Job Discussion Forums

Scarlet_UK · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 19 Location: UK

Hi,
I am looking to apply to companies like English First, Shane etc for a year-long contract. I want to apply ASAP because I'd like to start work in August/September so I need to get e-mailing over the next few days!
The problem is I have no idea what to put in my CV/Resume. I'm guessing they won't care much about stacking shelves (plus I don't have a great deal of summer job experience.) I just finished my degree, and I have a Trinity Cert TESOL qualification, plus some voluntary experience in primary schools, but that is all. All I know is that my grades from GCSE onwards should be there. So if anyone has ideas or tips on how I can present this, and what is worth including to make myself more appealing to these people, please help! I am a total newbie and feel quite clueless.

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

Try these websites, they should help you out.

http://tefltips.blogspot.com/2008/01/writing-teaching-cover-letter.html

http://tefltips.blogspot.com/2008/01/writing-teaching-cv.html

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

You haven't said what country you are thinking of. If you are under 25 then it is sounding like China might be out of the game.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=63394

..................................................................................................

For Asia in general just state what you have and keep it simple and easy to follow. We in the West are somewhat boastful but in Asia it is seen as being rude if you make too much noise out of what you have. There are plenty of positions for companies like the ones you mention with what you have so don't oversell and then disappoint after you arrive.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Preparing a Curriculum Vitae: Proven Success StrategiesNeed to write a CV? Here are the fundamentals job-seekers need to help you prepare and write a curriculum vitae -- with links to free sample vitas.
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Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

Send attachments as reasonable sized .jpg files too.

Infraview is freeware that is a graphics viewer that also resizes those 2 MB scans to a size employers can quickly download.

Scarlet_UK · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 19 Location: UK

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

But is this new law being strictly enforced? Or just in the big cities?

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

It seems that it is happening in some cases at least. I wouldn't hang out to the last minute if you are thinking of coming here as it seems to be getting harder by the day to get a visa for China. I always try no matter what I am told.

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

I receive CV's and covering letters on a regular basis - here a few things to avoid.

The CV should concentrate on recent and relevant experience. If this is sparse because you are just starting out they you can't hide that. You need to stress what experience you have and what it gave you. Don't just list a school and say 'volunteer teacher'. What did you do? What age group did you teach? Were you involved in assesment, teacher's meetings, extra-curricular activities etc?

The real crunch comes in the covering letter. I have lost count of the number of applications which are completely meaningless because the writer attempts to dress up what they are saying in jargon. 'enhancing the facilitation of student learning' means supporting your students, so say that.

It seems obvious to say but when you are applying for a job as an English teacher you have to demonstrate a high level of English. At a minimum, write in paragraphs, use capital I for the personal pronoun and spell properly. I regularly bin letters which say, 'i like teeching' I kid you not: I have received such literary gems more than once.

Good luck with your job search.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Link

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cover+letter&btnG=Google+Search

JobStar Resume Guide -- Job Search Cover LettersHow to write a good cover lettter, when to use a cover letter, sample cover letters and more.
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Cover Letters - Cover Letter Writing and SamplesCover letter writing, cover letter samples, as well as tips and tools for writing effective cover letters and other job search correspondence.
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Cover Letter Samples - Review Cover Letter Samples for ResumesCover letter samples are included in this cover letter writing guide. Review cover letter samples and examples for a variety of employment situations.
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My Future - Career Toolbox - Build a Cover LetterEvery time you send out a r�sum� or apply for a job, you'll need to have a great cover letter to send along with it. The cover letter is another way of ...
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Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

You should read the China forums.. Job Related and Off Topic. Visas are tricky right now. There is a thread about no one under 25 being granted a visa. Things can be quite flexible in China, so you might have no problems, but then again, you might. Make sure you get a Z visa before you come to China. In order to obtain one you will need documents from your employer. Read the China forums and be careful.

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Scarlet_UK · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 19 Location: UK

Thank you Ariadne, I have been reading the China forums for a long time and the Z visa issue is discussed earlier in this thread.
Thanks very much to those that have given me advice. Smile

Whilst I appreciate links, I have already of course googled this myself so it helps to have more specific information regarding my situation - keepwalking your tips in particular are just what I was after.
Anda, like you I will always try anyway, so I am still applying to companies in China and hope to get something sorted, but now I have widened my search a lot and am looking for somewhere else I feel I would be happy enough living. I am thinking of Seoul for example, as it is important to me that I still live in a big city.