The TEFL jobs market in China is more competitive than ever and it’s even more difficult to secure your dream teaching position with schools focusing more and more on the quality of the teacher than in the past. So how to stand out and land your perfect ESL job? With over three decades in the TEFL recruitment industry, we’re going to share our best tips to increase your chances of success.
1.) Perfect your CV/Resume
Having a great resume/CV is a prerequisite. Highlight your experience and or skills. If you have relevant or previous teaching experience, make sure to be specific and put the age groups of the students you were teaching and what curriculums you used. Make sure all your contact information is accurate and up-to-date and include more than one way to get in touch with you. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve seen typos or English mistakes from English teachers’ CVs, this is an automatic red flag, so make sure to proofread your CV carefully a few times. Write a tailored cover letter for the specific school/vacancy you’re applying for and show your passion.
2.) Provide a Self-Intro Video and or Teaching Demo
Create a short self-introduction video whereby you can show off your personality, be engaging and highlight your experience and skills. This is the first time the school will have a proper look at you. This may lead to an interview or not. Even better, provide a class demo video to demonstrate your teaching ability.
3.) Provide Recommendation Letters
If you have prior teaching experience, it’s always good if you can provide recommendation/reference letters from your previous school or students. This is not only proof of your ability and experience but also shows you left your previous position on good terms. Schools are looking for teaching they can have a good relationship and cooperation with.
4.) Interview Well
Most interviews are conducted online. Be on time! Most cases the interviewer is in China whilst you’re on the other side of the world, know the time difference. Check your software and equipment beforehand, make sure your video and audio are working. Be presentable, friendly and approachable, ask questions, engage with the school/interviewer. Speak clearly and slowly if necessary, lessen your accent if you have one. If the school/interviewer can’t understand you, they won’t hire you.
5.) Go the Extra Mile
In such a competitive TEFL jobs market, do you know what else will set you apart from other candidates? How quickly you can prepare all your visa documents. Get a head start before you even apply for jobs. Get your degree certificate and TEFL certificates notarised and apostilled. Schools will prefer teachers that are ready rather than wait. You’ll need to prepare these documents anyway regardless of the job or agency.
6.) Apply During the Right Times
The semesters in China generally start in September and February. For September start it’s best to apply from April. For February start it's best to apply from October. Most schools are looking for teachers who can start at the beginning of each term. Of course, there are some schools that hire all-year round but for best job opportunities, we’d recommend considering applying during those windows.
If you need any more advice or need assistance looking for a teaching vacancy in China, feel free to get in touch at [email protected] and we’d be more than happy to help.
