The definition of leverage, according to About.com is "increasing the rate of return from an investment." How does this relate to teaching abroad?Whether you are teaching abroad or you have a domestic teaching job, there are many ways you can increase the benefit to you from the investment of teaching. The key to successful leveraging is knowledge of the concept and strategic planning before tactical implementation.
Using Leverage To Get Your First Teaching Job Abroad Leverage the experience you already have by putting together a targeted resume that reflects your strengths.
International school recruiters are looking for teachers that have experience with multilingual or multicultural classes, but have you pointed this out on your resume? Make it clear that you have worked with students from different cultures and you'll be one step closer to landing your first teaching job abroad. This can be done as easily as describing the student cohort in broad terms when you list the schools at which you've previously worked.
Many schools abroad are smaller than domestic schools, and so many recruiters are looking for teachers that have a range of diverse experiences to offer to the school. If you have taught other subjects than the position you are applying for, then put this in your resume, with subtlety. Be careful that you aren't taking away from the fact that you are a specialist in the field for which you're applying!
International schools usually run extensive extra-curricular programs, especially schools that offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes. Faculty members are expected to contribute to the extra-curricular program, which means you can leverage your life experiences to secure your first job abroad. The IB emphasises creativity, service and action, which boils down, at the most basic level, to sports, arts and community service. If you have experience organising outdoor activities, coaching sports, teaching craft or hobbies, then you need to include this in your resume.
One key thing to remember when you're applying for a teaching job abroad is that recruiters are looking at the ?whole? person to see how they'll fit into the faculty, the culture, and what they'll contribute to the school community. Everything that you can bring to the school should be included in your application pack, so that the recruiter has an opportunity to ?meet? the person, not just the teacher.
Finally, if you don't have experience teaching multicultural or multilingual students, you can get experience by enrolling for and completing a certificate in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). This is a sure-fire way to prove your willingness to learn more about the issues international students face, and your willingness to adapt. To improve your chances of landing a teaching job abroad, you can get a TEFL certificate online.
Whether you are a college graduate or a seasoned teacher out of work looking to get back into it, you may want to do some self analysis before launching a full on job search. This will be a brief on how to spruce up your professional background and some advice that may give you inspiration to be in a teaching position that you've dreamed about.
Creating Your Portfolio
The life you have chosen as a profession is an intimate one. It's a life that involves a lot about sacrifice for the good of others to make pupils educated citizens and ultimately more effective in society. Unlike many professions it's hard to really draw a circle around what you've done. But as a teacher, jobs like this should be documented and your accomplishments should be given their merit. Bringing with you a body of work from either the school you graduated, or your former employers, is just as important, for instance, as an architect or a photojournalist.
Remember that gathering your portfolio is looking deeper than your daily lesson plan. Look for specific artifacts during your career that can help. Examples like support letters from parents, students, administration or anything that represents some aspect or phase in your teaching career. If you are a graduate aspiring to a teaching profession, a reference letter from a professor would be ideal to stuff in your portfolio. Other artifacts you can glean are examples of class recordings that you may have, or student handouts that exemplify your teaching.
When you start creating your portfolio, you will see that this is more than just a task to present to your future employer, but it's a look back at the body of work you've created. You can even find further strengths to show off to your interviewer through this whole recapitulating event.
The Interview
When it comes down to the interview, your portfolio is going to back you up with evidence to the school, jobs and accomplishments from your past in better detail. The interview will be the face to face impression, but preparation is key before the big day.
In the field of education, jobs will vary as far as curriculum, salary, and district policy. Before you go, make a point to gather as much info as you can about the school district. Find out how much funding goes into the curriculum there and break it down per child. It's good to know what's in the interest of the children and the district as a whole so you can have questions and relate to your interviewer when the specifics come up with school economics. When you contact the school or jobs referral location, make sure you go through the prescreening interview just to make sure you make it through the minimum qualifications they are looking for.
During the interview be articulate with how you answer their questions, and use examples as often as possible from your past classroom experiences. At the end, thank the committee and always follow up with a letter to leave a lasting good impression whether the interview was nailed or not.
Both Kelly Blackwell & Art Gib are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kelly Blackwell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Stress Management, Education and Site Promotion. Kelly Blackwell is an international teacher with 11 years experience teaching abroad, . Kelly Blackwell's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.
Art Gib has sinced written about articles on various topics from Supplements, Teachers and self improvement and motivation. Art Gib is a freelance writer. Scholastic () aims to help children read and learn while providing tools and reference material for teachers. Art Gib's top article generates over 1830000 views. to your Favourites.