Job Discussion Forums

aynnej · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 3:20 pm Post subject:

I agree with everything that's been said here. Just one more thing to add, most entry-level teaching jobs here will require you to teach children. Rapport with children is every bit as important (more so for most employers, I'd say) as a linguistic background. If your resume sounds like you're a scary tech-head or business man, you're going to have a tough time getting an interview. Likewise, if you use too much jargon during the interview (especially if you're interviewing with a Japanese person who isn't likely to understand technical vocabulary), you're not going to get the job. One of the important skills for teaching EFL is grading your language. If you can't grade your language enough to speak with an educated adult Japanese person, they're going to assume you can't grade your language enough to speak with a not-yet-educated Japanese six year old.

ssjup81 · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 6:56 pm Post subject:

In all honesty, I've only had to really do cover letters for Japanese applications. I've rarely ever had to do that for jobs I've applied to here in the states. Seems references carry more weight or something.

To the OP, I had the same problem somewhat. I was finding it a tad bit difficult finding much of anything. I was rejected by JET too, even though I had tutoring experience, experience working ESL students, and experience working with children. Who knows why they rejected me. Could've been my SoP or something because I didn't even get to the interview process. I only tried out for JET once. I kept applying to different jobs, and finally got one with Heart English School in 2010. I came back after my contract ended in 2011 since the BoE for the area I was in, dropped Heart and went with JET and I had a death in the family, so I wasn't really concentrating on finding another one.

Anywho, I have different CVs and different resumes. Like for my one where I was interested in business work, I only listed jobs and experience that actually had something to do with the job I was seeking in question. For anything involving school or education related jobs, I'd only list on the resume jobs and experience I had that could actually apply or was relevant to the position I was applying for. I worked at SunTrust Mortgage for two years (before being laid off) processing mortgage loan applications. When seeking employment to work as an ALT or any education related job, I didn't even put it on there. Also, while at SunTrust, I worked for a Japanese translating company part time. I was doing data entry for that. I included this, but dressed it up a bit to show that I had cultural experience with Japanese clients who would come to the office. I also took lessons through this company.

I think your resume is impressive, but a bit difficult to follow since I was always told that your resume is supposed to be simple. I guess a summary of what you can do.

For your schools, that's way too much. I only posted things relevant to the position or anything education related in my bullets. For my community college, I included that I was a member of the SVEA (Student Virginia Education Association) and secretary of the Future Teachers Club. For one of my jobs, albeit a short-termed one, I mentioned that I was recognized for Teacher Appreciation Week.

I guess it's like others have said. Just dumb it down a bit and use simpler English, especially if there is that possibility that the person who will read your resume may not have English as a first language.

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

Ok I'm commenting again. I want to make sure you are really with "the program" as far as best practices in job applications are concerned.

If you are emailing someone your resume, your resume should not be in the body of the e-mail, but should be included as an attachment (word document format - no other format).

The body of your e-mail in most cases is your cover letter. You will have to get a feel for this to find the proper length. Just remember you are writing to people, but also remember your letter represents your professional enquiry about a position.

Do your homework and google "sample cover letters" or "sample resumes".

Some employers may ask for a Japanese style resume. Don't be afraid to ask an employer to clarify although you can google what this involves as well.

The standard US (UK) style resume should initially be a 1 pager.

I've had reasonable success with my resume written in this format:

TIMOTHY P. FOX
address
Phone: (xxx) xxx-xxxx � E-mail: [email protected]

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: (one sentence)

AREA OF CERTIFICATION:

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

EDUCATION:

AWARDS:

Good luck!

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

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

Don't forget that some employers scan resumes for keywords, so they may actually want some of them in email bodies. No special formatting is required then.

Randomlyhopeless · Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 2

Much appreciation here posters! Thank you all for you input and time! This is some really great advice you've all given me.

Some quick points and thoughts (in no particular order):

a) I have multiple C/V's and Resumes, I posted the most "formal" and "academic" of them because you are all (I'm assuming) native English speakers. This one looks funky/cluttered because the spacing didn't cross over from MS Word. Less bullet points, understood! Rephrasing! Thank you!

b) I have a cover letter that is fairly form-based/prepackaged that I tailor for every application. If it's a really good job opening I will rewrite large portions to align with the company's statement/mission (listed on their website typically).

c) I've only ever been contacted by native English speakers, I'm beginning to see why thanks to all of your help and advice.

d) When I apply by email everything is sent by attachment in .pdf, labeled, and has duplicate simple text copies included in the email below my cover letter just in case there are file extension issues, attachment issues, etc.. Attachments are listed in the email with the standard "attached please find:" form.

e) As for the typical US resume coming across as bragging and hubris in the eyes of the Japanese, I ran this by two professors who had worked in Japan and their advice was that it was an "exaggeration" and "not really an issue." Further, I asked a Japanese friend who was born and raised in Yokohama and she said it's not a big deal and is expected from US nationals. With all of your input I will readdress this hahaha. Thank you!

f) Buzzwords, EXACTLY! Those are deliberate for the reason someone mentioned: most prospective employers scan resumes quickly. (My apologies I forgot whose name). I'll tone it down though, clearly I'm at 11 and have nowhere else to go from there.

g) "Dumbing down." Yeah... I ran into this problem my entire college career with writing, all the way up to--and including--my senior thesis I used words that stumped professors. I have a habit of USING that really expensive education I paid for Razz

. I suffer from prolixity, it's true. It doesn't come across any genre of my speech though. Thank you all for reminding me I can easily be a pretentious windbag when I write. Time to go reread Twain's rules of writing and his dissemination of "Cooper's Prose Style."

h) I'm awesome at interviews. I'm awesome at public speaking. I'm engaging, personable and incredibly entertaining. Don't roll your eyes at me! Ok, do roll your eyes, it's fine Wink

. Seriously though, oratory master here. Trust me when I say, it's not that I come across stodgy or boring. I can weave relevant anecdotes that exemplify points I'm making with ease. I understand I really sound pompous here, but it's true. I'll forgive you for not believing me. We can still be friends!

i) I don't apply to jobs that require the teaching of children for reasons other people mentioned.

j) Pictures I include are: An upper body shot of me standing in front of white background wearing a Cambridge style shirt and a tie (tied with a proper full Windsor). Hair did. All presentable like. Further pictures are two of me with previous classes I've taught (formal attire, students all smiling, beautiful winter day, you can almost smell the fresh snow and hear the geese honking as they glide by overhead). And my casual pictures (two) are of me standing next to my motorcycle overlooking a prominent river-valley in my state (great roads). I'm in jeans, boots, leather jacket, holding my helmet.

k) Man this list has become big, is anyone even reading now that I've begun to ramble?

Again though, it means a lot to me that you all responded and I'm grateful. I have a hard time asking people for help and when i receive it, it means the world to me.

Thank you all!

seklarwia · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:08 pm Post subject:

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

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:50 am Post subject:

Members using this or any thread as an opportunity on this board to take shots at a particular group of people based on their nationality (whatever that nationality may be) are going to find themselves spending their leisure time elsewhere in the future.

This kind of inflammatory nonsense in furtherance of a personal agenda is not welcome or tolerated here.

Please take yourself to a board where it is before the decision is made for you.

No more warnings. None.

Thread locked while the above is digested.