Interview Faux Paus

Just for fun! I've recently accepted a new job in California.I am really excited (and very busy) but overall happy. The interview went well, but I definitely made some mistakes.
There are so many blogs out there telling you how to give the perfect interview I thought I'd share some of my mistakes with you.

• I forgot the term dictogloss. 
• Me: You know, that activity where students listen...then write.
• Them: Transcriptions.
• Me: No, it is great for using all four skills....
• Them: Stenography
• Me: I am sure I'll think of it immediately after the interview
• I said Hell in an interview for a Catholic school
• Them: Have you ever had a particularly difficult student? 
• Me: Of course I've had students give me hell.... 
• Stop to stare at the nun
• Me: Sorry sister
• I made a joke about hitting students
• Them: What do you do when you have a particularly troublesome student?
• Me: Can I hit them?
• Pause
• Me: I am kidding. I swear. I'd never hit a student. I couldn't even spank kids when I babysat.
• I admitted I didn't know the answer
• Me:  Whenever possible I try to speak to the student one-on-one with the student to create a rapport. Often, I find once they think of you as a person instead of just a teacher they tend to behave better.
• Them:  And if that doesn't work.
• Me: I try to figure out their interests and include them in the class to motivate them.
• Them: And if that doesn't work?
• Me: If possible I contact the other teachers or counselors to see if it is isolated to my class, or if it is other classes as well. If it isn't in other classes, I can ask them for help.
• Them:And if that doesn't work?
• Me: I suppose contacting parents to keep them in the loop is always an option
• Them: And if that doesn't work?
• Me: Honestly, I don't know. I'd talk to the academic supervisor and see if they could help me
• My resume was also outdated


• They had done my first interview in April, so I really should have given them a more current version. Somehow I forgot.

The moral is: please don't freak out if you aren't perfect, No teacher is :)

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

I have an earlier blog post where I discuss EFL resumes specifically. I still think that this has solid advice, but this infographic goes in further detail about ten common mistakes people make. Avoid these and you're that much closer to getting the job.

There are some mistakes that applicants commit causing them to never get a call back from an employer.

The biggest mistake an applicant can make is not following the instructions on an application. The instructions are there so employers can see if an applicant can follow directions and if they have an attention to detail.

Also, leaving fields on an application blank can result in not getting a call back. Leaving blank fields indicates a lack of attention to detail. Even if the information is included on a job resume, applicants need to rewrite that information into the proper fields on the application and never write “see resume” to forward the employer to a resume.

Lastly, turning an application in past a hiring deadline is never a positive way to influence an employer. Employers set deadlines to see how well an applicant manages his or her time and whether or not they can meet deadlines if they’re hired.

Created by the team at Recruiterbox.

5 things to include on your EFL teaching resumes

1. A picture
 Many times, like it or not, we are hired because we look the part. I look like an American. It gets me jobs. I have helped hire replacements and seen them trash anything without a picture, so put a picture on it. Your picture doesn't need to be anything fancy. I think I took mine with a timer against a blank wall. If you normally wear tons of make-up tone it down, but let them know what you will normally look like (so they aren't surprised by the green eyeshadow on the first day). Be sure to smile! Employers want to hire someone who doesn't look miserable all the time and your smile shows that you are someone who they want.

2. Skype
Most of my job interviews abroad have been via Skype, so I make sure to give this in addition to my phone number and e-mail address. I am also sure to always keep my Skype "statuses" appropriate. Nothing about nursing a hangover or wanting to kill a boyfriend.

3. Keep the English simple
Usually the person reading your resume will speak English well, however sometimes I am applying to schools who are google translating my resume. In that case complicated phrases and idioms won't work too well. Keep it succinct without flowery language. Now is not the time to show off your fantastic English; it is the time to show you can communicate clearly with second language speakers without speaking down to them.

4. Content
As far as content goes, I am now blessed enough to have enough experience I don't need to include non-education jobs. However, in the past I would include jobs that weren't education related. I just made sure to point out what skills it gave me that would help. Multi-tasking, Making things simple, Organization etc. For example as Aquatics Manager I trained people, that is a type of teaching so it gets highlighted. I also created a new filing method for the swim lessons to up enrollment and retention. That shows I am organized and for language schools that I understand keeping clients happy.  When I au-paired I focused on the educational aspects: Created activity books, Made TBL activities (which was essentially all we did), etc.

