Job Discussion Forums

[JanDobrodumow]

Hi, any advice would be appreciated on this. I am looking to get full time work for the start of the new school year....do you think sending CVs to many different private schools is a good idea? I currently have a chance to get some hours with one school, but it might not be enough hours long term to be viabble, so my plan is either to work somewhere else too (which they don't mind) or find a contractual full time position with guaranteed hours....but I'm not sure who knows who in town etc, so if I start firing off my CV to all and sundry, will this have any implications? Obviously I have only recently qualified with a CELTA, so I am an ESL newbie.

Thanks

[hrvatski]

It's the norm, no implications except possible interviews, native speakers go out armed with 20 CV's in their best suit and hit up every language school systematically. Much better than emailing CVs if you're actually in the city, since putting a CV with a colour photo in a nice folder into the hands of a receptionist says to a recruiter "I'm here now, take me!". Also, be nice to the receptionist, they can make or break you.

[simon_porter00]

Echoing the thoughts above, I'd say there was next to no point sending emails but to go out and, cv in hand + copy of your CELTA, go to schools, meet secretaries, get the details of DOSes and/or heads of methodologies and get interview dates there and then.

Right now schools will be concerned with end of year procedures, thinking about summer schools and going on holiday so hiring new teachers won't be at the forefront of their minds. Mind you, if you don't ask you don't get and I know schools like Bell employ their teachers round about now.

[JanDobrodumow]

Much appreciated. I phoned one place, snagged an interview and got a trial lesson within a week and they want me to go do some more lessons, but like you say it's bad time of year, but I am not sure they can give me enough hours long term, even if I make a good impression. That's why I was asking about approaching other schools at the same time. I guess you have to do what has to be done in order to get something going.