| Ok, so you'e on your way to becoming an ESL | | | | for you. You want to help shape the opinion in your |
| teacher! You've just completed your TESOL/TEFL | | | | favour. We can do this by listing your attributes (no, this |
| course and are keen to start teaching. One thing lies in | | | | doesn't mean listing your height, weight, hair colour etc), |
| your way: finding an ESL job. | | | | i.e. listing the things that make you a good ESL teacher. |
| In this article we will discuss three main areas related | | | | You may consider something like this (again look at |
| to landing that perfect job! We will look at defining | | | | what the school is looking for and play it to your |
| what you want out of your new ESL job, what to do | | | | advantage): |
| to stand out from all the other ESL teachers applying | | | | I am: |
| to same the job as you and some useful hints and tips | | | | * Dependable |
| when it comes time for the telephone interview! | | | | * Energetic |
| Before you even start your ESL job search you need | | | | * Patient |
| to define, for yourself, what you are looking for. You | | | | The list goes on. However, just because you can see |
| can't find what you aren't looking for! Spend a couple | | | | the benefit of one of your attributes, it doesn't mean |
| of minutes answering these questions: | | | | that your employer can. When applying for your ESL |
| * Where do you want to teach? Which country, which | | | | job you need to tell them WHY your attributes make |
| area? | | | | you the ideal candidate. For example, you could say |
| * Who do you want to teach? Do you want to teach | | | | something like this: |
| children or adults or both? There are many ESL jobs | | | | I feel that motivation plays a big part in the learning |
| that cater to teaching adults or children as well as a | | | | process, with my energetic personality, I help to get |
| mix. | | | | students excited and interested in learning. |
| * How many hours do you want to work? Be realistic | | | | Here, I identified a potential problem in the ESL |
| here; don't write down five hours a week because | | | | classroom and then solved it by using one of my |
| you will be hard pressed to find it. A common contract | | | | personality traits. This tells the employer that if they |
| usually stipulates around 20-25 teaching hours a week. | | | | want their students excited and motivated to learn, |
| * How much is your new ESL job going to pay you? | | | | they better let me have that ESL job! Don't over do |
| This really depends on the area you are intending to | | | | this! You don't want to come off as boastful and so |
| go. Select your area and look around at a few | | | | you should only include one or two of these problem |
| different offers to get a feel for what the pay is like. | | | | solvers. Your resume should be short and sweet, while |
| * How long are you going for? Generally, recruiters | | | | still filling all the requirements that the employer asked |
| look for a one year commitment. You will usually get | | | | for. |
| your return airfare paid for as well travel insurance (if | | | | Now your application should answer ALL the |
| they require you to purchase that in advance). For | | | | requirements that the employer has asked for as well |
| anything less than a year, expect that your bonuses | | | | tell them why they MUST hire you! Now you're one |
| will be reduced proportionally. | | | | step closer to landing your ideal ESL job! |
| * What other inclusions do you expect from your new | | | | In the next section we'll take a quick look at your |
| ESL job? Think about things like accommodation, | | | | telephone interview. |
| utilities, furnishings in your new home and meal | | | | Congratulations! You have applied to your perfect ESL |
| allowances etc. | | | | job and they have asked you for a telephone |
| Ok. So you now have a description of your perfect | | | | interview. This is usually a time where your employer |
| ESL job. You have been looking on a few ESL job | | | | will ask you a few questions about what you would do |
| websites ( and you have found an ESL job that you | | | | in classroom situations. Interviews vary from recruiter |
| think is perfect for you. Chances are some other | | | | to recruiter, so we've decided to include a few general |
| people have also come across the same job. In this | | | | tips about telephone interviews. |
| section we'll talk about what to do to make your | | | | * Speak clearly - If they don't think you can speak |
| application stand above all others. We'll take a look at | | | | clearly, they won't hire you for an ESL speaking job. |
| answering the recruiter's questions and defining | | | | * Answer the question you were asked! |
| yourself as a great ESL teacher. | | | | * If possible, be at a computer with internet access, |
| Firstly, I want you to go back to the ESL job ad and | | | | just in case they ask you something that you may |
| make a list of everything that they are looking for. | | | | stumble on, you can quickly Google it. |
| Done that? Good. We want to make sure that we not | | | | * If they gave you any materials prior to the interview, |
| only answer those questions clearly but let them know | | | | such as hypothetical questions or pre-interview |
| that we can do a lot more! If they can easily see that | | | | questions etc, please make sure you have them on |
| you fulfill all their requirements then you are one step | | | | hand during the interview! They may be looking to see |
| closer to getting that telephone interview, if not then | | | | how you will use the materials they have given you. |
| you better start looking for another job. | | | | * Thank them for their time and the opportunity. |
| While your prospective employer is reading your | | | | You've done all that you can. I wish you all the success |
| application they are (whether consciously or | | | | in your new ESL job! |
| subconsciously) creating an image and a personality | | | | |