Job Discussion Forums

[ssjup81]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if someone here could take a look at my CV. I'm interested in work in Japan, as most already know. I'm just in need of an opinion on my CV. Like, what I should take off, maybe add.

I'm still fairly new to CV writing, which is why I made this thread in the first place.

[naturegirl321]

Sure, post it, but take off the personal info.

[ssjup81]

Okay, here it is. Since I'm interested in education, I only included work and stuff relevant to the education field.

OBJECTIVE Obtaining a position where I can train and work with students of all ages to improve my knowledge and gain experience as an aspiring teacher.

EDUCATION St. John�s University Manhattan, New York
University of Cambridge CELTA October 2009 to December 2009

Ashford University Clinton, Iowa
Social Science w/Education concentration October 2007 to June 2009

J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College
Liberal Arts Major May 2003 to January 2005

The Braxton School of Business
Computerized Accounting Program January 2002 to September 2002

ECPI Technical College
Computer Systems June 2000 to January 2001

Henrico High School
General Studies Diploma September 1995 to June 1999

EXPERIENCE WyzAnt Inhome Tutoring
Private Independent Tutor January 2009 to Present
Duties include helping students who need extra help with class assignments or homework. My specialties consist of reading, English grammar, and Elementary school work.

Moody Middle School
Temporary Instructional Assistant April 2008 to June 2008
Duties included helping out students with instruction, working with and helping to guide an autistic child, and resolving student conflict.

HOBBIES Cooking, bowling, volunteering, latchook, writing, reading, listening to music, hiking, tutoring/teaching, studying cultures of interest, studying Japanese and Spanish language.

SPECIALTIES Tutoring Elementary School children (1996 � Present), working with adults learning English Language, curriculum planning, writing up lesson plans, and organizing games for students.

ASSOCIATIONS Volunteer at the Sacred Heart Community Center School as an ESL instructor (2009), sponsored two children through the CCF (Christian Children's Fund) from May 2006 to December 2007, was a member of the SVEA (Student Virginia Education Association) and was secretary of the Future Teachers Club when at J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College (2004), PTA at Arthur Ashe Elementary School (2002 - 2004).

[naturegirl321]

Make sure that on your actual CV you include your contact info and phone.

I'm not sure if an objective is necessary.

About these, you could probably take them off. The first two aren't related to teaching. ANd the second, HS, you don't usually put on a CV if you have a uni education.

The Braxton School of Business
Computerized Accounting Program January 2002 to September 2002

ECPI Technical College
Computer Systems June 2000 to January 2001

Henrico High School
General Studies Diploma September 1995 to June 1999

Hobbies, too many. Just put two or three or take them off all together. In the US they don't usually include them on CVs. IN the UK, they do.

For Specialities, who did you work with? Put the employers name if possible

For associations, the sponsoring of children, do you mean donations every month? If so, then you could eliminate that.

[ssjup81]

[LoPresto]

As stated, an OBJECTIVE isn't always necessary, but, if you have it on your resume, like I do, I recommend changing the "goal" to helping improve the student's English, not your own knowledge or gain experience.

You might consider something like this -

OBJECTIVE An entry-level teaching position which will allow me to help improve the student's English language communication skills..

As for the EDUCATION section, I would not list my high school and would only list the schools that I/you have attained a degree/certificate from. Personally, I would list the college degree granting school 1st and then the CELTA certificate 2nd, assuming you have a college/university degree.

Beyond that, welcome to TEFL where you will soon become acquainted with the various varieties of English. As an American, I have a "resume", while someone from a different country may call the same thing a "CV" (Curriculum Vitae).

I take the "elevator" to my "apartment"; another may take the "lift" to their "flat." The list goes on.

Good Luck!

[Glenski]

If you want advice on a resume for Japan, post it in the Japan forum.

As for what I can tell you here...

Scratch the objective. Unnecessary.
Scratch the schools after the first two. Unnecessary.
Actually write that you have a degree.

Might be nice to tell prospective employers where your experience was (city, state/province/country).
Don't write in paragraphs or sentences like that. Bullets only.

Your "specialties" section is strange. If this is just a list of your self-described skills, save them for the cover letter.

List your volunteer work in ESL well before your hobbies. Geez.

[ssjup81]

[coledavis]

Basically, a good cv. Objectives not necessary for TEFL work, in my opinion. If you are going to a country where they are sensitive about infiltration by evangelists (e.g. Russia), you might want to omit the religious information.

[ssjup81]

I redid my CV. Thanks for all the advice given here. Oh, and religion information I would've never fathomed would be used for a CV. Either way, great advice from all. ^_^

[Glenski]

If you're interested in Japan, why not repost the new CV there and ask for an appraisal?

[naturegirl321]

[ssjup81]

[Justin Trullinger]

I was just browsing this thread trying to see what was going on-

I think the person who wrote this:

[coledavis]

Well, I've been told about people 'disguised as teachers' who were primarily abroad to spread 'the word'.