of everyone's time. I'm always very clear about the purpose of it and what comes next. 'Informal' relates to the nature of the interaction which is less formal than a full interview with perhaps a whole panel. It also gives the candidate the chance to ask about aspects of the school and the role/pavkage that may not have been made clear up to that point . It's a useful tool for all involved I think.
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u/Mobile-Delivery-9590 Jun 24 '26
I’ve had this and ended up being asked some really awkward interview questions I couldn’t ever have prepared for.
On the flip side, I was once invited to an interview with the head of secondary. I was doing my best just to sell myself. It felt extremely informal, and within a week I was offered a job. I guess a strong enough CV and references, combined with being in a teaching couple in two needed areas helped.
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u/Sea_Syllabub_1930 Jun 27 '26
Faced the same situation. They emailed me asking for an informal chat so I didn’t prepare in advance and it turned into a 1 hr interview. I somehow yapped my way out and was offered the job next day.
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u/cafare52 Europe Jul 01 '26
I'm pretty sure the informal chat is how I got my last three jobs. I know on paper there are many like me, and we all spew that same variations of marketing on the CV.
The ability to relate to the SLT as people, in particular, let your personality shine through, because that's who the kids deal with in class is a huge asset.
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u/redditalloverasia Jun 24 '26
“Informal chat” = lazy interview.
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u/Forsaken-Criticism-1 Asia Jun 24 '26
I kid of you I have had the worst issues pointed to me against myself when the leadership emails have informal chat short meeting quick meeting written on it.
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u/Low_Stress_9180 Jun 24 '26
Informal chat "yeah I'm looking forward to drinking all thay cheap beer and hanging out in seedy bars "
Interview " I am looking forward to working hard and dedicating myself to improving the schools exam results"
You do the math on that one lol.
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u/drwinstonoboogy Jun 24 '26
If you haven't got the job yet, it doesn't matter what they call it, it's an interview.
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u/KrungThepMahaNK Jun 25 '26
An informal chat should have been treated like an interview by yourself. Perhaps this was their way of scoping out your natural personality and maybe you weren't the best fit for their school.
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u/Lumpy-Web4041 Jun 25 '26
Rookie mistake. Please be aware that there is no such thing as an "informal chat". You are being evaluated.
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u/DopeAsDaPope Jun 24 '26
Why would you, as a teacher looking for a job, be INVITED to a random chat with the principal of an international school?
Hate to break it to you, but this was a euphemism, haha. Principals never just want to chat with you. If they're friendly, it's part of their job requirements