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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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 Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2004 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Here's what I think: 3 page resume is just fine if it is well written and relevant. |
That may work in Canada, but I still think that 2 pages should be the maximum. If you figure 1/4 of a page to list your contact information, the rest can be devoted solely to your teaching experience. How many employers can one fit on 1 3/4 pages? In my opinion, quite a few! Anything else to add would have to be related to affiliated professional organizations or publications, and if someone is thinking about eikaiwa work, those are (as you noted) just too much for them to consider. To me, the ideal resume for Japan lists your personal contact info, education, and work history. Leave stuff about hobbies, organizations, and publications out unless you need something to complete the first page. (And, I have seen enough resumes that are that scanty!)
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| My point is this: when I had no experience I got a job overseas faster than I could blink. Now I have been trying to get a job in Japan or Korea and haven't gotten a single response. I'm doing this just to prove my point that I will not be hired BECAUSE I AM QUALIFIED. They don't need qualified teachers only Western faces who speak English. |
So, what kind of work are you applying for? High school? University? Those places usually do prefer the qualified teachers (or at least the experienced ones). Perhaps your age is also a problem. It is in some cases. How old are you?
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| They will not hire me precisely because I know what I'm doing and will question their practices. |
I agree with you that eikaiwas would usually prefer someone quite green for this very reason. |
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The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:25 am Post subject: |
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Glenski wrote:
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| I agree with you that eikaiwas would usually prefer someone quite green for this very reason. |
I see it's not only in Korea they like fresh virgin blood teaching in little private cram schools... |
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Deconstructor
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 775
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:28 am Post subject: |
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You are right. Age may be a problem. Guessing from my resume I am in my thirties at least. Yes, ageism is rampant in many parts of the world. I am 39 and about to hit that dreaded 40 mark. God forbid, I am experienced, have taught every ESL level, age group and most nationalities of the world, participated in curriculum building and cutting edge lesson planning, have had my classes observed/recorded/analyzed by professors, primary/secondary directors, etc. Giminy gilikers, Radioactive Man, DON'T HIRE THAT GUY!!! 
As I said, a person like me is not needed in countries like Japan and Korea. I can’t say I’m sad. |
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G Cthulhu
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 1373
Location: Way, way off course.
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 1:33 am Post subject: |
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| Mike L. wrote: |
A 3 pg resume is way too long. No employer will read it.
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I'm beginning to get certain impressions about US employers and their attention spans.... :( ;)
IMO (and I've read a fair few resumes in my time) 3 pages is fine if it flows well. More than three (for a low end job) is starting to get dubious, but two or three is good.
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1 pg US standard with a cover letter tailored to the job you are applying for is best.
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Here I would disagree. *Never* use orphan "standards" such as US standard paper sizes unless you are asked for them.
You should be using proper international sizings, which means A4 usually. I used to get people from North America sending me resumes on all sorts of weird paper sizes when the company specifically (and because of the North American's habits!) asked for A4. We always binned the offending applications straight off. If you can't follow written instructions then you're out of the running straight off.
And in this day and age you should be tailoring the cover letter *and* the resume to each application. Doing both isn't difficult or particularly time consuming.
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Highlight only experience applicable to the position.
Always get at least two people to read it over. It's difficult to catch your own mistakes.
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Yup. Good advice.
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Picture goes on the upper right of the resume in Japan.
If your mailing it in buy nice textured paper. A cream or beige like color is nice. Nothing too bright or dark.
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Again, only include a picture if specifically asked or if you happen to have a *really* flattering passport-style piccie. Otherwise, leave it out.
As for paper, I disagree slightly. Most everyone uses a textured cream or beige paper these days. You're more likely to stand out with a lightly textured *white* heavyweight paper than the other ones, IMO.
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If you make the changes recommended by everyone here you'll get loads of interviews.
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Or be thoroughly confused. One of the two. :)
Enjoy! :) :) |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 1:51 am Post subject: |
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| You are right. Age may be a problem. Guessing from my resume I am in my thirties at least. Yes, ageism is rampant in many parts of the world. I am 39 |
Forget what I wrote. You are NOT too old. Heck, I'm almost 10 years older than you and still working. Got my first teaching job at 41, too.
As with the others, I will offer my advice on your resume if you choose to send it.
[email protected]
What jobs are you trying to apply for?
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| I'm beginning to get certain impressions about US employers and their attention spans |
I'll try to take that as only a polite slam and let it go. Yes, cthulhu, many Americans get flooded with resumes by the score. So, one really good way to weed through them is to give them a glance. Hard to do when they are over 2 pages. It's not attention span, then; it's logistics. Since I am American, I have offered that advice (as do most professional resume makers).
I think the key here in length is not only how well it flows (that's obviously great, and it's one way to help the reviewer glance at it and still get a grasp of your credentials), but also the font size. Anything over 12 for the main text is too large and looks childish (to me).
