Job Discussion Forums

[Mari]

I'm just starting out in this field and would be really helpful if you if those with experience could give me some advice on the following:
what are the best ways to apply for a TEFL position in Europe (provided the position wasn't advertised and I know just the name of the school): fax, email, regular mail, phone call, showing up at their door?
Also is it important to know the name of the person I address my cover letter to? And what should the cover letter say?
Would be really grateful if someone could respond! thanks!

[grahamb]

If you're already there, visit prospective employers and speak to the director and/or director of studies. Take plenty of copies of your CV. Make sure your CV has a contact telephone number - rather obvious, but you'd be amazed at the number of people who omit telephone numbers.

[spiral78]

The previous poster's right, most Western European schools don't hire or even set up interviews in advance. You'll need to be there, CV in hand, with your professional qualities in evidence to get a hearing. The job market's relatively tight there.

[Mari]

Thank you so much for responding! But I'm still not there and can't visit them in person. So does it make any sense to send out my CVs to as many schools as possible? Or they receive too many and wouldn't care?

[grahamb]

There's no harm in sending your CV: teachers come and go, so if you're planning starting work in the next academic year, this is a good time to apply. Whether they offer you a job or not is a different matter.
If you're considering working for an international company (Berlitz, Wall Street, English First, etc), contact them and see if they'll interview you in your home country.