Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crazylemongirl]

ok,
so after writing a nice letter to my employer trying to get things sorted out for my imminent depature my boss communicates to me that apparently I am the best foreign teacher she has ever had and that I should write my own reference and she will sign it.

Not being good in the field of self promotion anyone got any good phrases to use for a nice reference letter?

[katydid]

You should stress the normal important things, like you are reliable and trustworthy and hardworking, and any other bonuses that you feel you were: good with kids, creative, open-minded, enthusiastic about your job, a team player, adaptable...
I have a feeling that Koreans would be more interested words that show you will not bail out on them so easily and that you will actually like your job.

[Thomas]

It is very good to write your own and then go over it with the person who has to sign it... make sure they agree.

Before you write it, note what your duties were and how you perfomed them Note your strengths and weaknesses. Use this as the base to write the letter. Specify exactly what you did... including levels of students and class sizes and subjects.

Then extol the virtues of your strengths (and keep the weaknesses out of it!). Do not be too humble but keep it honest. Focus on what you think you bring to the table as an employee.

For example, I always emphasized that I was professional and always willing to spend extra time helping with proff-reading, etc. To me this is something I think is good and if it comes up at an interview (they do read these), I will love to discuss it.


Here's a quick example:
Mr. Smith has been employed here as a native speaking English teacher for the past 2 years. He has been responsible for the instruction, discipline and management of 25 classes weekly. Each class was made up of 20-25 students, ages 14-18. Mr. Smith taught conversational English and English grammar.
Mr. Smith has always demonstrated professionalism and a good attitude. He is always punctual and prepared for his lessons. In addition to his regular duties, Mr. Smith can always be found providing extra help to students and peers, whether it is proofreading another teacher' s Master's thesis, helping a student with a tricky piece of grammar, or giving advice on lesson content to other teachers.
Mr. Smith is focused on self improvement. He takes lesson critiques well and is always interested in improving his lessons based on the observations of others. He stays current in the field of education whether by reading current educational texts or taking part time course.
It is my honor to recommend mr. Smith to your institution for employment. During his tenure here we have been very happy with Mr. Smith's professionalism and contributions to our school. We are truly sorry to see him go, but rest assured that his impact will be felt here for a long time.
etc. etc.

[sadsac]

Look at some previous references that you have been given and use those as the foundation for this reference. Remember to make yourself sound as good as you are from your bosses perspective. Use terms such as: professional, astute, compasionate, team player, culturally adept and so forth. Have fun writing it.

[Zark]

Forget all the formulas about references.

Write your reference focused towards your future employer. What are the problems they have had with their employees over the last few years and especially lately. Address all those concerns in your reference and make sure they reflect positively on you. Put your head where your future employer's head is. What is she concerned about? Why did they fire the person you are replacing, or why didn't they get that person to stay another year, or ? Get the idea? In other words, let them see that you can SOLVE their problems. Or, in the least, that you will not present those problems for them.

There is only one purpose for a reference and that is to get you the next job. Write it to get that job.

Over time, you'll find that if you write with that focus, your letters will all be different enough to not look like they were all written by you, as is often the case!

Oh yeah, throw in all the regular stuff about walking on water etc. But don't over do it.

[VanIslander]

I recall from a personnel administration course that a reference letter with at least one stated weakness or limitation is TRUSTED more than a glowing reference.

Think of the one area you could use improvement or one aspect that you are not strong in, and state it. Or perhaps, state how you have improved somehow. Pick something trivial but honest, like overuse of the photocopier or keeping a messy desk. The honesty will make other, positive comments glow all the more.

[crazylemongirl]

the killer is that I have this killer reference from back home which someone gave me when I left my last job (I was really touched as I didn't even ask for one)

Unfourtantly as I didn't think I would be job hunting I didn't bring it with me.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[thu_tinh]

i have to write my own reference letter. I wanted to make it as simple as possible. after my coteacher read it she wouldn't sign it. She said the writing structure is too simple and wants me to add 'bigger words'

[oskinny1]

Thomas's was good but keep everything in past simple tense. The job is over. State the dates you worked. Not "native" teacher, just teacher. Native teacher might sound like you have a chicken bone in your nose to someone out of the field.

Google found this for "native teacher"

[R. S. Refugee]

[oldfatfarang]