Job Discussion Forums

[PAULH]

Miscellaneous

American Citizen Native English Speaker

small case except "American" a"English".
Spousal Visa (expires 10 / 2007)[/quote]

"Visa" is small case (visa)


1. Delete the bullet points on what you did in each job description. Technical, full of jargon. Irrelevant content andvocabulary level is too high for a non-native speaker. Even native speakers dont understand most it unless they are scientists and that is not what you are aiming for here.

Just say when you worked and where and your job title

Write English as if your non native speaker reader is a 6th grade level in English. Talk to him like hes a 10 year old without being condescending.

2. Put your education history at the top. Dont use initials as the reader wont know what they mean

BS (not bulls--t) but Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 1989 (Major not needed). Not everyone knows where LA is or UCLA. Dont assume the reader knows what you are referring to.

Do you have two identical Science degrees, with you graduating in 1989, or are these majors in one degree? Confusing to reader.

Put your coaching, hobbies etc under "miscellaneous"

Do you speak any other languages than English??

Do you have a drivers licence?

Do you have any other certificates?

[ndorfn]

Good luck with your jobhunting. Of course the resume is important, but the bottom line is it's not easy to get a f/t job in japan at the moment.

A lot of the jobs, as a previous poster said, are settled through word of mouth and not advertised. very frustrating unless you have good contacts. I've just moved and am in the same boat, don't know anyone and spent loads of time emailing, phoning and visiting people, all to no avail.

Hang in there.

[negin]

I'm starting to understand what I have to do in terms of writing my resume and cover letter. I cut down my resume a lot but it looks like I need to cut down some more.

- Gordon: You made me laugh out loud "don't even know what 90% of it means and they won't either or care." I thought I simplified things down but I was assuming that the reader would be somewhat technical. You made some very good points.


- Paul H: Thanks for breaking it all down. I appreciate your efforts.


- ndorfn: It's not easy out there. Good luck to you too!


I'm going to keep trying but I'm arming myself with a rewritten resume and cover letter.


Thanks for the support and input!!!

[nomadder]

Oh my God! I couldn't read ANY of that professional experience and I read real books unlike the average Japanese who probably won't read more than a manga. I would consider cutting it all or putting 1 or 2 with a few details or mention a background in computers-good at organizing etc. Dig for any other experience more appropriate for this position. I never put dates on my res and no one ever cares. Put in the qualities that make you sound like you are eager to learn, enthusiastic etc. The part before the prof. exp. was much better. Hope this helps.

[Sweetsee]

Hi Negin,

Get that job, yet? You wrote:

"Do I need to dumb my resume down more? Or expand? You said, "Each position requires a resume tailored for that position. Keep it simple, and I mean very simple. " I'm confused as to each position? Are you referring to the positions I've held or the position I'm applying to. Currently, I'm looking looking for a teaching job and I should've paid more attention to my cover letter."

Employers want to know about teaching experience, a lot or none is best.
I would have my name and telephone bold and large type at the top. I would want them to be able to be standing there at the printer and out of the reams of resumes, I would want their eye to catch mine.

I would frame my resume with these things in mind:
Objective-
Personal Data-
Experience-
Education-

Listen to what Gordon tells you, and others too. How about retooling that puppy and posting it for us to see. I'm tempted to thrash out what I consider an effective C.V. to show you but I am on vacation.

So, all the best to you and remember that telephone contact can put your foot in the door or not, nailed the job that led to my current position over the phone in Tokyo. They are aleays looking for people.

Of course, visa and marital status are very important to employers. You want your document to high light your plusses, what ever they may be.


Good luck,
s

[kitano]

If you aren't getting much response then why not try doing private lessons since you don't have to worry about a visa. Also get involved with some activities where you can talk to other foreign residents, those contacts will lead to jobs.

I hate to say it but you are likely facing age discrimination. I'm the same age and at a school I used to work at I was constantly advocating older candidates over younger ones. Older teachers almost always worked out better because they were more mature, had a better work attitude, and had more to talk about with adult students. A higher percentage of younger hires couldn't adjust and just left Japan etc. Anyway no matter what I said or what the evidence from their own experience the school would always revert to young young young.

The good news is that whatever school hires you is likely to be a much cooler school.