Wednesday, August 26, 2009

interview (Dutch-style)

When you go to an interview in the Netherlands, always remember that it's not enough that you speak Dutch. You should also speak their language --- their body language. Meaning, get into their minds and think like they do. If you have to, wear a klompen (wooden shoes). lol All right, that was uncalled for.

I went to another job interview. I applied for a teaching position. And I did not get the job because they said that I didn't have the eligibility diploma.

I spoke to Dutch friends and here's what they told me.... mostly, to comfort my wounded pride. lol

Anneke: if they didn't see your potential, they are not worth your time. Look for another school.

Geert: This is Holland. The land of diplomas. It is not enough that you have a masteral degree, or a certificate from Oxford or Yale. It is also important that they validate your diploma and see if it is of any use here.

Ben: Remember that in the Netherlands, people would like to think that we are all equal, although some are more equal than others. So if you go to an interview here, and act like you have more to offer than they asked for, you are automatically disqualified. In effect, you eliminated yourself. Why? Because you are no longer equals.

Irene: Most schools here are old-fashioned. They want to think they're progressive, but they're not. Educators and teachers can't think outside the box.

Sophie: Teachers at my school can be so chaotic. Teaching is just a job for them. They do it, and then they go home. You are too organized ... too good to join the faculty staff there. (don´t you just love Sophie? I do! lol)


At the end of the day, you realize that it's not about what other people have to say. It's about how you feel. Honestly, I felt that I could really make a difference there. But don't we all, think that we can make a difference? LOL

I am trained in both western and non-western music. I was, once upon a time, a faculty member of UP, the state university in my country. I actually belonged to the crème de la crème there, the intellectual elite. Whatever that means. LOL

But they are right in pointing out to me that I don't have the onderwijsbevoegheid (eligibility). Of course. Rules are rules (regels zijn regels).

Oh well.... next please.

17 comments:

cherie said...

i love this! katawa an comments san friends mo. an gusto lang ugaring sana sabihon kaya dili ka naaako, overqualified ka, hahahaha! magtindog ka na lang sadiri mo na music school...

Jesusa said...

they don't know what they're missing!

Pinay in Dutchland said...

oh my, im already worried at the prospects of having to face a dutch for a job interview. im a writer and im crossing my fingers that my letters will just speak for me.

oh dont feel bad about not getting the job, there might be a better one waiting for you.

Anita said...

Geert has a point there ! Anyway, do not suffer from stress. Just validate your diplomas and have LOL !

Droomvla said...

Cherie & Grace: HAHAHAHA nanu, i-entra ko sa blog ini na mga comments man nindo? HAHAHAHAA Salamat mga dahlengs. lol

Droomvla said...

Pinay in Dutchland: Don't worry, I'm sure your works will represent you well.

Thanks for your kind words. :)

Droomvla said...

Anita: validating means going back to school again. The thing is, I don't mind going back to school. But I have an issue with learning all over again the things that I already know. I'm still considering whether or not I´ll do it. And you´re right.... we should always have FUN. ;)

Aristarkhos said...

what do you mean go back to school again? You mean being a faculty member in a university is not good enough? Being proficient in two styles of music does not cut it? How about validating skill sets through tests? Next time, walk in with instruments. The whole shebang. Let 'em have it.
I think it would be better if you give private tuition. Is that a difficult thing to do?

Droomvla said...

Aristarkhos: they don´t actually care what you did in the past. All they want to know is if you can meet their standard. I guess, I fell short in that department. I know that I will never be good enough UNLESS they´re desperate because between myself and a native Dutch speaker applicant, I think they will go for the native speaker. But I´m still trying... In the Phil, we say.... try and try, until you die. lol

Droomvla said...

I do teach at home. We even had a recital last March. But I was hoping that I could be a part of a school system again. You know,... bigger audience, meet more people, and be a slave. HAHAHAHAHA

rwidiani said...

geert and ben are right!
for the "easy" job like in library, i got it not because of what i can, but because of what i have achieved (diploma), here , in holland.

on the contrary, like ben said, if you have more than what they're looking for, they won't except you because you're too high qualified for them. it's strange but true.

isn't this just a strange strange country?

Droomvla said...

Ret: I have actually been wrestling with that idea for almost 7 years now. Truth is, I don't want to do go back to school because I don't want to dignify what appears as "the school I went to, is inferior than theirs."

It's a matter of principle really. And let me tell you this, I have LOTS of it (principle)! hahahahahaha

Sol said...

pabayai man sinda if habo ninda! Its their lost, not yours, o, di va???? Tama si Grace, they don't know what they are missing talaga!.... don't lose hope, keep trying....one of these days you'll find the job most suited to you....

buday said...

Nagkaduruling ako sa "onderwijsbevoegheid".

Droomvla said...

Sol: Hello there. What a pleasant surprise! :)
Awat ko na sinda actually gin pabayaan!HAHAHAHAHA Dili man ako desperado kay damo man an gin tuturuan ko didi sa balay. Nauuyam lang ako minsan san mga style ninda na ipapatawag ka tapos they always come up with something to say.
Technically, dili ko kaipuhan an eligibility kay may MA ko. So double-standard na an mga taga na may MA dili kaipuhan an eligibility para makaturo, tapos ako na taga luwas gin hahagadan ninda. Anyways... Bygones. LOL

Droomvla said...

Melodie: Purbari na pagbasaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Kay ako san una na gin pabasa sa akon ina, nagkapiriripit an dila ko! HAHAHAHAHA

buday said...

Dili ko ngani madaleh an "She sells sea shells on the seashore", ina pa na "odonginganiakoh" hakhakhak.