Interviews with KPM
Many a times, many people think the interviews for KPM, which includes the much-dreaded SPP interviews (in a lifetime of teachers, you will be interviewed at least 3-5 times) depending on how many times you rise through the ranks.
This is mainly written just to avoid writing the same thing over and over again through many, many years, since its the golden question:
"How on earth are we going to take this interview down?"
Believe me, sometimes you’ll get meticulous people, who are interested in quizzing you all the way down to why you are wearing red lingerie in a tight uniform (oh yes, believe me) to why you think Malaysia should place a base station on the moon.
Sometimes however, you’ll get the ‘nice’ chaps who don’t grill you, but want to hear from your heart what you want to be as a teacher.
However, what to read and what to present, argue (arguably, to argue your case is the least wanted incident in any KPM / SPP / JPA sponsored interview) is and will always be changing. Never mind about what to read, if you keep a close eye to national, international issues and issues relating to teaching-hood, you should be aptfully prepared to quench any questions or rhetorics that the interviewer ask you to.
However, there are few subtler things that many people just don’t get, and even the brightest of minds don’t comprehend the necessity of it; thus many potentially good to be teachers don’t get accepted. Let’s go through it all:
1) Your stance as an officer of the government.
Remember, your rank when you’re accepted, is PEGAWAI PERKHIDMATAN PENDIDIKAN SISWAZAH. Even if you start off with "GURU SANDARAN TERLATIH/TIDAK TERLATIH", your rank is still ‘a’ PEGAWAI PERKHIDMATAN PENDIDIKAN.
Now, what’s with all the hoo haa about being a "Education Services Officer"? Big implications. To cut the entire story short, let me just summarize it as following
A) You don’t carry your views. You are the ‘executor of the will of the ruling government’. (Pelaksana polisi kerajaan pemerintah)
B) You are in service to carry out the duties as how the government and the ministry sees you fit. You are part of the government machinary. You’re supposed to act like one. Embrace it. (Sebahagian daripada mekanisma kerajaan itu sendiri)
C) Personal views are not liable to be exposed to anyone. However, whilst in duty, one must show exemplary conduct in discharging one’s duties as a government servant in delivering the will of the government of the day. As a government servant, you are the fists of the very will of the government made manifest. (Mendukung dan melaksanakan polisi kerajaan, pandangan sendiri diketepikan). Those who have went through INDUKSI K.I.S.S.M must be very familiar by now that we cannot publicly express our opinion about the government, whether it is good or bad. You may be forgiven for voicing out praises to the government, but the RULE is very clear and obvious: You shall never mention of your government in the capacity of your own individual views, as long as you are NOT permitted (by the higher ups, by means of appointment) to do so.
2) Delivery:
The whole issue with delivery deals with confidence. In the end, really, all that matters is:
A) What you’re trying to deliver. Is it honest, and is it compelling. You have to appeal to their sense of duty; this is a common ground shared by all if not by most of the government servants. The people who interview you are nothing short in age and experience; they are all ex-directors, deputies, headmasters, etc. So they know who’s bluffing, and who’s not. Be honest, but project the idea that you’re advancing, bringing everything forward. Not too honest and frank, but show that you’re a human being that has the potential, will and capacity to turn tides of despair into waves of hope.
B) Don’t let them dominate the questions. But never counter a question with another question. If you allow them to dominate the question, you’re deemed passive. Like a sheep. That in some cases is good, but the KPM in general isn’t looking for sheeps. They are looking for sheperds that can listen, understand and work together. If you don’t get this point, then its my point of not delivering it good enough, but the basic idea is that even if you’re passive, you have to be proactive enough to drag the topic until the interviewer says "stop there, can I move on to another question?"
C) Be prepared to be blatantly honest, but project your views when you have to. Now, to be honest, nobody can and will ever be fully prepared. I was fully loaded, with information about NKRA, etc etc, only to be asked about "what is a school." However, I didn’t flinched. All I did was just to cooly say "I’m sorry, but I have never memorized nor fully comprehend the term ‘school’ in Kamus Dewan (hey, I responded in BM, more to that later) but to my understanding of the term school as a word and as a concept, allow me, if I may to project my views that…"
The rest, was history most will understood. Thats where your chance to shine appears. Use that opportunity.
D) Language.
