Job Discussion Forums

[nevdale]

Edit: clarification

Hello!

This is my first post so a quick thanks to everybody for the sheer volume of information on these forums. It's been an interesting read so far, if daunting. Hopefully, all will become clear over the next few years. Hopefully...

I'm applying for my first ESL position over the next few weeks (well, I hope it's only a few weeks!) and I'm going to start by sending out a run of cold emails (CV, cover letter and photo) to a list of universities in China I'm putting together, as well as putting my CV on ESL Cafe's job boards.

However, I'm just a little concerned about firing ALL of my personal details and professional/education history into the ether... Identity fraud and all that. I will definitely put down most recent employers, CELTA centre, qualifications and university, but... home address?

To clarify, I will be making it clear in the cover letter that I am happy to send the 'full CV' if they are interested in hiring.

Could you give me some advice on whether withholding some particular information would affect my job prospects? (Address, phone number, school names etc.) Do I just have to bite the bullet? Do employers expect to see everything on a prospective CV, or would an email address suffice?

Sorry If this is naive - I'm new to all this and a search of the forum didn't turn anything up.

Thanks for the help!

[tttompatz]

Your resume should include a method of contact (in addition to e-mail) but I wouldn't put full address particulars into it (not necessary and takes up space).

As far as other stuff...

for employment history:
dates, employer name, city, job title, a couple of bullets.
(addresses and/or e-mail/websites not required)

for education:
degree/cert, school, dates (addresses and/or e-mail/websites not required)

for RELATED personal interests:
short bullets.

References:
name/city/position.
(particulars or copies of reference letters on request).

Keep it short (under 2 pages), relevant and clean.

IF you are sending directly to the employer (do not post these on a public forum/board) then ADD low resolution scans (100k file size or smaller) of:
i) passport information page
ii) degree and/or TESOL cert, QTS card.
iii)CBC if you have one.

The package is complete, the employer has at their fingertips all the relevant information and you clearly show that you are ready NOW for employment and ready to begin the visa application process when you are hired.

.

[naturegirl321]

Some people black out important info in their passport scans. I don't. Honestly, in this day and age, if anyone wants info they can hack into computers. And I don't mean my personal computer.

My sister's MAJOR credit card company has been hacked into at least three times int he past year. They've stolen her credit card info and much more. If peopel want it, they'll find someway to get it.

My CV, in addition to the normal stuff, includes

Full name
Address
Cell phone
DOB
marital status with no kids
Visa status
nationality
Photo
Sex

Not all employers want this, but most want more than the average american employer does.

[rafaella]

I tend to be more cautious than naturegirl but that's probably because I've been a victim of fraud and sorting it out was a major headache.

I include my email address, mobile phone number and location but not my full address. I also give my nationality and provide a photo.

I don't include my DOB, marital status or passport number in the initial stages and it hasn't caused me any problems yet. That may depend on the country though and I'm definitely not an expert on Asia. I'd be interested to ask a question here - if I apply for a job in Asia and don't provide all of my personal details upfront, will I jeopardize my chances of getting a reply?

Regarding work history, length of CV and so on, I take much the same approach as tttompatz.

[naturegirl321]

[rafaella]

Yes, I take your point about providing what was asked for in the advert. It would look careless and create a bad impression. I think I would be more cautious if I was sending out CVs cold as the OP said he/she was planning to do.

I live abroad but was the victim of fraud on a trip back to my home country, the UK!

[naturegirl321]

Were you a victim of fraud because of sending out your CV? In the US, they have little machines that can scan your credit card through your purse, or ways of getting your debit card info off the gas pump. That I understand, but by sending a CV, I don't know.

[denise]

Your biggest risk will be in posting your CV on a public site. Not just because of potential hackers, but because of all of the spam you might get. If you have contact info for the universities and just email them directly, it should be safe, I would hope.

I agree with the comments about providing exactly what they ask for. I would add not to send info they don't ask for. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I honestly can't remember being asked to include my birthdate, marital status, etc., and as an uppity, indignant American, I never have included it! I don't even remember if I've even attached a photo. I send those things later, as they are required for visas. But that's just me...
d

[nevdale]

Thanks for all the feedback - exactly the kind of advice I was looking for! Hopefully this thread will come in useful for others in the future, too.