| So, you’re thinking about doing a TEFL course, and | | | | That’s right… the bin! One of the best routes to |
| it won’t be too long before you’ve got your | | | | job success is to build up personal relationships with |
| crisp new TEFL certificate in hand – but what are | | | | recruiters to make sure your application ends up in the |
| you going to do with it?! Get a teaching job abroad | | | | right person’s hands, rather than the trash. |
| and jet off into the sunset – that’s what! But | | | | - Use your mouse |
| how to get there? Never fear: here are my five simple | | | | The internet’s a marvellous thing – where |
| tips for TEFL job success: | | | | before you might have had to traipse around a city |
| - Tailor your resume to TEFL | | | | handing out your CV, you can now get access to tens |
| We’re sorry to say it, but employers don’t want | | | | of thousands of TEFL jobs at the click of a mouse. |
| to know about that ska band you were in back in | | | | Sites like and list positions from all over the world, |
| school. Keep it short and sharp – just cover what | | | | which are just waiting for enthusiastic EFL teachers to |
| the job advertisement asks for in simple, direct | | | | fill them! |
| language. Focus on skills that schools will value, like | | | | - Keep it simple |
| leadership, organisational and communication skills and | | | | Very often the person who’ll be reading your job |
| how you’ve demonstrated you can use them. | | | | application won’t have English as their first |
| - Do your course with a provider that has a job | | | | language. They won’t want to tackle an application |
| placement service | | | | full of flowery language – they’ll want one |
| Get your TEFL course provider to do the legwork for | | | | that’s simple to read and direct. If they can’t |
| you! Many companies have TEFL job placement | | | | immediately see that you’ve got the skills for the |
| services which will match you with relevant suitable | | | | job your application will probably end up being binned! |
| contracts on completion of your course. Just make | | | | And remember, if finding a TEFL job feels daunting, the |
| sure you’re eligible to use it before you sign on the | | | | odds are with you: there are 20,000 TEFL positions |
| dotted line! | | | | posted online every month, meaning fluent English |
| - Always deal with a real person | | | | speakers with TEFL certificates are like gold dust in |
| Want to know where most of those applications | | | | many countries! |
| addressed to ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ end up? | | | | |