Writing a resume for an English teaching position

[assassin]

I am going to be applying for many different language schools as a undergraduate fresh out of college (im a senior now). I was wondering if you guys have any tips on what would be good to include/exclude from my resume (as one going for a english teaching position). For example, is Japanese language ability something employers might look favorably on? How about mentioning that one has already been in Japan? I could imagine some employers might favor the non-Japanese speaking never been to Japan candidate, but I am not sure. Any hints/tips? :hobbes:

[ZaichikArky]

If you'd like, I can e-mail you my resume for you to use as an example. Mine was geared towards English teaching jobs, but it still is kind of similar.

For language learning in Japan, knowing Japanese is a definite plus. You should include that in your resume. It isn't always for teaching positions. Mentioning you've been in Japan already is also probably a plus. The reason that they look favorably on that is because it shows that you can adapt to a different culture, especially if you've been in the country for a while. A lot of programs have some problems with foreigners who get too homesick and leave the program early.

[assassin]

I will send u a private message about the resume, thanks.

Ah yes, that does make sense. What I was thinking was that someone with language abilities and previous experience in Japan might be harder to control, as they are not completely reliant on the company. Sounds crazy? Well, (as everyone) I have had many crazy experiences with bureaucracy in Japan.

[ZaichikArky]

Kay, I e-mailed you!

As for that, it probably doesn't apply to you because you'll be with a university, right? You can only work in a real Japanese company(not english-teaching stuff) if you pass the 2kyuu, and they like Japanese experience because it shows that you are familiar with their language and culture and can adapt to being a good drone. I hear mostly bad experiences working in Japanese companies. Mainly, they work FAR too much overtime(as in over 40 hrs a week) and don't get paid for it. Really crappy system, IMO >__<.

[assassin]

Thanks! I will check it out.

What do you mean I will be with a University? This summer I will get my bachelors degree, so I cannot work at a university (you need a masters). I plan on applying for a language school, or some other place like that.

[japanat]

I am going to be applying for many different language schools as a undergraduate fresh out of college (im a senior now). I was wondering if you guys have any tips on what would be good to include/exclude from my resume (as one going for an english teaching position). For example, is Japanese language ability something employers might look favorably on? How about mentioning that one has already been in Japan? I could imagine some employers might favor the non-Japanese speaking never been to Japan candidate, but I am not sure. Any hints/tips? :hobbes:ZA, assassin wants to be a teacher.

Assassin,
Depends on what kind of company you want to be with. I would recommend you include the experience. ZA is right that it shows that you're less likely to get the blues and catch a red-eye home. Also, if you've had experience in Japan, you really don't want to be with one of the companies that wants newbies with no experience to screw over. And, with all the newly-unemployed NOVA teachers out there, you'll need any edge you can get to pick up any but the worst eikaiwa-factory jobs.

[Pierrot le Fou]

Kay, I e-mailed you!

As for that, it probably doesn't apply to you because you'll be with a university, right? You can only work in a real Japanese company(not english-teaching stuff) if you pass the 2kyuu, and they like Japanese experience because it shows that you are familiar with their language and culture and can adapt to being a good drone. I hear mostly bad experiences working in Japanese companies. Mainly, they work FAR too much overtime(as in over 40 hrs a week) and don't get paid for it. Really crappy system, IMO >__<.
And FYI, I was perfectly capable of getting a non-teaching job without 2-kyu. it is not a necessity.

[ZaichikArky]

Thanks! I will check it out.

What do you mean I will be with a University? This summer I will get my bachelors degree, so I cannot work at a university (you need a masters). I plan on applying for a language school, or some other place like that.

Yeah, I just got that >_>. I need to stop reading so fast. So now I'm confused as to what you're doing, because I focused on the part that said "I am going to be applying for many different language schools as a undergraduate fresh out of college (im a senior now)" so I somehow thought you needed a resume to apply for graduate school in Japan. I guess first you want to work as an ALT/eikaiwa teacher and then apply for language schools?

Also, if you're applying for a teaching position, I strongly suggest to look at Scott's thread up there cause there are a ton of really helpful resources.

[assassin]

And FYI, I was perfectly capable of getting a non-teaching job without 2-kyu. it is not a necessity.

just curious, what kind of job was it and how?

[assassin]

ZA, assassin wants to be a teacher.

Assassin,
Depends on what kind of company you want to be with. I would recommend you include the experience. ZA is right that it shows that you're less likely to get the blues and catch a red-eye home. Also, if you've had experience in Japan, you really don't want to be with one of the companies that wants newbies with no experience to screw over. And, with all the newly-unemployed NOVA teachers out there, you'll need any edge you can get to pick up any but the worst eikaiwa-factory jobs.

That makes a lot of sense. How is it in Japan right now anyways? Are all those NOVA teachers sucking up the jobs?!?!

