Whether you’re fresh out of college or a hardened TESOL veteran, getting the ESL job you want can be fraught with many challenges.  Such obstacles can be as simple as your resume getting lost to your resume being totally ignored based on “black box,” or unknown, criteria. 

But, after browsing the job boards and doing your research, you’ve finally found the job you want.  Is it as simple as firing off your resume?  Of course not.

Here are 6 Strategies to Get the ESL Job You Want:

1.  Understand the term/semester schedule.  Most private language academies work on the four semester system based on seasons and the school year.  This means that they begin looking for recruits up to five weeks before their new terms begin, with training and contract signing in the final two weeks of their term.  For example, if it is January then you are probably looking to be hired for the Spring cycle that begins in February.  Feel free to ask your recruiting contact when you call their office, “What week are you in the term?”    

2.  Demonstrate your willingness to start anywhere, any subject, and now (temporarily).  This is a great chance to leverage your flexibility, albeit until your school reaches the next term.  Many veterans know that holes in the schedule appear for all sorts of reasons, not just termination due to poor class quality.   This is your chance to fill that ”urgent need” by offering yourself to takeover a vacant teacher’s schedule.  Many candidates who fail to land these positions have often written themselves into a corner by being too specific with their potential role contribution in their cover letters.   

“I am available to start immediately, and given my experience in subjects A, B, and C, I can be a versatile asset to takeover (open position) at (any school location)”   [flexible]

vs. 

“I am applying for a reading teacher position at the main branch.” [too rigid]

Accept an offer to go to another location, but don’t sacrifice yourself to go across town for nothing.   Make certain that you are willing to do this only until the end of the term, so that you can be better placed near a location, or in a subject, that you are comfortable with.  This strategy wins because you get your shoe in the door, allow them to evaluate you in someone else’s schedule, and already you are looking like a team player! 

3.   Get your paperwork done as much as possible, as soon as possible.  There are few things hiring managers detest more than paperwork involving visas, criminal background checks, and degrees.   Teachers detest them too, but ultimately, it is the employee’s responsibility to get the ball rolling.  One thing you can do to impress your hiring manager is to carry with you a clear folder with double copies of forms, resumes, visa applications, and other necessary documents.  Imagine as though you have to process the paperwork for five of your friends, gather the papers together, and always take the initiative!  This will not only show hiring managers that you are well organized, but also professionally committed to getting the job.

4.   Find the startups.   When contacting the hiring manager, ask whether the school is opening any new branches.  In the hagwon life cycle, startups can often be a flip of the coin.  If it’s bad, you might find yourself with limited curriculum, disorganization, and even late paychecks due to the place not turning a profit.  On the plus side, if you get involved with a new school that succeeds, you may find that there are many more opportunities to earn while, by virtue of being among the first, positioning yourself in line for roles as a manager. 

5.   Use Your Social Network.  Facebook and LinkedIn are invaluable tool that help you get in on the inside.  These days, it is uncommon if you can’t find someone you know by association who already works at the company you’re applying to.  It’s a small world.  Hiring managers are people, and they eat food too!  Figure out ways in which you, your friends, or friends of friends can meet up with the people outside of work.  Breaking bread with them is a great way to pitch yourself and to learn more about the the job.

6.   Follow up on your e-mail!  It is one of the ironies of recruiting and hiring.  They are always starving for candidates while being inundated with resumes.  It is very common for you to not get any response from the school.  If you are lucky you might get an auto-generated response saying they received your resume.  Wait 2-4 business days, and then e-mail them using the “reply” button on your first e-mail.  Make certain your attachments are still attached, and then send them a short e-mail asking for confirmation.  Remember, this is not a repetition but an additional effort to get your resume noticed.  Put in a line indicating who you are and what you can do for that school.   Ex.–”It has been two days since I submitted my application… I have not yet heard from you, but I’d like to inform you that I am still interested in the position because… (fill in).”  Wait one or two days more, and if you don’t get a response move on.  Do not burn bridges by firing off missives about how horrible their recruitment staff are.  This is not useful for anyone.

Ultimately, understanding that the hiring process is a variable one (and not taking anything personally) is vital to staying sane during a change in your job.  Take a wide open approach to see what opportunities there are across several ads, contacts, and positions to lower risk, and see what life has in store for you for the coming year!   

–Posted by Solon Holdings