Chiriquí Chatter

Back in October, Darío invited me to work with one of his classes at the Panama Maritime Training Services. That post can be seen here. Monday of this week, he called and asked if I could come help him again. This time was different from the last. This time Darío wanted me to roll play as an interviewer for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Company.

Tonight there were four students, which I asked a set 19 questions. These questions were intended to be representative of questions that they might be asked when interviewing for a job with the cruise line.

Each student came in one at a time. We spent a little time just talking so they could adjust to my Texas twang. Once we had our ears adjusted so that we could understand each other we went into the interview mode. The interviews obviously were done in English.

While the school provides the training to perform the jobs that the cruise lines are interested in, that training is wasted if the students can’t pass the interview process. As we went through the role-play, I could see that this would be a stressful situation for them.

Having been on both sides of many interviews, but especially on the side of the hiring manager, I feel like I understand the process that they are going to be tossed into. Normally an interview is designed to determine if a candidate can perform the duties of the job. In this case, besides performing the duties they have to show proficiency with the English language.

As I was getting ready to work with the first student, they brought me a piña colada that had just been made in the bartender class. I can honestly say this was the first time I ever conducted an interview while drinking a mixed drink.

Darío had provided me with four papers (one for each student) with the questions and a numeric column to indicate how well the question was answered. The rating went from 1(bad) to 4 (excellent).

All of the students have work to do. Some more than others. Some gave answers in reasonable English, but they did not answer the question. As an example, if you are asked, “How did you hear of Royal Caribbean?” and you answer “Royal Caribbean is a good company and I would like to work for them.” You did not answer the question so I would give a 1 even though the English might have been fine.

If you are asked, “When can you start?” you should give an answer close to “Right now!” So as I see it, besides the Basic English language training, it is important to spend some time teaching interviewing technique and concepts.

I will have to say this. All of the fellows I talked to had very likable personalities. I felt they all were working hard to prepare themselves so that they could work for a cruise line. They all smiled and were friendly

It is going to be hard work. One of the questions was “Can you work 7 days a week and more than 10 hours a day?” If you want the job the obvious answer is “Of course.”

Once again Darío provided me an evening’s entertainment. I gave him a few recommendations after I had talked to the four students. I wish them all luck and know that they want the jobs they are training for because they will provide compensation that they cannot get in Panama.

Here are the four students in front of the practice bar along with Darío on the left. Normally I would have remembered all of the names, but the piña colada and what ever the second drink was must have effected my memory. I remember the first student’s first name was Jose and the last student’s last name was Nuñez and I am still trying to remember how I got home.

Thanks for an enjoyable evening Darío. However if we do this again, I need a designated driver.

Tags: English Lessons