MARA Interview

I don't remember exactly when was it, is like on Sunday in the middle of 2012. However I clearly remember that it was the worst interview ever happened in my life. No wonder, I feel like just yesterday it happened.

Yesterday I found that MARA vacancy as a Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Siswazah, again. This is what brought me into here;) Since some of my friends kept asking me about Mara's Interview,  So it's my pleasure to share this complicated interview I've been through that day. haha

How I apply the vacancy? 

My sister in-law works as a clerk at MRSM, Kinarut. She applied it for me where I just gave her my Identity Card number. The bad thing is, I got to know the interview will be the next day. & I know nothing. The documents to be prepared, the things that I should bring & I even don't know that there would be like a question paper exam to be answered other than just sitting down in front of the interviewer & answer them. 

Worse than that is, everyone has the offer letter for the interview. In that offer letter has been told all the things needed & tips during the interview. Guess what, I need to prepare the micro teaching, where I didn't do!  *Sigh

Behind the scene

It's already 9.00am, I was the last person arrived to the interview place which take place early morning at 7am.I saw like hundred candidates, which is not include other day of interview. I saw they were busy answering the question paper, which later I found out I've 30 minutes left to answer that 50 questions consist of general knowledge, calculation questions, creative & critical thinking questions & about Mara questions. Too bad that I didn't have my calculator with me.

While I was busy with the question paper, others are busy doing another critical thinking about teaching profession. I still remember the quote "The mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher explains, the superior demonstrates. The great teacher inspires" Elaborate the quote. 

So after all the tests done, we are asked to prepare for micro teaching. During the micro teaching, you need to prepare the lesson plan for chosen topic of related subject, and the teaching aids. I've nothing to show to the interviewers during the micro teaching, I  recalled back what I've taught during my teaching practicum. The topic of 'the straight line' Maths form 4 came up on my mind so I just simply teaching without lesson plan & teaching aids. I knew things went wrong since the test! People say 'Bolos saja dinding itu'! So I just rempuh whatever come in front ;D

Micro teaching done, next level is giving out own ideas. You will be in a group & every person will be given a task is more on a class situation. You need to give out your ideas within 5 minutes presentation alone on how to solve the problem. It was done all in English. 

Then, 20 minutes break time. I still remember I can't even have my break time due to undone tests. 

Interview Time

This is the final stage. Again, I'm the last candidate being interviewed. That moment when I feel tired & weak, I just like wanted to surrender. But alang² menyeluk perkasam, people say;) 

There were three officers in charge. Two of them are from Penisular Malay & one from Sabah. I gave all my academic certificates for them to look up. Then, they asked me to introduce myself first. They gave me three scenarios that often happen in class, they wanted me to solve the problem. Below is the scenarios;

(1) What would you do while you're teaching in the class, some of the students make noises at the back

(2) If some of your students treat you for a lunch, are you going to accept it?

(3) What is the approaches & methods you can apply in a class with different abilities & background of students?

Apart of that, they also  asked me to share my experience during the teaching practicum I've undergo. What you learn & got from it? What do you think about teaching profession. What is the characteristic of a good teacher should have? Last one is, what is your strength you have so we can hire you to work with us?

End of the day, they gave some talk to me which I can't forgot until now. I was aware that I'm not prepared enough. It was my fault. So, those who are thinking to apply Mara's vacancy, make sure you are really prepared enough. Do not come late! Answer every tests given, do not submit it without writing your answer. Marks will be given for that & will count in the end. Prepare all the documents needed;)

Interview ended at 5.30pm

Good Luck!