Job Discussion Forums

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject: Form Letters

I'm currently working in Ecuador, where amongst a lot of other things, I'm involved in selecting and hiring new teachers.

I've recently noticed that some TESOL training programs offer training in writing cover letters. As shown by the many threads on this topic, it's probably an area that requires some training, so this doesn't have to be a bad thing.

But a free recommendation- make sure your cover letter is both concise and original. Yesterday morning, I received a not-bad-looking, enthusiastic, keen, though somewhat lengthy cover letter from a recently qualified teacher interested in a position with us.

I found the letter to be a bit "too-much," if you know what I mean, but not necessarily a disqualifier. (It was a bit of a "why I want to teach" essay, but didn't seem too bad.)

Later in the day, I received the same letter again, from two other applicants. The third one actually read:

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

My cover letter rarely exceeds three lines in total. I briefly summarise the point of writing to them and add that my cv is attached. In the current demand of teachers, they hire everybody that can spell their names, anyway.

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

My cover letter is pretty long, about four paragraphs. Sad that people are copying cover letters and these are probably the same teachers who will chew their students out for copying and pasting.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 2:59 pm Post subject:

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

I wouldn't learn much from a three-line coveing letter. When you are applying to institutes in a country other than where you reside, then it is unlikely that they will call you for an interview. It is simply impractical. The covering letter is, for me as a Head of Department and in charge of recruiting, a chance to get to know the applicant a little.

I look for someone who has an interest in teaching. By this I mean that I would like to see someone who is aware of current issues and trends in teaching but has formed their own ideas about these, someone who doesn't simply regurgitate jargon. I also mean someone who demonstrates a joy of teaching - you don't have to wax lyrical about grand ideas such as education changing lifes, just make it clear that you do actually enjoy being in the classroom and want your students to feel the same way.

I dislike the formulaic letters too. I understand that when you are applying from abroad you often bombard several prospective employers but at least find out whether you are sending your CV to a university, school or language institute. I teach at a bi-lingual school, and I regularly get letters from people declaring a passionate interest in teaching here because of a love for teaching adults. My school has a web-site - if you want to teach here so much, check it out and stick in a paragraph which makes me think you are applying here specifically. I'm a very busy person and therefore easy to trick! All you have to do is take 5 minutes to look at a few websites, write one covering letter for schools, another for universities and a third for language institutes. Put in the name of the place and you are on to a winner!

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

I interview Chinese teachers for English teaching positions here in China. I can't stand listening to memorized self introductions. I want something that is natural and spontaneous. I also give them a conversation to read plus a bit from a story and tell them to read as if they were reading it to students. Mono tone reading is a straight goodbye!

I also ask them if they like children and what they would do if a class or student stopped following directions. Many have no idea of class control and I know that they will have major problems. I want fun teachers who however know how to control a class.

Like Justin I tend to get turned off by a long introduction. Past history is what I take notice of not self promotion. I want to see someone who is alive with a happy nature. Two thirds of those I interview are to me dead and have no place in a classroom.

Nowadays with MSN Messenger and Web Cams all of the above can be done over the internet and many are requiring it in an effort to sort out the rubbish.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

My cover letters are generally 4 paragraphs.

paragraph 1: what position I'm applying for, taken verbatim from the job ad (e.g., Language Instructor/English Language Teacher/English Language Teaching Specialist...); years of experience + MA; where I saw the job ad

paragraph 2: my specific skills and qualifications that relate to the job--this requires just a few minutes of research into the program--e.g., if the job requires TOEFL experience, I won't go into detail about the speaking classes that I've taught; I'll talk about my TOEFL experience

paragraph 3: what I like about the program--again, this requires just a few minutes of research--and how I think I can benefit the school and vice versa

paragraph 4: thanks and how to contact me

The first things that I do when drafting a new cover letter are change the date (don't want to send out a letter dated six months ago!) and change the name and address.

d

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

My cover letters are generally 4 paragraphs.

paragraph 1: what position I'm applying for, taken verbatim from the job ad (e.g., Language Instructor/English Language Teacher/English Language Teaching Specialist...); years of experience + MA; where I saw the job ad

paragraph 2: my specific skills and qualifications that relate to the job--this requires just a few minutes of research into the program--e.g., if the job requires TOEFL experience, I won't go into detail about the speaking classes that I've taught; I'll talk about my TOEFL experience

paragraph 3: what I like about the program--again, this requires just a few minutes of research--and how I think I can benefit the school and vice versa

paragraph 4: thanks and how to contact me

The first things that I do when drafting a new cover letter are change the date (don't want to send out a letter dated six months ago!) and change the name and address.

d

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

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

I'm curious if there are differences between the way North Americans, Europeans and Oceanians write their cover letters and prepare their CVs.

I personally don't see anything wrong with a 4 sentence cover letter if each of the sentences is concise. Most of your pertinent experience will be included in your CV anyway. Admittedly, I've never hired anyone for a job, but I would imagine 100 cover letters each 4 paragraphs long would be a heck of a lot to sift through.

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I guess I think of the cover letter as the document that you can tailor specifically to each and every job you apply for. Of course I attach my CV as well, but I don't change it for every job the way I change the cover letter. If I want to highlight certain aspects of my experience, I do so in the cover letter, with the CV going into more depth. My CV lists all of my teaching jobs and all of my experiences--the cover letter allows me to draw the person's attention to those aspects that are most relevant. I don't want someone to have to go point by point through my CV to see that I do, in fact, have the required or desired experience--I tell them upfront. And I do so in about half to three quarters of a page.

And depending on how you design your CV, a cover letter can show your writing skills--CVs can be written in bullet points.

d

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

I'm still a fan of more detailed cover letters! I suppose my situation is a little different though in that I work in a school in Peru and we can't interview anyone face to face unless they are in the country already.

I'm not just looking for what a CV can tell me - experience, qualifications etc. I also need someone who will cope with life in a developing country, will fit into the team I already have working here and will bring something extra to the school such as interest in sports, drama, debating etc. A four line cover letter won't do it. I frequently get the 3 line cover letters and what appears to be an interesting CV and then have to contact the person for a more detailed cover letter. I prefer those people who send them to me right away: in the long run it saves me time.

That said, one amazing cover letter saved me a lot of time! It read like this (spelling as shown!)

i'm in peru, need a job. CV attached.

PS i like kids

No need to check that CV or ask for more detail in the next letter...

smuvkat25 · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 25 Location: USA

[quote="Justin Trullinger"]I'm currently working in Ecuador, where amongst a lot of other things, I'm involved in selecting and hiring new teachers.

Justin,

I'm currently finishing up my M.Ed. in TESOL and I have looked into teaching in South America. Ecuador appeals to me. However, I was planning on going over to Korea for a few years so I could pay of my student loans.

After I knock out that loan, I would love to teach in Ecuador. However, I have not seen too many jobs advertised in that country. Would you be at all interested in helping me network in that country? As far as saving money goes, would it be possible to handle a $200 USD loan amount on a teacher's salary in Ecuador? What are the ranges in salary? I know the cost of living is relatively low, but I am green when it comes to most of the particulars.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Nick from Cleveland, Ohio USA