The cliché that “you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression” holds true when it comes to submitting your resume for teaching English in China. Haida HR, a Hangzhou-based recruitment agency in China, enlists a few things that you must include in your resume for teaching English:
1. Personal Information
List your name, contact information, citizenship/nationality, gender, age, and marital status. This is to be listed at the top left of your resume. It may seem unusual or intrusive to some people, but this is the global standard for international jobs.
2. EducationBackground
This includes any and all programs, degrees, certifications, and other formal training programs that you attended in-person or online. Haida HR suggests highlighting your TEFL Certification, including the number of hours and hours of practicum.
List your qualifications in a descending order, i.e. write about your highest-level qualification first. Specify in detail about the institution, major, campus location, as well as the date of completion of final degrees listed.
You can also mention courses taken in fields like English literature, journalism, public speaking and foreign languages.
3. Career Experience
Mention your past employers, job titles, along with the dates of employment for each position you have held so far. Be very clear and concise in your descriptions. Start with the most recent or relevant assignment.
If you are right out of college and have little job experience, Haida HR suggests highlighting relevant activities related to teaching, i.e. teaching or working at a summer camp, tutoring, etc. You can also list your volunteer work in an ESL classroom for your practicum. Experience holds value irrespective of whether you were paid for the work or not.
4. Extracurricular Activities and Accomplishments
There’s more to one’s personality than just work. This makes mentioning the things you like to do in your spare time quite important. Many potential employers want to ensure that when you come to a country you are independent and can find your own way.
List any recognition or accolades you have received. Any achievements - whether it is climbing a famous mountain, completing a marathon, or winning a writing contest – can be mentioned.
5. References
While references are not mandatory, they are a good addition to the International Resume. There is no need to list your current employer if you don’t want them to be contacted. Try listing at least three references that you know well. Mention their name, title, company/school name, telephone number (include country code) and email address.
Given below is a sample resume format shared by Haida HR to teach in china: