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tremault
Joined: 25 Sep 2012
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 Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:05 am Post subject: How hopeful should I really be? |
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Hey guys, I have got all my documents ready and I'm applying for jobs.
I'm just feeling like I'm going through the motions though.
is this normal?
perhaps it is my life situation. I'm not working, been unemployed for too long really. I don't really have much going on and I'm just waiting to start my life, working, doing something worthwhile.
I wonder if there is anything wrong with my resume. I don't have a TEFL certificate but I do have over a year experience assistant teaching adults from a variety of nations. Should I make more of my degree major? I majored in animation and I think some schools want a multi skilled teacher?
is it a factor of the schools having closed and a lot of people already in ROK looking for jobs?
or is it just a matter of time?
Last edited by tremault on Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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tremault
Joined: 25 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks everyone who read this so far, I was hoping I could learn about your experience when applying? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: How hopeful should I really be? |
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| tremault wrote: |
Hey guys, I have got all my documents ready and I'm applying for jobs.
I'm just feeling like I'm going through the motions though.
is this normal?
perhaps it is my life situation. I'm not working, been unemployed for too long really. I don't really have much going on and I'm just waiting to start my life, working, doing something worthwhile.
I wonder if there is anything wrong with my resume. I don't have a TEFL certificate but I do have over a year experience assistant teaching adults from a variety of nations. Should I make more of my degree major? I majored in animation and I think some schools want a multi skilled teacher?
is it a factor of the schools having closed and a lot of people already in ROK looking for jobs?
or is it just a matter of time? |
It is probably a combination of:
i) end of the school year (schools are on break).
ii) more than the usual number of US teachers not returning home due to economic reasons.
iii) might be your resume (check for spelling, grammar, other errors). Nothing will kill your chances for a job as an English teacher than using colloquial language on your resume/cover letter.
Hints:
i) Tailor your resume/cover letter for each job/recruiter you apply to.
ii) Use MANY recruiters but send each one out individually. C.C.-ing to a bunch with one e-mail will get you put into the spam box rather than the interview pile.
iii) Don't limit yourself to one country. Demand in Korea is a bit weak at the moment (as is Japan) but there is still a strong demand in China and Thailand. Collectively, between the 4 countries, they still hire about 100,000 NEW applicants each year in addition to those who stay on for multiple years.
iv) google EFL jobs in Asia. Don't limit yourself to just one job board.
v) Make sure you have all your required documents "in hand". Failure to have them ready will send your resume to the circular bin with the rest of the tire kickers.
a) passport from one of the approved 7 countries.
b) Degree (from one of the approved 7 countries) copy with apostille.
c) national CBC with apostille.
vi) look at the whole package and not just the base wage when comparing remuneration packages from different employers or different countries.
2 million won in Korea will let you save about $800/month...
8000 rmb in China will let you save about the same...
45k thb in Thailand will let you save about the same...
40 million dong in Vietnam will let you save about the same...
... and let you have a comfortable lifestyle while doing it.
and sort of as a Post Script:
Watch the calendar. Different countries have different starts for their academic years. March 2 is the start of the school year in Korea, April in Japan, May in Thailand, Sept in China. The bulk of hiring takes place in the 60-days prior to the start of their respective school year although there are always openings in language schools/academies year round.
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tremault
Joined: 25 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Ttompatz,
thanks very much for all the advice.
I'll make sure to scour over my resume tomorrow and make sure there is no colloquial language on there and spelling etc.
I do have a template email that I use because of how many recruiters there are and the amount of daily postings.
(Hello, I saw your advert on XXX and wish to apply for XXX ) I do add relevant info into it that I see in the advert. I hope that is ok.
I do check waygook and esl teachers board. These were rated highly on an article I was reading. I'm reluctant to try others as I don't want to waste my time too much, I will have a look to see if any other places are recommended in another thread.
I have my documents in hand, I try to state this in every email.
Thanks very much for taking the time to post.  |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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As an afterthought...
When you e-mail your "appliocation" to different schools/recruiters it should contain 5 parts:
Cover letter
resume
low resolution scan of your passport information page
low resolution scan of your degree
low resolution scan of your CBC.
Unless you are as green as the Hulk and as ugly as Quasimodo you should get serious offers within a couple weeks of sending out your application package.
As far as limiting yourself ,
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| "I'm reluctant to try others as I don't want to waste my time too much" |
... if you are unemployed, who cares ... there is no waste of time and it only takes one to be successful.
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surendra
Joined: 07 Feb 2012
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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If you plan on working for a public school (PS), go ahead and do an online TEFL at minimum. I believe it bumps you up 1 pay grade in any of the programs (GEPIK, EPIK, etc) and it pays for its self on top of making you resume better.
Actually, I hear a TEFL is mandatory for GEPIK. |
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boomhauer
Joined: 02 Nov 2012
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:38 am Post subject: |
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I know exactly how you feel. Our situations are practically exact, even down to you being an animation major. I had some teacher's assistant experience from high school and some peer to peer tutoring experience from university, I played those up a lot during interviews and it seemed to get a positive response.
I was gathering all my documents and interviewing with recruiters and some schools but it just didn't feel like it would result in anything.
I felt like that right up until I got my visa.
I've been in Korea for a week now.
Just go through the motions, you'll end up with a job. |
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tremault
Joined: 25 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 10:13 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Boomhauer, that is really reassuring
I'll just keep going at it.
However...
There is certainly no harm in following the brilliant advice here to raise my profile!
I have enrolled on an online TEFL course that my friend recommended.
It's not an expensive course, but it is presented as 60hrs and seems to have a good setup. Most importantly, I have learnt some very important things from it. Like for example, using song and dance to gain the attention of kindy kids. It has really helped to raise my mood since I feel like I am doing something productive while I apply.
I usually send my resume and photo with my emails. I send the other things when requested. But perhaps I could send the other things? I was cautious about sending my passport to save the risk of identity theft, but I guess as long as I check for the recruiters license number, I should be ok.
So I'll try and send those 5 things with every application from now on. Thanks!
What a turnaround! I felt so low yesterday but I feel so much better today thanks to you guys |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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You need a minimum of a 100 hour course for recognition in a PS in Korea.
Won't matter if you are only going to work in a hagwon.
Outside of Korea they usually want a 120 hour course with observed practicum.
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