5. Abroad Experience
If you have it PROMOTE it! Even if it was just a Summer in Italy in high school show that you can live in a different culture. So many people take jobs and head back home within a month. This really messes things up for the school and is one of the reasons I am convinced I get as many job offers as I do. I have shown I have no problems living abroad and I am not a flight risk. Before I had my teaching experiences abroad I added it to my education section:

Dec 2007         B.A. Degree in Communications and Minor in Spanish           3.0 G.P.A                                               San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Also studied through SDSU’s abroad program:

Dec 2005         Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

May 2006        Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid Spain

Summer 2006  Women’s Studies Course Throughout Turkey 

What am I missing? What do you make sure to inlcude on your resumes when you are headed to a new place?

Jobs for experienced teachers

In another post I point out a few good places to check out jobs if you are just getting into the TEFL. There are other places to look when you are already an "established" teacher and looking for jobs.

Now I am at a point in my life where I have experience teaching at multiple levels, a CELTA, and a Masters in a relevant field in addition to my Bachelors. This means that I am looking for other jobs than I did in the past.

I still think you should keep three things in mind when looking for a new job.

1. Is it legal? I always avoided anything that appears to be under the table. First, because I hate breaking the law (yes yes I am a goodie goodie) and second because I planned on spending most of my life living abroad; the last thing I needed was to be blacklisted from visiting some country because of visa violations. It is also safer to have a legal job. At this point in your career you are a professional and should not be sneaking around.

2. Is it verifiable? Google those people! Use your blind date stalking skills for good. Google e-mail addresses, names, the company, etc. Check out their LinkedIn profiles. Check blogs for past employees. Ask to speak to past/current employees. Again, you shouldn't need to take many chances here you aren't a risk so they should be a sure thing.

3. Is it appropriately compensating you? In Mexico I don't make as much as I would in San Diego (assuming I could get a job), but my apartment is much cheaper than what I would be paying in San Diego (as well as other expenses). So even though I am making less I am still able to save, and overall my pay is appropriate for my experience and location. There are other jobs here that pay half of what I make. Those may be great for other people, but at this point in my professional life they aren't for me anymore.


If you are looking into Korea I still recommend  EPIK(rural Korea and Seoul) or GEPIK (involving the doughnut shaped province that surrounds Seoul). Again you must be a "native English Speaker." You do get a pay raise depending on how your level of experience. Salary varies from 2 million won to 2.5 million won depending on your experience and qualifications (2,000-2,500 USD roughly) plus a one time settling fee (to buy pots, pans, etc). If you finish your contract you get a months salary as a bonus. You are given an apartment (which is paid for by the school) and there are often workshops. You work 8 hours a day 5 days a week, but you should only teach 22 hours a week. I believe now GEPIK requires a TEFL.

There's quite a few job search sites that you can find focused on different grades:

• Now, everyone will tell you to check out Dave's Cafe, as it is a pretty good site with jobs worldwide. It is very popular (which means lots of jobs!)  but it doesn't really regulate who posts jobs. Because of this, it is really important to thoroughly check the company.
• HigherEdJobs is available for people looking for jobs in higher education (which normally requires more experience).
• The Chronical of Higher Education has a job forum which also focuses on higher education.
• ESLJobs is a decent job forum as well.

Social Networking

• Mainly however I find these jobs through networking. My Masters program still e-mails me when jobs are available that would be suited to my major. 
• I am a big LinkedIn fan. Especially if you are active in relevant discussions people are more likely to think of you as a fellow teacher, rather than a stranger. 
• I know that facebook is traditionally a personal site but every year when my school hires new teachers I make a quick announcement on my facebook to let my fellow teachers know that they can apply. If they were to apply then they would have a plus: a teacher working here now who can talk to the director personally. What a leg up! In addition a lot of schools have facebook and will post job openings on their social networks before reaching out to recruiters or job sites. 
• Nowadays Twitter is a pretty easy place to check out jobs. You can keep it like facebook where you just follow schools' tweets and look for hints of jobs. An alternative is to look for relevant hashtags  there's also a twitjobsearch page worth checking out.

 Am I missing any? What programs do you find great for EFL teachers with more experience?