Use Bahasa Melayu baku all the way through. Unless you’re spesifically asked to use another language, and they will be very strict about this. Use any other language when you’re not asked to, and its an immediate fail for you. When you’re asked to say, present things in English, then use the magic words "allow me now to continue what I’ve earlier said, this time in English".
Now, here’s a hypothetical question that happens with most TESLians. "I’m screwed. I can mope the floor with my BM (indirectly, you’re saying you suck)". So what do you do?
Just be honest, and while you are still having the interview in Bahasa Melayu, just mentioned that there’s this English Term where we were made to study, and its called / said as "xxxyyyzzz". Simple. Its bending by the rules, but you don’t make a fool out of yourself and by doing it you are showing that you’re literally aware that your BM isn’t that up to ‘par’, but you’re able to bring that issue up without much of a hitch. Interviewers like the confidence. Hell, even if the quote’s french, just say ‘the nearest direct translation would sound like this’. Problemo uno solved.
3.Codes to observe:
This is also one of the things that makes many, many graduates fail to land the job of being a teacher. Remember, you have to act like a Roman to enter Rome. So, its time to act like a decent servant of the government, to put up that show. Act like one that knows how to act. Don’t gatecrash. This isn’t your dad’s office (and even if it is, just put up with this once. Its called ‘ethical code professionalism observance’
A) Clothings and Appearance:
I can’t begin to pinpoint where or what I should stress, but Mahathir-style name tags, black court shoes, black socks (for guys and gals alike), and long sleeves are a must. Stay conservative. Ladies, tie up your hairs into ponytails. Guys, razor sharp lines, no sideburns, smart hair (not your punk rock wannabe fashionistas) and make-ups (for the ladies) that will show that you aren’t a plastic-obsessed diva, but still enough to be ‘code and ethically accepted’. Neckties to the waist, no fancy ‘click shoes’, make sure everything’s trimmed and ironed. Guys, please bring along a blazer vest. Ladies, wear a baju kurung just to be on the safe side. Padded shoulders are good if you’re planning to wear a blazer. No jackets, no jeans, nothing. No fancy bling bling. This ain’t a showroom party. The keypoint is can you adhere to the codes?
B) Room service.
Knock the door first, twice, (no fancy knob rapping) then open the knob. Peek inside (half body stepping inside, no bending) and give your greetings. No need for introduction, then just ask the golden question "May I come in, sir/madam?" DO NOT under any circumstances make them ask you that question. That is considered rude. If they pre-empt it, its alright, but at the very least do your duty of asking to be invited in.
Next, do not sit. Approach the interviewer to present your files in an orderly manner, then stand back. Do not bother about the chair or anything. Just stand back. Supposedly they took your files before you enter the room, just step to a place that faces them, and stand straight. Once they have sorted out the entire mess (and don’t friggin mess up the certs! Arrange them in the order spesified!) One trick is to bring two files (twin reference) [where the first file will have all the originals arranged, and the second file will have all the photostated and certified documents all arranged in the same exact order, mirroring / twinning the first file.] they will ask you to sit. The key point is; DO NOT ASK TO SIT, and do NOT SIT WITHOUT PERMISSION. And when the permission / invitation is granted, do not pull the chair nearer to the interviewer. Just sit where the chair is without moving it. Place your hands on your lap, and bring your knees and legs together. Stay still. If you’re going to use any hand gestures (its natural during interview) do remember to place them on the lap.
Once the interview is over, they will ask you to leave the room. Say your thanks, stand up, and slowly reach for the exit. Close the door slowly, shut tightly. I have a habit of giving a thank you bow (which is a small / low head dropping to the level of the shoulders, not a full bow) as an acknowledgement sign of ‘thank you) before reaching the door. Once the door is shut, you can cry and shout or wail and fling yourself to anything you like, to your heart’s content. Oh, before all this, its best to kill off the phone. Not silent it. KILL IT OFF. You don’t want to be interupted at all. Believe me.
C)Acknowledgement / Addressing:
Always use Tuan / Puan. On a sidenote, I’ve always hunt the assistant interviewers first. They normally loiter around the hall, and they will have the best idea on how to address the Tuan / Puan. It was from here I know that I ought to address my interviewer as "Tuan Haji ZZZXXXX", and use it confidently in every time I addressed him. If you have been corrected by the interviewer, please just kindly re-adress the name and apologize for not getting the pronunciation right. Its that simple.
So, that’s pretty much, but it won’t be easy to stomach all in one read. Still, I wish you folks the best of your interviews, now and always!
