Job Discussion Forums

ready2flybutterfly · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 8

I'm a recent TEFL graduate (class and practicum) and have started applying for my first job. I have no ESL teaching experience (but do have it in another, unrelated field).

Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do about my lack of references from previous employers?

My teachers are no longer at the school where I originally got my certificate.

I would appreciate any ideas you may have.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

Ask the school to forward your contact info to your old teachers (they might even give you an email address). Go back to former employers and talk to them. I've never met someone who said no when I asked them to be my reference.

bigbadsuzie · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:53 am Post subject:

Get your hands on some headed paper and write your own using the old teachers names .

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

Besides being dishonest, I'd say faking reference letters is not a good plan because some employers are going to want to communicate directly with the reference. I asked people from my previously unrelated field to be references for me because they could still speak to whether or not I would be a good employee. Reliable, hardworker, personable, works well with others, etc. If you've done any kind of staff training, public presentation, etc. your references can relate that to what kind of a teacher you might be too.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

For entry-level EFL positions, the employer just wants to know if you are a reliable trust-worthy person. Former co-workers, classmates, friends, etc. will all work just fine.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Many places don't check references. I knew a guy who made up an email address and put himself as a reference and never heard from anyone, but still got jobs.

I personally get references when I leave on paper and then just photocopy those to give to perspective employers

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject:

But it's true, places that DO check references may find it a bit shady if they can't communicate with anyone; better, in my opinion, to give a good, reliable, unrelated reference, than a dodgy, uncontactable teaching reference.

It does say something about the kind of places you've been teaching if it's too difficult to get references from them.

Best,
Justin