How to Prepare for an SPP Interview Part 1

   This is long due, but I've promised a few friends that I'd share some tips. Now, I don't profess to be a pro when it comes to interviews. In fact, I've only gone for two in 7 years- the first was when I went for the TESL interview, and the second was this SPP thing.

   Now, you should keep in mind that with everything that's been going on (including the lateness in posting this year), things may change. Interviews may be conducted differently in the future. However, I think these are all basic tips that can be applied for any sort of interview. I collected them from own experiences, as well from many people including my particular batch of Cohort 4 TESL grads (hello to you if any of you are reading this!). I hope this is helpful.

   1. Appearance & Attire
   - Wear formal clothing. This would usually mean traditional dresses (baju kurung) for  the ladies and collared shirts & black pants for the men. People may have different opinions about this, but I'd advice ladies to go for baju kurung. Easy. No skirts with splits at the back. Wear what you'd wear to school everyday. (Yang Muslims, tutup aurat ya. I needn't say more.)
   -Wear dark-coloured covered shoes. This would usually mean high-heeled, dark coloured 'court' shoes, as we call them, for the ladies.
   - Wear blazers. This isn't compulsory, but from my experience, it does help make you look smart and professional. I noticed  this because all the TESL candidates wore blazers and it makes a lot of difference (well we all shared tips with each other, hehe). We even had an interviewer comment that he gave extra marks for those who wear blazers. They should be dark in colour- black or dark blue would do nicely. Make sure you feel comfortable in yours.
   -Wear nametags. The sort you wore when you went for practicum.
   -Just make sure you look smart from top to toe. Iron your clothes, pin your tudung into place, etc.

   2. Attitude
   -Look smart and professional. How do you that? I don't know, figure it out, you're teachers are't you? Hehe
   -Put on a pleasant  face. I know some people like to look serious, and I guess it works too. Just don't joke around too much or be too playful. There are times and places for that. Just calm down and relax.    -    
   -Follow the Person-In-Charge's instructions. There will be a PIC for every centre, and before you go into the room, they will give a short briefing session and explain what you have to do. Some even give tips.
   -Be respectful. At my place, we were asked to give salam to the interviewer before entering the room. Enter in single file, and don't sit before you're told to. Don't cross your legs. Hehe.
   -Don't pretend to know if you don't know something. Uh-huh. Just respectfully say you''re not sure, but if you want to try and answer anyway, go ahead.  Each interviewer is different, but we'll get to that later.

   3. Required Documents
   -Make sure you have everything prepared ahead of time. I've heard a lot of cases were candidates were not allowed to sit for an interviewer due to missing documents. Some PICs may be more lenient, but don't hope for that. Make sure you have anything necessary compiled.
   -Print out the checklist from the SPP website You will also get letters delivered to your home, and sometimes  the checklist is included. But double check with your friends and the SPP website. Double and triple check everything.
   -Arrange all original documents in a clear holder.
   -Make extra extra copies of the original documents and make sure you get them all verified. Clip or staple the required copies together.
   -This is the list of documents we had to take. It may be different for different courses etc.:
   (i) I.C.
   (ii) Birth certificate
   (iii) SPM certificate
   (iv) Graduation scroll
   (v) Graduation transcript
   (vi) Programme offer letter (which you got when you were first offered your teaching programme)
   -Some had to bring their practicum record book. I brought mine, but it wasn't required. Teachers who are already working in schools have to bring other additional documents.

   This is all I can think of at the moment. If I think of anything else, I'll update this  post. If you have any comments or questions... well, just shoot me a comment below. Insya-Allah I'll try my best to respond.

   [Next up: Part 2: What to Read for the Interview. Stay tuned.]

National Education Philosophy (Falsafah Pendidikan Negara)

   This is again, something all teachers (in Malaysia)  should have drilled into their minds. Memorise it if you haven't, and understand the essence of it.

   The National Education Philosophy

   "Education in Malaysia is an on-going efforts towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intelectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large."

   Falsafah Pendidikan Negara

   "Pendidikan di Malaysia adalah suatu usaha berterusan ke arah memperkembangkan lagi potensi individu secara menyeluruh dan bersepadu untuk mewujudkan insan yang seimbang dan  harmonis dari segi intelek, rohani, emosi dan jasmani berdasarkan kepercayaan dan kepatuhan kepada Tuhan. Usaha ini adalah bagi melahirkan rakyat Malaysia yang berilmu pengetahuan, berakhlak mulia, bertanggungjawab dan berkeupayaan mencapai kesejahteraan diri serta memberi sumbangan terhadap keharmonian dan kemakmuran masyarakat dan negara.”  

