Korean Job Discussion Forums

[trubadour]

I hate writing these things! Advice or comments appreciated.

It's harder still to write these things when you don't know who is going to read them. Do you think it can be easily understood by someone who doesn't speak English as their first language?


Is it too long? too wordy? too obviously bollocks?! Not bollocksy enough? Wrong sort of bollocks?

[shetan]

Its not bad...


I think none of it really matters without a nice photo. haha

[Khenan]

I would use fewer paragraphs (i.e., fewer concepts), and expand on the ones you keep. Instead of hammering home on "I am," be explicit about what "I have" done. Make it up if you have to, but with two years of teaching, I'm sure you can come up with something.

[spliff]

So so...pretty much a sponge job.

[trubadour]

Since you mention it..



It's the only one I've got with me looking teacher-y. What'd ya think?

Khenan - I'm working on the 'I have.' I like the idea that it should read more like a record of acheivement, than a declaration of suitability.

Spliff - yeah botch job is right. I got the intro and stuff off about.com. I hate writing these things. You can't be honest, you can't work out what it is you're good at, you can't figure out how to make it readable, etc, etc.

[zappadelta]

Trubadour, it looks pretty good. I woould recommend less paragraph breaks, maybe 2-3 paragraphs at most. Also, I would consider changing the word 'stimulating' to 'energetic' or something like this. I think everything else looks good.

[Hyeon Een]

The content of your letter is good but cut it down to 3 or 4 paragraphs.

Your photo is fine if you're applying to work with elementary age children in a hagwan. If you're applying for a public school position then a photo of you wearing a collared shirt at least might look better; or send both. If you're applying to teach adults or at a uni find a photo of you wearing a suit =)

If you're applying for a job in childrens hagwan then you'll have 0 problems and a job within about 20 minutes; it's a jobseekers market right now.

[Dodgy Al]

I pretty much agree with what everyone else said. Perhaps a little too much bollocks, but as with resumes, cover letters are quite subjective.

I did notice one small typo though:

[chris_J2]

[Netz]

The letter is fine, especially considering the liklihood of anyone outside this board actually reading it (and the fact it was cut/copy/pasted haha).

Honestly, I don't think any Korean agency/employer in the children's EFL industry wouldn't strain themselves past the resume, and that's with a good photo. Who knows though, it may show how "dilligent" you are in maintaining your professionalism.

On second thought, skip the cover letter, and get downtown in suit and tie to have some nice 8x10 photoshopped glossies made up. That WILL impress the hell out of them lololol.

I hate to say it, but this is the only country I've ever lived in that a photo-resume was the expected norm.

Say CHEESE!

[yingwenlaoshi]

Dear Korea,

Me teachee. You pay.

Ok

[bassexpander]

I think the kids are really getting bigger these days, that's what I think!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

What kind of job do you want?

[PRagic]

"Researching, trying and testing teaching strategies in the classroom is key to successful teaching."

You are preaching, and not conneting this with your own philosophy or experience. The sentence is also awkard.

As other posters have noted, though, the odds on anyone reading this and giving it a serious critique are slim to none.

Good luck to you.

[cbclark4]

OP, are you trying to make us look bad.

I remember when I was interviewed the interviewer asked me if I could
email a writing sample. I said do you have my cover letter? He said yes.
I said I wrote that.