How to make yourself irresistible to hiring schools.

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Lindsay

If you’re like most job seekers, you follow a set of routines in looking for work. You check the ads in the newspaper, or on the internet related to what you are looking for. You write a nice cover letter and enclose your CV. You practice for interview questions. And then you hope for the best.
The key to any successful venture, though, is to understand as much as possible about how the system works. You can’t improve the performance of a car without knowing something about engines, and you can’t hone your job applications without knowing how hiring decisions are being made. I’ll talk generally about how you can leverage a basic understanding of the way applicants are selected.

Your CV
It sounds obvious but a well written CV is vital, with no spelling or grammatical errors. Your CV is the first contact you have with an employer: make sure it gives the right impression. Get someone else to read it through before sending - they might pick up something you have missed.

Be the candidate you are on paper
You can create the most amazing resume, detailing exactly why you’re the best candidate for the job, but if you cannot fluidly and succinctly talk about those experiences in the interview, you may lose the opportunity to compete for the job. Expect the interviewer to ask you about what is on your resume, and prepare to explain your skills and accomplishments in stories that resemble sound bytes more than autobiographies.

Maintain a Smart Online Profile
All that stupid stuff you put on Facebook — take it off. Be mindful of your social media profile online. It’s not uncommon for employers to check Facebook pages and other forms of social media, so keep it clean.

Take a Class or Get a Certificate
This is especially helpful if it teaches you a skill you don’t have or don’t feel confident in. Teaching in a different country can be challenging and obtaining a TEFL certificate will equip you with skills and confidence to make you great ESL instructor. Say Kimchi Recruiting is proud to be associated with TEFL Online. Follow this link to find out more http://www.teflonline.com/saykimchirecruiting/

Volunteer
This is especially important for first time teachers. You might think you like kids, but actually you don’t. While at home, volunteer at a local school to get a feel of a ‘teaching’ environment.  There is still, for some reason, some ridiculous stigma related to volunteering that many people cannot seem to get over. In a similar vein to updating your skills, taking on some volunteering work will show a desire and self-motivation to get involved and make a difference within a project, again desirable attributes that will make you attractive to a potential employer.

Be Flexible
You may not want to commute more than 10 miles, but being willing to bend a bit will open up more opportunities. It will also make you a more attractive candidate because it signals to employers that you’re able to handle change.