[assassin]

Yeah, I just got that >_>. I need to stop reading so fast. So now I'm confused as to what you're doing, because I focused on the part that said "I am going to be applying for many different language schools as a undergraduate fresh out of college (im a senior now)" so I somehow thought you needed a resume to apply for graduate school in Japan. I guess first you want to work as an ALT/eikaiwa teacher and then apply for language schools?

Also, if you're applying for a teaching position, I strongly suggest to look at Scott's thread up there cause there are a ton of really helpful resources.

Scott's thread? What one is that?

Also, thanks for the resume, I got some books on how to write one too so I should be all set.

[assassin]

oh wait I found Scott's thread.

[Micah the Great]

no.

[Pierrot le Fou]

I work as a 'documentation specialist' in a Japanese manufacturer, mostly making foreign-bound pamphlets and manuals, though my job description is essentially 'do anything needed in English' including presentations, factory tours for foreign visitors, all sorts of interpretation/translation, and help with all sorts of documents, explaining what they say to the Japanese staff who are in charge of dealing with them.

I got it because my Japanese, while not an 'official' level, doesn't suck, and was interviewed my by current boss in Japanese, and by the president of the company in Japanese.

[Trump]

In general, if you can relate something to what you want to do, put it on your resume. If you want to be a language or language arts teacher, experience with other languages, grammar, history, literature, etc would certainly be related information. Any teaching experience also. However, information about 6 months working as a waiter would be totally irrelavent. Now, if you were a "trainer" of other waiters at the restaurant, that would be relevant. I hope you see what I am getting at.

[assassin]

no.

"no" what?

[assassin]

In general, if you can relate something to what you want to do, put it on your resume. If you want to be a language or language arts teacher, experience with other languages, grammar, history, literature, etc would certainly be related information. Any teaching experience also. However, information about 6 months working as a waiter would be totally irrelavent. Now, if you were a "trainer" of other waiters at the restaurant, that would be relevant. I hope you see what I am getting at.

Ah i see. Well I am also fluent in Ukrainian (i was born there) so putting that down may be a good idea as well? Even though the job only requires English.

[assassin]

I work as a 'documentation specialist' in a Japanese manufacturer, mostly making foreign-bound pamphlets and manuals, though my job description is essentially 'do anything needed in English' including presentations, factory tours for foreign visitors, all sorts of interpretation/translation, and help with all sorts of documents, explaining what they say to the Japanese staff who are in charge of dealing with them.

I got it because my Japanese, while not an 'official' level, doesn't suck, and was interviewed my by current boss in Japanese, and by the president of the company in Japanese.

How did you get the interview? classifieds?

[Micah the Great]

"no" what?
I was breaking your combo... which i just did again! BAM!

[Pierrot le Fou]

daijob.com

Due to someone (EIJI? Chinpokomon?) pointing it out on this site.

[assassin]

daijob.com

Due to someone (EIJI? Chinpokomon?) pointing it out on this site.

Cool. I'll have to check it out.

[Noel]

I'm in a similar position to Assassin so this has been a helpful thread for me. Cheers :)

Apart from teaching jobs, what else is a (non-fluent) foreigner going to have a shot at? Pierrot le Fou's doc specialist job sounds much above my level.

[erbiumfiber]

There are some proofreading jobs that don't require too much Japanese (although some do want you to have Level 2 Japanese). Mostly just turning mangled English into colloquial English. Check out law firms, there's an awful lot of proofreading that goes on there.

IT work at banks and brokerages also doesn't usually require an in-depth knowledge of Japanese (I took beginning Japanese with someone who worked at an American brokerage). I also know someone who works for FedEx (don't really know what she does, sorry) who knows very little Japanese.

Apply directly to American/British/Australian companies with offices in Japan. They are interested in hiring native English speakers, but don't want to pay huge expat benefits to bring an employee over from America. Ideally, you would apply for these jobs after you have already moved to Japan. For example, come here on a visa to teach English, then jump ship after a year (or less) to work for a foreign company.

Also there is an international job hunting section on monster.com. I got my job through the regular monster.com.

[Noel]

There are some proofreading jobs that don't require too much Japanese (although some do want you to have Level 2 Japanese). Mostly just turning mangled English into colloquial English. Check out law firms, there's an awful lot of proofreading that goes on there.

IT work at banks and brokerages also doesn't usually require an in-depth knowledge of Japanese (I took beginning Japanese with someone who worked at an American brokerage). I also know someone who works for FedEx (don't really know what she does, sorry) who knows very little Japanese.

Apply directly to American/British/Australian companies with offices in Japan. They are interested in hiring native English speakers, but don't want to pay huge expat benefits to bring an employee over from America. Ideally, you would apply for these jobs after you have already moved to Japan. For example, come here on a visa to teach English, then jump ship after a year (or less) to work for a foreign company.

Also there is an international job hunting section on monster.com. I got my job through the regular monster.com.

Excellent, thanks very much for your help. :) :clap: