Job Discussion Forums

[Gregor]

This is, at the most basic, the amazing thing about a lot of people who write asking me for a job - that they are asking me for a job teaching the English language, and yet they are unable to display proficiency in the target language in their very first message to me. That is as amazing as it is absurd. It's SLIGHTLY more understandable for non-native speakers, but then again, if the hopeful isn't native-like (and I take that "like" very seriously), then I'm going to throw that message away unread beyond the obvious errors.

It's important to remember, folks, that when we apply for a job online, the employer is being asked to take as big a risk as the potential employee. You can say, "Well, it's a worker's market right now - the demand for teachers is so high, I can get a job no problem," and you may be right. But I personally would much prefer to be shorthanded - I would rather lose students even - than hire someone who is going to cause me trouble. Because that is potentially a much bigger problem than not having the teachers...at least when you are trying to maintain a standard. If my standards go down, my reputation is going to suffer irreparably, and I simply will not take that risk.
Remember these things - if you want a good job where you will be treated with respect, then you have to present yourself as worthy of those jobs.

[Justin Trullinger]

Hear, Hear!

I hear so many stories from teachers frustrated by not being treated as professionals. And I share their frustration. I AM a professional, and wish to be treated as one. But one part of getting professional treatment is exuding a professional image. I get many, many applications that make me think "Who in the �$%/& would hire these people?" And yet, I'm sure someone does. And I'm fairly sure that it isn't someone who has a high regard for English teaching as a profession.

Justin

[AdrianaBanana]

[merlin]

Hey, Justin!

Do you really care about each and every applicant that takes the time to type out a thoughtful cover page?

In fact I'll bet 90% of the time you just want to know a handful of simple details:

name
nationality
age
education
experience
photo

Are you really interested in the applicant as a whole person or just as a slot to fill?

i've said it before but what the heck I'll say it again: it goes two ways. if you want people to take such an interest in your school as to actually spend an hour or two on an application you might want to post a unique and thoughtful job ad in the first place.

For example, this week I'm applying for a non-TEFL job. More of a business proposal than a job application. But I only chose this one individual after looking at literally thousands of ads here and elsewhere.

If the fish you're looking for ain't biting you might want to consider USING DIFFERENT BAIT!

[Justin Trullinger]

[merlin]

I'm glad to see you have the right perspective Justin.

Very few recruiters / HR peple have a difficult time seeing that half the problem is theirs. Oftentimes they just post a few mundane ads on the internet and then complain about all the work they have to do shifting through thousands of applications and their poor quality.

Very few recruiters / HR people see their work as a craft requiring some degree of originality.

By way of example, a student of mine has the opposite problem: he operates a warehouse and he just needs about 10 gorillas with big meaty hooks to throw boxes around. No brains required. But his HR department advertises exclusively on the internet - the last place these sorts look for a job.

So back to the fish analogy.
Reconsider which pond you're fishing in - or indeed if you want to consider smaller streams in the headwaters.
Reconsider what bait or lures you're using. Make it look yummy for the specific breed you're looking for, not just the generic worm on a hook.
If you catch a fish that's obviously too small for heaven's sake don't waste time getting frustrated with the fish. Just gently remove the fish from his mouth, place him gently in the water and point him in the right direction.

pictures, hmmm .... the gut reaction is to say that it's not fair to judge a person by their physical appearance, it's demeaning, etc.

But just being the devils advocate here ... pictures do say a thousand words.

Gregor:
about spelling etc: The non-TEFL job ad for the job I am competing for had several speling erors. It would be foolish and petty of me indeed to pass up an otherwise excellent job opportunity over such a trivial thing. "What! He's the director of an IT company and his secretary's word processing software doesn't even have spellcheck! I could never work for such an unprofessional company!"

[ls650]

[Justin Trullinger]

True enough. Concise is important. But I'll still hold with "no info" not being the way to go. The cover letter and initial CV should be to the point, and professional. Including basic professional and personal info. (Emphasizing basic.)

Most of the "in depth" info I need, I get a little further into the application process.

Most of my recruiting is doen by word of mouth, and I rarely actually advertise any positions. At times I'm not advertising, I get anywhere from 3 to 10 applications/queries/resumes a day. When we have actually advertised a position, here on Dave's, for example, that increases exponentially. If we advertised 4, it gives me the creeping horrors to think what we'd get.

But yes, I read them all. Occasionally I have a teacher who owes me admin time, or my assistant, do the first read and sort them according to our basic criteria. But at the end of the day, mining for diamonds is hard work. I'm willing to go through a lot of hassles to get the ones I want, because I know what a good teacher is worth. And making a bad choice at hiring time is guaranteed to cause me more hassles in the long run.

Regards,
Justin

[keepwalking]

A few years back I saw the best job ADVERT I have ever seen - it attracted hundreds of applicants, in a field that normally gets as few as 5 replies...

It went something like this...


Wanted, sweet toothed person to lead our chocolate-obsessed department. We are a friendly and open bunch, as long as you are not on a diet. All we ask is that you bring chocolate biscuits to staff meetings. Enthusiasm, experience and teaching skills are a bonus. The right applicant will be rewarded by Easter Eggs every year, a chocolate advent calendar and hugs from a happy team each time you open up a new pack of biscuits.

Bet that got some interesting replies!

[guangho]

What field is this?

[keepwalking]

Teaching in the British state system, English in High schools. I remember once as a HOD being shown the applications for a position in my department. There were a grand total of three, two from a couple of Canadian lumberjacks looking for any work in the north of England and one from a guy with several convictions for assault! Needless to say we didn't appoint from that field, but I thought we should have at least interviewed the lumberjacks....

[guangho]

Tip-

Use zip files. They save space and you can store tons of stuff in them- CVs, transcripts, letters of recommendations, etc.

[waxwing]

Isn't this just common sense?
My usual approach would be:
Very brief cover letter, containing basically two elements:

A 1-3 sentence summary of all my relevant qualifications and experience defined in terms of "X years of Y". + age and nationality.

A short description of what about the job makes me feel I'd be able to do it well.

And I'd attach a CV in MS Word format.

That way they don't actually have to open the CV to get an initial feel for whether I'm interesting to them or not. CVs must be very boring to read in detail.

No photo - as a matter of principle. I'm not applying to be a model
Scans of all the documents and passport etc. is offered to be emailed later(admittedly they will see my photo at this stage .. ). Not sent with initial application, that's large and annoying for them.

I think you just have to put yourself in the recruiter's shoes a bit.

PS The most important thing about the CV is probably to have a good/excellent, current reference from somebody!

[gaijinalways]

Actually references are not that important in Japan. Introductions on the other hand, can make or break your career in some cases. Literally, nepotism is a religion here!

[naturegirl321]

I had people send me application letters that looked like this:

Hi!
im an english teacher and i saw youre ad and would like to apply for the position. is it still available?
thnx


You'd think if someone was applying for an English teacher job they could use punctuation.