Job Discussion Forums

[haopengyou]

I am going to put together a package of documents to begin looking for a job overseas. I would like to have a package that is complete enough so I don't have to keep running here and there to find things and waiting days and weeks until they get here. What else should I add to the following list? BTW, I am an American, if that makes any difference with the documentation.

recommendation letters
verification of authenticity of my community college accounting credential
California secondary teaching credential
copy of my passport
photo (what kind? suit and tie photo?)

I am planning on having a physical this coming week. Should I include a copy of that? I don't anticipate any problems

Should I get some kind of aids/std test? also no problems there

What about a criminal background check? Should I get that? Is that a local police department thing?

Should I prepare a lesson and then video it?

Anything else? Please feel free to point me to websites to help me. I tried googling on this topic but did not know which words to use, so ended up with a bunch of junk.

[Glenski]

Before you start paying for things you don't need, how about telling us where you intend to apply?

As for a photo, yes, of course have one with a suit and tie. Don't second-guess casual photos.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

If you have a California teaching credential, why don't you already know what a police check is?

Anyway, especially for things like a police check, hold off until you decide where you want to go. There are different kinds, some countries will require one kind or another for a visa, some won't require it at all.

A picture should definately be suit and tie, head and shoulders. But a picture itself may not be necessary. It is for Japanese employees in Japan. But it's not always required by foreigners on English resumes in Japan., though it SOMETIMES is. Same with a physical.

You need to make some decisions before you go jumping in and paying for stuff you don't need, and may confuse potential employers if they don't require the information. For example, if you give a potential employer a clear AIDS check along with a cover letter, they'll think it's pretty strange and wonder why you sent it.

I know you don't want to be running all over, getting stuff last second, but the reality is that that's what you will likely be doing, especially if your job search is global instead of picking a country you want to work at, and taking it from there.

[superturbo]

I am also looking to apply to various schools in Eastern Europe primarily and I realise this is something I haven't even considered yet: an up to date resume or portfolio.

I have a 'Record of Achievement' which I think would be sufficient, and I can get photos taken of myself (with suit and tie of course). What other important things are required aside from qualification certificates and such?

[denise]

You might also need copies of transcripts. The last time I was back in the US, I made sure to contact my unis and get original, sealed transcripts.

I agree that you might want to hold off on some of the health/background checks. Not only do you not know if you'll need them, but you can't even be sure that they will be accepted. I had to do an HIV test here in Oman. Maybe I could've done one at home, but maybe not... Sometimes places like to see their own tests on their own letterhead in their own language. Best to wait and see, and if you need to get tests done, ask your school to help you.

The best thing to do, I think, is to ask the schools directly when you're applying for jobs. If a job ad asks for a CV and cover letter, send them those things. If they ask for a CV, cover letter, transcripts, 20 photos on a blue background, copies of your favorite recipe, etc., etc., then send all of those--but don't send them to places that don't ask for them.

d

[Sonnet]

Replies may vary for different types of school, or different countries!

FWIW, I hire teachers for a private language school, part of a large chain, in mainland China.

Things I require from applicants:
- Up-to-date resume/CV
- Contact details of two referees

Things we require for legal paperwork:
- Scans of degree certificates or transcripts (degree cert is usually sufficient)
- Scans of TEFL/TESOL certification (or provisional transcripts for recently-completed courses - certificates can take time!)
- Scan of photograph page of current passport

Things we don't require:
-Written references are a nice bonus, but meaningless without verifiable contact details for the referee. I can knock up a fake reference pretty easily, and I'm sure most applicants could too.

-I'm not a fan of cover letters; they tend to be banal lip-service, and you can find out a lot more about peoples' character, motivation and intentions from email and telephone correspondence.

- Photographs. Believe it or not, not all schools in Asia hire on looks! Yes, a suit-and-tie picture can look professional, but again, it's my experience that one can much better judge professional character from both informal and formal correspondence. This cuts both ways - any old school can knock out a flashy e-brochure, but prospective teachers can make much better judgements from corresponding with the DoS and teachers of a school.

I'm sure it might be very different for different schools elsewhere, but hopefully this perspective is of use to somebody.

[haopengyou]

Thanks! I am looking at the middle east, specifically places that pay $$ I do not intend to automatically include everything, and realize that I will still have to run around but want to do as much as possible so that I can have as little disruption to my life as I can during this "ordeal" (I had job search). It might be an international school or could be otherwise. This is a new experience for me. When I was in China I just walked into a school, had an interview, did a practice lesson and got a job. I always had a practice lesson up my sleeve when I walked in the door.

[naturegirl321]

Scan your photos, recommendation letters, degrees and certs. Same with your passport, the first two pages with your photos and info.

Physical and police thing should wait they're usually only good for 90 days. Now some states are going through the state not the city for CBC. Videotaping a lesson might help, I've only had one request for it though in 6 years.

ONe thing I've done is gte recommendation letters from ALL my jobs, they serve as proof of teaching experience.