Job Discussion Forums

[Janiny]

Good day to you fellow ESL teachers,

I am certain you are all aware that the world economy is on a downturn, possibly its worst since the 1930's. An advantage of ESL, like tobacco and alcohol, is that in good times people demand it; and in bad times they demand it all the more!

I had a thought. Rather than griping and joking around on this forum: how about if we ESL teacher spent some time sending out curriculum vitae for jobs we don't need?

My idea is to include our expected salary in the cover letter or CV itself, and ask for a mark up on what you know the school is probably offering.

We would not actually pursue these jobs or egg the hapless ESL institute on. Just simply present your splendidly impressive education and experience, or at least your apple-cheeked youthful photo to let them know what sort of teachers are out there.

The point is we would inform them of our expectations.

You guys know what a fair salary should be in the country you're working in, and maybe a few others besides. Let's help out our brethren who are looking for jobs to get a better salary.

So all I'm suggesting is spending a little less time on the forum and a bit more on the job board, at Dave's and elsewhere.

I emphasize that I am not suggesting we present ourselves as seriously pursuing a particular job offer - beyond the initial emailing of a resume which includes a declaration of fair to comfortable salary expectation.

Maybe, just maybe it will raise awareness among potential employers of our needs, which are after all, merely human.

If enough of us do it, we can make a difference. Here's an inspirational paraphrase I picked up in a book on recycling:

Never think that a small group of people cannot change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has!

Christ and the twelve leap to my mind as an excellent example.

Now the Korean Forum, and perhaps the Chinese, and others I don't know about have a separate registration from this main international forum. May I ask any of you who are registered on another forum, Dave's Cafe or elsewhere, to please pass this message on?