Job Discussion Forums

[inotu-unotme]

Have any teachers used LinkedIn to find out about job openings abroad?

It has all the information to help because your on-line presence on LinkedIn is connected to a profile that is an on-line resume. So, that should be a good thing. But, sometimes navigating and locating the right information can be confusing.

How do you find and connect with ESL groups that have a good exchange of information?

After using LinkedIn a long time I did connect with a ESL group that exchanges nice bits of information. But, its literally one group. I wonder if theres other great groups out there?

[nomad soul]

I use Linkedin to stay connected professionally with present and former colleagues---those I personally know well and feel comfortable recommending and exchanging job leads with. On the flipside, I tend not to connect with strangers because they never properly introduce themselves (if at all) and their reason for wanting to network with me. It's like they want something for nothing.

I especially like to network face-to-face at TESOL workshops, conferences, and job fairs, such as TESOL Arabia and TESOL International---I have memberships with both organizations. I've attend these events armed with eye-catching networking cards and am not shy about handing them out. Many of those new contacts end up connecting with me on Linkedin.

But let's not leave out this forum. Ironically, I've recieved job referrals from a couple of Cafe members because of my frequent "sane" postings. And I've done the same by giving a few job-seeking members leads and advice on positions. However, I have to admit I only do so if I have a clear sense of their experience, focus, goals, character, etc. Much of that comes through in the content, wording, tone... of their posts.

Frankly, I've done well in finding my own job leads so far. Plus, I teach in the Middle East, where the majority of teaching opportunities are at the university level. Employers tend to spend big bucks on advertising vacancies on their own or via recruiters. Moreover, many attend the major TESOL conferences/job fairs to recruit, interview, and sometimes, hire on the spot. Overall, I'd argue that these events offer the most bang because of their networking potential and opportunities for onsite interviews.

This is an excellent topic, by the way.

[spiral78]

Like nomadsoul, I use linkedin to stay connected with people in the profession whom I have met in person and know at least a bit. I agree that it's a bit dodgy with strangers.

My linkedin contacts also include a few select students who have moved on to great things:-)

[LongShiKong]

[LongShiKong]

[timothypfox]

I haven't found LinkedIn useful at all. People would rather have an emailed resume. I keep getting messaged by ESL teachers who teach online or are interested in technology in the classroom - things I'm not interested in. There's far too much spam from people trying to get me to "test" their new start-up ESL internet site, or yet another annoying recruiter for Saudi Arabia or China asking me to add them and then contact them about work opportunities.

It's just a place to store my resume, and contact an old classmate if I need to. This website is a far more valuable "group" for me, and Facebook or email is still what I pass on a way to contact me.

Another dead-end website to avoid is Monster.com. For a variety of reasons it is a very poor place to look for and secure a new job.

[hollysuel]

I actually got one of my best clients through Linked-in back in 2009. I had posted on a group about a conference and they contacted me for more information. I have never used the site to advertise or promote my own business save setting up a company site, however. If used correctly, this site can be useful--it is best to follow their advice and only link up with people you know and then use the group forums to network--much like this forum is used...