Job Discussion Forums

christa · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

Im taking a 120 hr TESL course but dont have any experiance and i dont have a BA.Just a college diploama.
any hints on how to do a resume for someone with no experience yet??

Calories · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 361 Location: Chinese Food Hell

List your TESL cert, your college diploma...have you done anything at all teacher like or with children? List it or make it up no ones looking.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

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

No experience?
Make a standard resume with short bullets for each of the jobs you have had. Don't try to BS your way with buzzwords, and don't BS a reviewer with things like, "I worked in retail, so I know all about pleasing customers like your students!"

As Kent wrote, know how to sell yourself. I especially second his points about a cover letter. This is what employers usually read first, and it tells them so much more about candidates than the attached resume anyway. I'm not talking just about what you write, but how.

In addition, know the market and potential employers well enough to tell them what they want to hear. Many will ask the same questions regardless of country.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=40695

Don't be the type that, for example, fell in love with Japan because of cartoons and feel like that is a personal selling point.

ktodba · Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 54 Location: UK

This is another recommendation to follow Kent's advice.

Some follow up points.

Don't Lie - sooner or later you will be found out which will either affect your job hunt now or your future references. The EFL / ESL / ESOL world is small and you will find that people know each other and swap information - some of the people reading your CV / Resume may be posting here.

Stress the positive and how specifically you will help, if you feel you have nothing then don't despair, stress your ability to learn and adapt and hope that your CV lands on the right desk at the right time - this is often the key to getting a good job irrespective of CV.

Don't lose confidence in yourself, it will happen but the chances are that sooner or later you will have a bad experience, when you do - learn from it and refine it into annecdotes to tell on boards like this later. Nobody who has any degree of experience is without horror stories after a while though you stop feeling the horror and remember why you're doing this.

Send out speculative applications to places you think you might like and keep your fingers crossed - after you've got your first post negotiating is easier but only if you've been truthful in the first place.

Treat this as a learning experience and try and enjoy it. I've had a lot of success with speculative applications both when I was starting out and now, remember that the person reading the appication will probably be working with you if you are hired so try and take that into account if possible. Show you've done your research and keep your chin up.

KES · Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 722

Christa,

There are schools out there this minute looking for people.

The main thing they want is somebody who has a positive attitude, some emotional maturity and can be a team player.

All the other stuff is just secondary.

What good is God's gift to credentials if he or she can't hack it living in a foreign country?

Really, emphasize your flexibility, a sense of humor, patience, willingness to learn and enthusiasim and you'll have them running to you.

tedkarma · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject:

If "no experience" means you have never had a job before - you might stress any volunteer, group, sports, or club involvement you have had.

On a resume or CV for Asia it is important to include your photo right on your resume.

cands · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 4 Location: South Africa

Hi,

Thank you for the fantastic advice!

Ive got a few other questions...
1. If i'm applying for a 4-12 year age group position and there has been no specification as to what level i should conduct the demo, can i assume a certain level?

2. Is it safe to follow a 'presentation, practice, production' teaching method for a demo? Though obviously shorten each section according to the time allocated for the demo?

3. How do i not overcomplicate things for myself? Smile

I have no experience teaching and do not want to mess up but i'm determined i can do this!

Any suggestions would be fantastic, thank you Very Happy

ilaria · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 88 Location: Sicily

Cands wrote:

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

What your resume lacks you can make up for in your cover letter. Elaborate on the specific things you did as part of your diploma program that will benefit your future students ("As part of my diploma program I took courses in English Language and Literature, as well as several courses from the Faculty of Commerce including Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management and Business Law"). Obviously target that the type of job you're applying for. Talk about the things you learned during your TESL course ("During my TESL course I worked intensively with adult learners at elementary and intermediate levels on skill development and language awareness. I am confident with lesson planning, materials design and classroom management."). Finally, end with your "additional qualifications" like second languages, drivers' licenses, work permits and of course, the day you would be available to start work.

Format that all in proper business letter format and you'll be ahead of 75% of the other applicants.