   Again a good topic for discussion.

   p.s. I'm preparing a post on tips for attending interviews, with the SPP interview in mind. Stay tuned.

The Principles of Nationhood (Rukun Negara)

   I've been reading some stuff in preparation for the SPP interview. Since I'm an English teacher, I hope they'll ask me questions in English, I'm  not used to formal conversation in Malay, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't prepare to use formal BM. Gosh I'm nervous.

   This is something all Malaysians, and definitely teachers, should know.

The Principles of Nationhood
1. Belief in God
2. Loyalty to the King and Country
3. The Supremacy of the Constitution
4. Sovereignty of the Law
5. Courtesy and Morality

Rukun Negara
1. Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan
2. Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara
3. Keluhuran Perlembagaan
4.  Kedaulatan Undang-Undang
5. Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan

   I think some discussion on each principle would be interesting. I'll try to work something out.

News: SPP Interview

   I received news that I have to go for the DG41 SPP interview on 23rd November. Apparently you have to go for interviews first now before you get posted, even if you're from the IPG line.

   Will post more on this soon.

   [THIS is where you check for the date and place for the interview.]

KPLSPM

   I was in the campus last week. As I waited for my employer (my employer... yeah... but nope that story has no part in this blog) in the car park behind Anjung Hikmah I saw a number of young people standing around in groups looking nervous.

   Ah. I thought. These young people are waiting to be interviewed for the PPISMP programme. Later, my employer explained that it's now called the KPLSPM (what a mouthful!) which stands for Kursus Perguruan Lepas SPM. Oh. There were also candidates waiting to be interviewed for the PPC (Program Pelajar Cemerlang) as well.

   Wow. I shook my head and sat back in my seat. Six years ago, I also went through the same thing. Six years ago. That's a long, long time. Well, it is for someone who's only lived for 22+ years. Six years is about a third of the time that I've spent breathing.

   Memories. It's strange how they can be jerked into life. I remembered how nervous I was when I went for my interview. Siap pakai blazer! Tak tahan. Semua Dad's idea la tu. The problem I was too small (probably looked a bit under-nourished as well)  and looked too much of a kid and the smart black coat, instead of making me look skema and professional, only blanketed me and make me look out of place. Sigh. I don't exactly have good memories regarding my interview, but hey, I'm here now.

   I remember I met Awatif for the first time. Later when I got to know her, she said she noticed me and thought, "Sapalah budak skema ni." Haha. At least ada gak oghang kata aku skema. Menjadi gak bolezer tuh. Awatif is a great friend, and one of my favourites although she may not know it. She's one of the most hardworking in the cohort, which explains why she got nominated for 'Cemerlang' during practicum. Yeah. Cool, huh. She's also one of the people I really enjoyed working with- remember those productions we had, Watap? (But of course she doesn't read my blog. I doubt she even knows it exists).

   Anyway, back to the interview. When I said I saw young people, I mean young people. Seriously! Well, they didn't exactly look young (kids nowadays look really mature) and people still think I'm in Form 4... but the thought that I took the interview 6 years ago really kicked me into reality. I'm old! I've basically completed my studies. Just waiting to be posted. I'm old!

   Well, let's talk about something useful. I'm not sure who reads my blogs, and at the same time the interviews for KPLSPM are probably way over, but just in case some teacher-wannabe stumbles upon my blog, I've listed some tips on what to do in order to prepare for BPG (Bahagian Pendidikan Guru) interviews based on my own experience. This was 6 years ago, but I think it always more or less goes the same way.

   1. Dress smartly, in a way that shows that you're ready to become a teacher
   - There's no need to wear anything fancy. Girls usually wear baju kurung and covered shoes, while boys usually go for collared shirts and smart pants.

   2. Read up on the latest education news
   - Thankfully I read the news on the morning I went for the interview. They asked me if I read the newspaper, and I was able to answer. Well, sort of anyway.

   3. Read up on basic info concerning the Cabinet etc.
   - My dad got me a poster that listed all the important people in the Ministry. They didn't ask about it, but one might as well be prepared.

   4. Polish your knowledge on the subject you're going for
   - If you're aiming to be an English teacher, you might as well show them that you can actually use the language, right?

   5. Be confident and brave
   - Not an easy thing to do, but just try to show that you're confident. Meet the eyes of the interviewer(s) and answer their questions as confidently as you can.

   6. Smile
   - It won't hurt to smile a bit. Just don't go all giggly sudahla.

   And that's about it for the tips. All the best!