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| You should be using proper international sizings, which means A4 usually. I used to get people from North America sending me resumes on all sorts of weird paper sizes when the company specifically (and because of the North American's habits!) asked for A4. |
Here, sadly, Americans (I can't speak for Canadians) are at a severe disadvantage. Before I traveled abroad, I never knew there was a difference in paper sizes. You will be extremely hard-pressed to get A4 paper in the USA, if it is at all available. Too bad that you threw away those resumes, unless it was some plot (sarcasm here) to weed out the Americans. I agree that one should follow instructions for every application, but in that case it just isn't possible. |
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Deconstructor
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 775
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 3:22 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for your kind offer, Glenski, but as I said, I am not really looking for a job overseas. I'm fine where I am. I just feel that unless one wants to travel and not spend too much money, teaching overseas is a waste of time and energy that could be spent on building something worthwhile back home. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 5:31 am Post subject: |
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Deconstructor,
Sorry, but to me you sound like you're making excuses for not getting the job you think you deserve. If you're happy where you are, than why were you trying to come to Japan? With your experience and education, I can't believe you haven't gotten a job offer from Korea. I've also taught there and know anyone can find work there if they want it. Yes, you are overqualified for most conversation type schools and the pay is low when you convert to Cdn funds.
Not all teaching overseas is a waste of time and energy, don't lump all teaching jobs together. [/quote] |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:49 am Post subject: |
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Deconstructor,
Ok, no problem. I just thought that when you wrote
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| Now I have been trying to get a job in Japan or Korea and haven't gotten a single response. |
that you were looking to replace the job you have now.
As for this comment
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| I just feel that unless one wants to travel and not spend too much money, teaching overseas is a waste of time and energy that could be spent on building something worthwhile back home. |
I have to agree with Gordon. Many people find living overseas to be quite rewarding, whether financially, or personally, or both. Some even make a career out of living away from their home country. One of my old co-workers would work in Japan for 3 years or so, build up his bank account, then spend 18 months traveling in a country of his choice, then return to Japan to make more money. He's been doing that for about 15 years now. |
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sutekigaijin
Joined: 19 Jul 2003
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:35 pm Post subject: unbelievable |
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| I simply cannot understand how you are having so much trouble getting work. My monthly income is up to within spitting distance of 1 million yen a month right now. All from teaching. I simply put together the right combo of good-paying positions and it pays off! Actually, I have another possibility that is likely to come through and get me in the 1.2-1.3 million range per month. Not bad for teaching English huh? I still can't see how some people can't find a job! And yes, I work my damn ass off 7 days a week BUT I could drop some work easily too and free up some time. If you need some advice, email me. |
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Sherri
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 749
Location: The Big Island, Hawaii
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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sutekigaijin
The difference between your situation and the poster's is that you are already in Japan. You can have a perfect resume and cover letter, but unless you are here to attend the interviews (and most likely already have a work visa) you will not get a response let alone a job.
Sherri |
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Deconstructor
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 775
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 3:01 am Post subject: |
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Hi guys,
What I meant was that it is great to work overseas if your aim is to understand different cultures, travel and see the world. On the other hand, if you're trying to build a teaching career back home Canada/US, then overseas experience counts for very little even if you have 10 years of experience.
Also,
| Quote: |
Sorry, but to me you sound like you're making excuses for not getting the job you think you deserve. If you're happy where you are, than why were you trying to come to Japan? With your experience and education, I can't believe you haven't gotten a job offer from Korea. I've also taught there and know anyone can find work there if they want it. Yes, you are overqualified for most conversation type schools and the pay is low when you convert to Cdn funds.
Not all teaching overseas isa waste of time and energy, don't lump all teaching jobs together. |
Well Gordon, I have no intention of going to Japan or any Asian country. Been there done that! It was only an experiment on my part. Furthermore, What I meant was that teaching overseas as a career I consider a waste of time, but not the traveling part. It is a great thing to do. In any case, I am going to Brazil for the whole coming Summer, my wife being a Brazilian and such. I'll be working there for a while. |
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TokyoLiz
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:13 am Post subject: Brazil's probably a whole lot kinder... |
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Deconstructor,
Detarame
Last edited by TokyoLiz on Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:09 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wolf
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 1245
Location: Middle Earth
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 11:56 am Post subject: |
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I'm still a young pup, but it's been my distinct impression that ageism in Japan, while it exists, can be overcome.
I get the impression that the big 4 like younger teachers, but I've seen older people - people my parents age and of both genders - working at NOVA and ECC (I didn't know anyone at AEON or GEOS.) Including trained high school teachers in their 40s.
Most of my foreign friends were almost old enough to be my parents. I was the youngest teacher at my school - the oldest was 56.
I knew one woman - a great teacher - who unfairly lost her job to ageism, but this was after 20 + years, and she found other work after that.
I'm nost speaking from first hand experience, but I wouldn't give up on Japan just because of ageism.
Japan is hardly the worst EFL market on the planet, as GWoW probably could tell us.
A lot of people go the "take the big-4 job, and then after a couple of months settling shop around for something better" route. I did, and it worked okay. |
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nomadder
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 709
Location: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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Deconstructor I think you deconstructed your whole argument. You say going overseas would be a waste of time for you and yet you're going to Brazil.  |
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Deconstructor
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 775
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Deconstructor I think you deconstructed your whole argument. You say going overseas would be a waste of time for you and yet you're going to Brazil. |
Well Nomadder, I'm going to Brazil because my wife has a family there and wants to see them. It is also more of a vacation than anything else. I just don't believe in hanging around beaches. I'd rather work with people, which is the best way to understanding a culture. It isn't what you see but what you find.
Again, guys, I love traveling and what you guys do is great. |
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