CV For Foreign English Teachers

Are ESL Resumes for Teaching English in China the Same as Back House?

Generally speaking, no.

Get utilized to the concept that the work scene in China (and most of the world) is VERY DIFFERENT from the one back home. Employers WILL want to see your picture. Will ask you about your household. Will ask your age. I Will ask if you are married, possibly even ask why not, if you aren't.

Okay, not always, but it is not unusual in China and other nations, for ESL employers to ask lots of concerns that would be prohibited in numerous Western nations. In their country they are legal and in their eyes, they are genuine questions.

In spite of what you have been taught to think there is absolutely nothing ominous in their concerns. They simply need to know about you and understand you.

They Have Their Factors

Work visas for English instructors in some nations will require that your passport is from a nation they deem as being English speaking. Age is sometimes restricted for certain kinds of visas due to obligatory retirement ages. Some schools may (and typically do) prefer a woman for their preschool and kindergarten classes, some schools will have a male or female opening as the school may have shared lodging-- and on and on.

Get over it

Decide now if these issues really bother you. If they do, you might have some difficulty landing a job or even surviving in China or any non-Westernized country.

What to place on your Resume/CV

Conventional resumes are fine, however, make certain to put the important info near the leading where your possible employer can see it quickly. Don't make them search for it.

Technically, a CV is a much more academically-oriented kind and more comprehensive, but you'll discover the terms resume and CV utilized somewhat interchangeably abroad. Keep them both to two pages or less.

If you are an older individual like me, put a cut off point in time to restrict the length of time your resume will be. Do they truly require to know that you worked for McDonalds 35 years back? Unless, naturally, you are applying to McDonalds to teach English to their Chinese workers! Then yes they do.

If you are really thinking about teaching in a particular specialized-- Business English, Medical English, Hospitality English-- make sure to include your experience in that location to reinforce your position.

Photo

Chinese companies will desire a picture connected to your resume. Passport size in the top left corner. Not everywhere is the same, but not a big deal if you put it on the incorrect corner. It is typically fine if you print it on the resume. Make certain you dress and appear expertly in the photo. Pictures in a bar with buddies, out hiking or hugging your pet dog don't provide you expertly.

Age, Marital Status, Sex, Nationality, Dependents

Get utilized to it now. If you don't include this info, and the company has numerous candidates, guess where your resume will go. If you do not include this information, some people will presume you are hiding something! Get utilized to the concept that not everybody thinks the way Westerners do or has the same guidelines or requirements. That people and cultures and countries are different is what makes it all so intriguing ...

It's fine to be creative

Prevent templates. They make you mix into the background as if you weren't there. Try something innovative. Use color-- provide it shot. Try a Google search for "imaginative resumes". There are some great examples out there.