Having employed and managed many teachers and other staff, here are my tips for standing our from the crowd when applying for English language teaching jobs:

Clean, Clear, Correct and Spell Checked

You’re going to be an English teacher so check the spelling and grammar of your application and covering letter. Please.

Clean up your social profile: don’t have things floating around google that you don’t want an employer to see. This is a given. No excuses. They do google you.

Have your proofs ready:

• CELTA certificate or a letter of confirmation from Cambridge
• your degree or letter of confirmation from your university
• police clearance (find out what the country or company requires in advance. If you are teaching children, or to get a visa, many countries make this a requirement).

Be Available

Make yourself available and easy to contact: have whatsapp, wechat, facetime and or skype set up for communication and interviews. Show interest and follow up your applications, check your emails and phone and especially the spam folder.

For your skype/whatsapp/wechat interview make sure you look like a teacher in casual business attire and take the Rage Against the Machine poster down from the wall behind you. Please don’t accept the call when you are on the toilet (It’s been done…they weren’t hired).

Refresh Your Teaching Knowledge and Be Ready to Dazzle

When applying for english language teacher jobs, show them that you’ve looked at their company and teaching objectives. Ask about curriculum, ask about teaching styles, materials and syllabi. You may be asked how you would teach something. If you haven’t been teaching a while, brush up your know-how, teaching concepts and approaches  with a course like the  TEFL Preparation Course   or Young Learners Series on ELTCampus.

After talking through an aspect of teaching or demonstrating it, show willingness to learn and accept feedback graciously.

Ask Questions and Get All the Information About the Teaching Job

Clarify with them the following: benefits, accommodation, health, insurance, travel, teaching hours, prep time, onboarding and professional development. Know your worth as a trained teacher. Do some research into cost of living, pay scales and contracts in the country you are interested in.

Follow up three days after with a thank you email. Check your emails, phone and spam folder. You don’t want to seem uninterested or worse, miss the good news!