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Q: Why In The Hell Do You Just Show Up? (A Rant)
I am in the position to hire as a director of an international program. At least once a month, I get a call from either my assistant, or the administration of the school my program is part of, with the news, "There is a foreigner here who wants to be a teacher in your program." Cue massive amounts of swearing followed by, "Tell it to send its resume to my email." What in the hell inspires people to just show up at the school? Do you think that I have nothing better to do than meet you in your shorts and Jesus sandals? Do you really want me to give you a tremendous reception or just give you that look that says, "You're wasting my time and you look like you belong in a litter-box?" Really. If you're fresh off the boat and you're thinking that maybe you can work for me, do your research, find out my email address and send me your resume and docs. Showing up in person - especially when I'm busy (or not in the office) - just destroys your chance of making a good first impression. Don't do it! Coming in person to inquire is one thing, leaving me your resume and contact details are another - but showing up and expecting me to grant you an audience is an entirely different ballgame which smacks of entitlement. So! If you cold-call a certain school in a certain city and you're told, "The director of the program warmly welcomes you to take a long walk off a short pier and hug an octopus", congratulations, you're in Sinobear country!
and that is why we have this Forum
However you know you will get resume's from every unemployed member on this board now
Sinobear:
No problem with that...at least I can schedule an appointment when I have time.
In the west this is rude. In China it is how to get a job. Guanxi or pissing of your future employer are the common approaches.
Nice rant.
BeholdaPaleHorse:
it's seen as having confidence and showing initiative, isn't it?
Scandinavian:
No, it is showing you don't care about the life of the person you are there to see.
I can add that I have literally never heard of anyone just showing up asking for a job, that is, unless a "Help Wanted" sign is by the road side, but then we are typically talking about bust boys.
How the heck is that entitlement? They're taking time out of their schedule to come and visit you personally to show that they're really willing to put in the time and effort towards working for you. And are you hiring a model or an English teacher?
I don't see how that is rude in western countries. That is how we all do it in America, isn't it? Hell, it's how everyone I know does it in my state. It shows the employer that you're really interested in the job.
Many may disagree with me, but really I think you're going about this the wrong way. Although what works for one employer doesn't work for others, I think you're really shooting yourself in the foot by turning down prospective employees who took the time and effort to show up and visit you personally. It doesn't smack of entitlement. It shows they're actually very interested.
Besides, I may or may not have heard that one employer back home got put out of business by having their entire business model automated. Apparently it was done as a revenge for pissing off the wrong programmer. 
Scandinavian:
Showing up without an appointment is rude. You come and ask for a person who is likely to be going about his normal business. If this becomes the norm then it is goodbye planning your day.
Hulk:
I dunno. EDIT: I agree... I usually do have an appointment for something like that, though I usually don't job hunt much.
I've shown up without appointments to ask about job openings, and never had a problem with it... in fact, recruiters have liked that.
Sinobear:
I'm not a recruiter...I'm a manager with a school to run. Just showing up and expecting an interview just doesn't fly - it's not showing initiative, it's showing that you think you're important enough for me to drop everything and attend to you. Send me an email, give me a phone call and we can arrange a mutually convenient time. I don't run a drop-in center and I don't want to have to turn Jesus down (sandals and all) when I didn't ask him to come in the first place! For the second coming I could be more reasonable...
BeholdaPaleHorse:
Because this fella is so bloated of his own air, so you know, "you gotta call and make an appointment with my arsessistant"
Hulk:
Sinobear, I understand your frustration, but look at it from their perspective: they probably think they're showing you a lot of respect by personally coming to the office and talking to you. They're showing initiative.
Have you ever worked as a manager outside of this school? Like in any western countries? Because I honestly don't think you have...
Sinobear:
I think there's a misunderstanding - if someone just shows up at HR and inquires about a job, that's initiative. If someone just shows up and expects the manager to give them an on-the-spot interview, that's presumptuous. To update, the candidate wanted a definite answer by 1000 this morning.
Hulk:
Okay, I agree with you then. Sounds like a douche, really. "I want an answer by x time," means you're dealing with a pretty arrogant individual who thinks he's God's gift to ESL and deserves all of your time and respect.
Is that job description: 'walk....and hug an octopus'?
I know few takers I could recommend, butt...before referals....I think, you must specify, should one 'jump' or 'fish' before hugging?
P.S.
I must admit, you're again very close to the 
'Answer of the Day', IMHO!
Hulk:
Hey bro, I'm just having a little bit of trouble understanding most of your posts... no offense intended, I just don't understand what you're trying to say most of the time...
icnif77:
'one doesn't need to jump of the short bridge to hug an octopus!'
Jnusb416:
Usually he's making a joke, he just has a strange sense of humor. I like it.
Scandinavian:
we need a neutral thumb for this kind of posts. Admin, can we have a thumb pointing to the side ?
