| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
bluetortilla
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:30 am Post subject: Basic Professionalism- Cover Letters and CV's |
 |
|
Anybody know of good templates on the net for writing cover letters and CV's (resumes)? I've heard 'don't write generic cover letters' but how does one sound completely unique to each organization he sends out to?
Of course, I don't want to sound like I used a template off the net to write my cover letter either!
Any idiosyncrasies in general in Asia to be aware of (I realize how diverse it is, but...)?
I hope to be targeting Universities, International schools, language schools (perhaps), and the British Council. Hints/tips most welcome.
Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Basic Professionalism- Cover Letters and CV's |
|
|
| bluetortilla wrote: |
Anybody know of good templates on the net for writing cover letters and CV's (resumes)? I've heard 'don't write generic cover letters' but how does one sound completely unique to each organization he sends out to?
Of course, I don't want to sound like I used a template off the net to write my cover letter either!
Any idiosyncrasies in general in Asia to be aware of (I realize how diverse it is, but...)?
I hope to be targeting Universities, International schools, language schools (perhaps), and the British Council. Hints/tips most welcome.
Thanks. |
For your cover letter:
If you are applying to the BC you will need to include your CELTA cert. particulars.
If you are applying to international schools you will need to include your teacher's license / certification particulars.
For language schools, it depends on the ad they have placed. Answer what they are looking for. Suggest how you would be the best candidate for the job (beyond a re-listing of your credentials - what can you do for them).
If you are looking at university positions and don't have post grad credentials you will need to somehow show you have something special to offer a group of students who may be more qualified than you are.
As to the resume/CV, Resumes ARE boiler plate. MS word has a nice set of boiler plate resume forms that work fine (make sure you include necessary information and exclude extraneous stuff).
Cover letters are personal. Don't just rehash your resume - tell me why I should even look at your resume and how you are the better/best candidate for the position as measured by the ad that I placed.
Specific to Asia (and to you): don't get carried away with the fine nuances of cover letter language (like you see in the "find-a-job" websites). Keep the language simple and be honest. The market is not that competitive for your average job and you don't qualify for anything much beyond entry level ESL (lower tier universities, local schools (K-12) and language academies).
Land a job. Prove your worth and network and you will quickly move up.
. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluetortilla
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 1:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks tttom. I didn't know MS Word had boilerplate CV's.
Pretty much what I thought, but helpful, especially on the keeping it simple note.
One more question if you don't mind- I have LOTS of experience across a wide spectrum of language teaching and administrative responsibilities. I want to list them all, but I don't want the CV to be overwhelming with detail either. What would you do?
I also started a new thread: Overqualified, Over-aged, and Under-credentialed.
I haven't had the chance to compliment you yet but I've felt really good about your positive attitude and the advice I've seen you give on the forum so far. I hope you can take a look at the above thread too. I'm dying for bones! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bluetortilla wrote: |
Thanks tttom. I didn't know MS Word had boilerplate CV's.
Pretty much what I thought, but helpful, especially on the keeping it simple note.
One more question if you don't mind- I have LOTS of experience across a wide spectrum of language teaching and administrative responsibilities. I want to list them all, but I don't want the CV to be overwhelming with detail either. What would you do?
I also started a new thread: Overqualified, Over-aged, and Under-credentialed.
I haven't had the chance to compliment you yet but I've felt really good about your positive attitude and the advice I've seen you give on the forum so far. I hope you can take a look at the above thread too. I'm dying for bones! |
MS word, resume wizard (part of the standard pack in all versions I think).
Write out your resume and then get brutal with it.
Pare it down to the essentials and keep it to 2 pages.
A lot of your experience was self employed so again, KISS.
The cover letter is where you will get a foot in or not.
Read the ad. Answer the AD. Tell why you are the best candidate (reasons not your resume).
I was looking for 3 new teachers for our school. Ads were placed 10 days ago. I got over 150 resumes in a week. My initial review took 3 hours to pare it from 150 down to 10 - based on a 30 second look at the credentials and job history and a minute or 2 reading the cover letter of those who bothered to actually write one.
No applicant, unless they wrote a cover that actually answered the ad, got past the 30 second mark.
Of the 10 who got past the review, 3 will be hired and on an airplane within 14 days and potentially 1 more may be hired in mid Oct. based on enrollment changes.
Get the attention of the reviewer and your odds are pretty good.
. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chezal
Joined: 25 Feb 2009
Posts: 146
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluetortilla
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks Chezai! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
