How do you write a resume to get a high-paid teaching online job? From formatting, language skills, to work history; here are 10 questions to ask before pressing ‘Send’.
Is my resume well formatted?
A teaching resume needs to be spell-checked and grammatically correct. You are applying for an English teaching job after all. Download a free app like Grammarly and/or ask a friend to review.
Find a clean, simple template (like these from Microsoft Office) and keep it to 1-2 pages.
You should also put in a few things that you don’t when applying for a job domestically:
- Put your time zone, with the GMT+number code, e.g “GMT+10:00 (AEDT)”. This helps the interviewer schedule an interview with you at a mutual time.
- Phone number, including country code, +61 Australia / +64 New Zealand.
- Photo (Optional). While there is A LOT of debate on whether or not to include a photo, I recommend that you include a small, professional-looking head shot. If a company is going to reject me based on my looks, I’d rather they do it before wasting my time in an interview. This is optional and completely up to you.
Who is reading my resume?
Keep language simple and clear for an ESL reader. Many staff members speak excellent English but don’t assume this to be the case. Consider the person reading your resume. Are you using any colloquial English that someone from another country wouldn’t understand?
Is my resume focused?
Make sure that your resume is focused on teaching or your professional history. Keep personal history relevant to your job only; languages, qualifications, short courses etc.
If you are a new teacher, consider how your previous work experience can directly help you teach (good organisation, people skills etc.) OR how you may be able to teach related English.
Try and keep it related to teaching-adjacent skills as much as possible. Emphasise non-teaching experience only when relevant to to the English that you will be teaching. Stand back from your own experience and consider what your student might need.
Use key words and phrases for the area in which you wish to teach. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Adult, Business, Career, Health, Psychology, Exam preparation, high school etc.
Is my resume highlighting my positives?
If you are from a non-teaching background, this is a positive thing, so don’t be afraid to highlight your experience. If you have skills sought by others in common or popular professions such as medicine, business, any professional skill such as accounting, finance and media – this makes you stand out. Just try and focus on how it could apply to teaching.
How do I highlight my positives?
Teachers are often humble folk and the idea of a mission statement seems to them self-promotional and marketing a terrible beast to be best avoided. While we understand this feeling, it cannot be further from the truth.
In order to attract the highest salary, you must be able to quickly and succinctly tell a company that you are worth the amount that you are asking for by highlighting your strengths.
E.g: “I am name. I am from x. (My mission statement is) I help students to manage anxiety in IELTS speaking tests. This comes from my own experience of anxiety in international language testing and speaking which I successfully overcame (FOR EXAMPLE).”
Should I mention my language skills?
Yes, multilingualism is a widely coveted skill. If you speak multiple languages – even at a beginner level – please let your interviewer and company know. You should be paid more if you can attract students in more than one language. Highlight your skills!
Is my resume too long?
Only put relevant jobs. 1-2 pages is enough. Even for experienced teachers. 20+ years means 20+ years. No need to elaborate. Time is a premium in hiring offices.
Is my resume truthful?
Finally, do not lie on your resume. It never pays off.
Will my resume get me an interview?
If you follow the steps in this article, you will have a clear, succinct and persuasive resume that will highlight why you are the perfect candidate for that online English teaching role.
How do I stand out even more?
In order to be ready for your interview and to ensure that your resume gets your ‘foot in the door’, I offer 1:1 job preparation sessions for aspiring and experienced teachers.
Read more about the sessions and check out the many 5 star reviews!
Good luck in that interview!
Kate (GradCertEd TESOL) studied a TESOL certificate in 2010 and has been teaching English ever since. Tutoring ‘freelance’ for many years before starting an independent teaching business, she began Teach English Online to support Australians and New Zealanders to do the same. Just starting out, want to apply to one of the 300+ global companies or build your own small independent teaching business? She can help.
Do you have any other advice about a TESOL resume?