Teaching English as a foreign language or TEFL is specially growing in popularity among college graduates who want a bit of world experience. As competition grows, consider having the following when writing your TEFL Curriculum Vitae for a better impact: 1. List your educational background, 2. Target your C.V for a TEFL position, 3. Make sure you have the “must-haves” and 4. Keep in mind the final touches.
Adding these features to yours will definitely catch your employer’s eyes:
1. Educational Background
To qualify as an EFL instructor, you need to have both experience and a list of certain qualifications, such as a TEFL Certificate. Acceptable experience includes tutoring, volunteering, residential teaching courses or a year abroad that had a teaching element. Some employers do take entry-level candidates with little to no experience for their teaching positions, but higher-level positions have more stringent requirements. To find out the guidelines of your preferred destinations, do some research on the Internet or consult with a college or career counselor. Do not be afraid to aim high, but apply to what you are qualified for to increase your chances of being hired.
2. Target your Curriculum Vitae for a TEFL position
When preparing your CV, first understand what the company is looking for as the ideal candidate. Look at the mission statements, testimonies and the application section of the associated website. For example, if they value teamwork, make an effort to really highlight any past experiences that draw attention to that quality. If you are not sure what the company wants, think about what the situation will call for like responsibility, reliability, adaptability, time management or working with a certain age group. You have to “sell” yourself, but keep in mind who will be reading your CV and tailor it accordingly.
3. Must-haves!
Here are a few things that every TEFL resume should have:
- Professional Photo
- Basic Personal Details
- Education and Training
- Relevant Qualifications
- Fluent Languages
- Previous Teaching Experience (if any)
- Employment History
- Volunteer Work
- Additional Skills
- Clear Format
This is also a great order when organizing your curriculum vitae!
For your photo, make sure you look professional. Wear business casual attire and use an inviting smile. This will likely be the first and only impression of you that the hiring manager will have until you arrive for training. Make it as positive as possible. If you can, keep the CV down to one page and do not exceed two pages. The summer job you had when you were 16 may not fit, but if you have more recent and relevant experience then it is not very relevant.
4. Final Touches
The last step before submission is to proofread your CV. Do not skip this step. In fact, ask a friend or a family member to look over it for you. Especially if you just finished typing your resume, save it and do not open the file for a day. Come back to it with fresh eyes and read it out loud. This will help you catch small mistakes that you may not have noticed otherwise. Typos never look good even if it is an honest error. Take the time and reread your CV before sending to make sure everything is professional and ready to go.
*Feel free to share our articles, we only ask for credit! Be sure to mention International Teacher Training Organization as the author and a link back to our website: www.tefl-online.com.
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