Job Discussion Forums

steviok85 · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 87

Hi
I know the economic crisis is affecting everything, but I am getting really fed up with applying to school after school and sometimes not even getting a response.
I have a degree, CELTA and two years' teaching experience. I appreciate it does not automatically qualify me for a job even if six positions are available.
I have had six interviews, all of which seemed to go well, and have been turned down for all of them.
I have also applied to 15 other schools, many of the jobs advertised on tefl.com, and not a peep back from them.
Anybody else in the same position?
I'm considering just giving up - and heading for the streets of Krakow next year with my guitar (where I made more money in an hour than working in a language school) and giving private lessons.
I could also fill next year with doing the DELTA or an MA.
Sorry to moan a bit!

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Do you have your references on side?

If you feel your qualifications are good enough and your interviews going well it may be advisable to look for more controllable factors for success than the economy. When the economy is tighter it is even more important to have a personal strategy well in hand when seeking employment. Review your checlist: references, performance reviews, personal presentation (dress, appearance, manners, etc), and interview skills.

If what you are doing now in terms of job search is not working for you, adjust, adapt and change rather than continue in the same manner.

steviok85 · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 87

Actually, they were telephone interviews.
I have got decent 'official' references from my schools so I may start sending them as e-mail attachments in addition to my resume. Every little helps.
I'll leave it a few weeks until I return to the UK where a few of my references lie in wait.
Cheers

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Good luck. Get a friend to do some mock interviews with you and get feedback or do a self video that you and a friend can critique. It helps.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

In any career, I've learned that one should expect to get a 10% response rate from prospective employers. You've had 6 interviews and 15 no answers. Do the math and you'll see you've actually had a better response rate.

Failed 6 interviews? Review your interviewing skills. Sounds obvious, but go over the moments with a friend. Remember that phone interviews do not rely on visual cues (unless you did the calls with a webcam, and even then the field of vision is limited).

For the cases of 15 no responses, reevaluate your resume and cover letters. Did you customize the letters to each employer (perhaps the resume, too)? Employers don't like getting "form letters" as much as you do.

DON'T put references on a resume! If you don't know what the employer is like, do you want them contacting an employer before you do?

Lastly (or perhaps this should have been first), are you sure you're even qualified for the locations where you applied? You didn't state where you are looking or what type of jobs they are.

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

Are you applying for jobs that you're not qualified for? You might be over qualified, or have visa issues. Keep applying, some schools just take forever to get back to you. Hey, did you really make tons of money busking in Krakow?

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

OP, where are you applying? What country? The demand for teachers varies greatly depending on the country.

steviok85 · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 87

In response to previous comments and questions:
1) I have mainly been applying to schools in Poland and Czech Republic which I am certainly qualified for - CELTA minimum. I have also tried contacting a few schools in Cambridge.
2) Yes I did make good money busking in Krakow. I guess I can't prove it. It certainly made for an interesting alternative 'occupation' to teaching.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Some of the street performers (or buskers) in Japan have made a lot of money. It can be irregular work depending on the weather and which locations you're allowed to play in by the police and local gangsters.

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

Don't give up. Prague is definitely saturated with teachers, but there are a lot of institutes. Look outside the capital. Try www.expats.cz for a good list of schools and jobs in the Czech Republic.

Shelly123 · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Sydney, Australia

I agree with 'parrothead' and think you shouldn't give up yet, but look outside of the capital. I've been hearing from friends in Europe (a friend in Germany and even Turkey) that they're having to wait longer than usual to hear back. I think the industry is definitely slower for the economic crisis but you're qualified and if you're presenting well in the interview, it's just a matter of time before a school will respond positively.