While the demand for English teachers is a great as ever, if you see your dream job advertised, then you’ll want to make sure that you stand out from the crowd. Here are 5 insider tips – drawn from our own experience recruiting teachers at Global English TESOL – to help you get noticed at application and interview:
Key facts
- Who: advice from William Bradridge, Global English TESOL – written from first-hand experience of recruiting teachers
- What: 5 insider tips for TEFL/TESOL job applications and interviews
- Best for: new graduates and non-native English speakers applying for competitive posts
- Bottom line: between two equally qualified candidates, the one who shows the most enthusiasm gets the job
How do you stand out in a TESOL job application?
1. Attach a short voice file with your CV/resume
If sending your application by email, a short, introductory voice file alongside your CV/resume and smiley passport-sized photograph can have a really positive impact. This is a great way to stand out as most applicants will never think to do it.
I’d say a voice file is a must if you are non-native teacher and want to show off your excellent pronunciation to a prospective employer.
2. Show the employer at-a-glance that you meet their criteria
If you tick all the employer boxes, tell them so. Highlight the skills you have that exactly match their criteria. Put these in the covering email/letter as well as at the top of your CV/resume. This is because your employer will likely do an initial sift of applications before digging deeper. Listing your ‘essential information’ at the top of your CV will make it easier for your application to get through the initial scan and onto the ‘interview’ list. Here is an example:
Essential information:
- UK national with a British passport
- TESOL qualified
- experience with young people
- available immediately
Even if you have no TESOL experience, check your resume really sells you as a teacher and not a student/engineer/secretary who has just done a course. Discover more tips here for a great TESOL CV/resume >>.
How do you prepare for a TESOL interview?
3. Be ready for the right questions at interview
There are some typical questions that frequently get asked at interview. These may concern how you would teach a grammar point, how you would maintain classroom discipline or your familiarity with common course books and ELT materials. See the most commonly asked TESOL interview questions here.
Which qualifications make TESOL employers take notice?
4. Take a TESOL with a specialisation
Because most teachers have a generic TESOL qualification, you can stand out by taking an accredited online TESOL course with a specialism, such as teaching English for business, teaching teaching young learners, or teaching English online.
If you already have a TESOL certificate, consider showing your commitment to continuing professional development by taking a follow-on course. Such specialisms can really make employers sit up and take notice.
Should you follow up after a TESOL interview?
5. Always follow-up at interview
If you are still interested in the job at the end of the interview, tell them and ask:
"What happens next?"
"When will I hear from you?"
Send a short email afterwards thanking them for their time and re-iterating your interest.
In my own experience of recruiting teachers, I can verify that when confronted with two equally qualified candidates, the one who got the job was the one who sounded like they wanted it most. Enthusiasm and good interpersonal skills are hard to resist in any profession and can make all the difference.
“When confronted with two equally qualified candidates, the one who got the job was the one who sounded like they wanted it most.”
- William Bradridge, Global English TESOL
Where are these tips most useful?
Everywhere teachers compete for the best posts – but they matter most in popular destinations where good schools receive many applications. Thailand is a classic example: sought-after packages like the one Global English graduate Lea Hook secured (free accommodation, food, visa and health insurance on top of salary) go to candidates who stand out. Read how Lea turned a job-offer disaster into a dream post in Thailand, then browse our teaching English in Thailand guide for what employers there expect. For entry rules in any destination, always check official guidance such as the gov.uk foreign travel advice for Thailand.
If you have any great tips for the TESOL job application process, why not share them below?
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to teach English in Thailand?
Most Thai schools ask for a degree plus an accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours, and your employer arranges a Non-Immigrant B work visa. Competitive packages often include accommodation and insurance. See our teaching English in Thailand guide and the gov.uk travel advice before applying.
How can non-native English speakers get noticed by TESOL employers?
Send a short introductory voice file with your CV – it proves your pronunciation before the employer forms any assumptions – and list the exact criteria you meet at the top of your application. A specialist qualification such as business English or young learners also sets you apart from generic applications.
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What next?
- Ask a question about TEFL jobs, interviews or courses: email William directly.
- Why not join our Facebook group? It's the perfect place to join in the TESOL conversation and ask questions.