Teaching Jobs Overseas - 10 Steps to Become an International Teacher

Are you considering looking for teaching jobs overseas? Researching before you write your CV curriculum vitae or resume will save making mistakes.

If you feel you need a career change in your life, many teachers find a culturally stimulating and rewarding experience in an international teaching post.

Fortunately, there is high demand for good teachers overseas. You will find yourself in a much bigger pond of teacher job candidates.

Perhaps you feel your career has stalled and a transition will be the answer.

Maybe it is mid-career boredom that is dogging you.

Alternatively, you may be a new teacher with no experience in the classroom and are seeking experience.

10 Steps to Become an International Teacher

Why not use your education and experience to find an overseas teaching position which will let you see and experience other countries and cultures around the world?

Making the decision to find an international teaching job was the easy step. There are ways to screen out overseas teaching jobs.

Over 20,000 ESL jobs are advertised each month, according to Oxford Seminars. These offerings represent a diverse range of pay and benefits, working environments, and school experience and reputation.

There are other education positions available overseas, not just ESL teaching posts. International job titles such as international school leader, director, head of school, chemistry teacher, computer literacy online tutor, mathematics teacher, kindergarten teacher, high school English teacher, and middle school science teacher.

International job opportunities are vast, this is why job search preparation, targeting your CV curriculum vitae, and research are critical to land the perfect education job.

Ten Job Search Tips to Help Land an International Teaching Post

  1. Research the International Teaching Job Market

    Start by determining the overseas regions in which you are interested in teaching. Online overseas teaching job sites make it easy to assess opportunities, and compare pay ranges and benefits. Be sure to investigate quality of life and living expenses. Rents are very high in Japan, while an emerging market such as Cambodia offers a very low cost of living.
  2. Use Online Teaching Abroad Job Sites

    A good job market website can help you explore what is available and help you learn more about possible teaching jobs overseas. Research teaching job titles as well as actual job descriptions and duties. Teachaway and WorldTeachers are examples of general job boards with global listings. Another suggestion is to use targeted job boards. If you are targeting Hong Kong or the United Arab Emirates, check out the jobs at The Guardian.
  3. Research the Country Where you Wish to Teach

    Find out all that you can about the country and the specific location where you may teach. Ask yourself questions to determine what international country is right for you. Much can be learned by looking online. Learn about the country and the customs, weather, living conditions, and political conditions before making any decision.

    Check online sites to find forums written by people who live in the country, then post plenty of questions. You'll soon hear about both the pros and cons of the location. Many of the major job boards such as gooverseas.com provide regional sections where they provide information on the major ESL schools, cities, cost of living and so on.
  4. Join Teaching Programs

    In countries with high political risk, join a well-established teaching program such as Build Africa. This community development program takes teachers on a 10-day working tour of Uganda schools. The trip is a good way to get to know the country and school system and decide if you would like to dedicate more time to teaching in the region.
  5. Target Established ESL English as a Second Language schools

    Many ESL English as a Second Language schools specialize in regions in which they have in-depth experience hiring Western teachers and tutors. Accepting an ESL teaching job independently can be a risky venture, especially in countries with high political risk. Research as much as you can about the requirements of ESL English as a Second Language teachers to determine how to proceed with your job search.

    An ESL school will provide you with a safety net, and may provide housing (at least temporarily until you get established). Some even pay for your plane ticket, and may cover other travel and living expenses. Health care and insurance policies are other potential benefits.
    Also consider franchises of Western schools. The Canadian Franchise School provides jobs in exotic locals such as Cambodia with the administrative support and work environment of a Canadian educational institution.
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  1. Prepare an International Teacher CV Curriculum Vitae to land Interviews

    A US or Canadian resume may not hold its own among international job applicants if key information is missing. Customize your  resume for an ESL teaching job abroad. Or maybe, it isn't an ESL position you are wishing to secure. Be honest with yourself and with others about your education, experience, and background. Another important aspect to your job search is to choose the correct CV curriculum vitae resume format.

    If you don't have a strong grasp of the local language, you may want to limit your overseas teaching job search to countries that speak your native tongue. The same holds true for your teaching experience. Don't take a position for which you are not qualified or you may find yourself having a very hard time. Keep in mind that just being away from your native country will be difficult without making it more so.
  2. Join International Schools Run by Educators

    The high demand to fill ESL and other overseas teaching positions has resulted in high business turnover. The ESL market experiences a high number of new entrants each year, and many will close down in a short time. ESL schools currently operating have a diverse array of owners including former car salesmen and lawyers. Choose schools founded and headed by reputable education professionals.
  3. Ensure the School Conducts Tough Teacher Screening

    A school with high expectations for teachers is more likely to provide a quality teaching environment. Like yourself, you can take comfort in knowing that your colleagues have past the screening test.
    Your overseas teaching affiliations will be on your resume for the rest of your teaching career. Ensure you are affiliating with respected and established education institutions. Unscrupulous individuals do try to enter the overseas ESL market where high demand can mean screening may sometimes be lax.
  4. Choose Local Specialists

    If you always wanted to visit Manchu Pichu, then an ESL school specializing in Peruvian education could provide you the opportunity. Some of these schools also have a volunteer program.
    Perhaps your daughter, friend or a class at your school has participated in a volunteer program for a development organization with an ESL arm. Such recommendations can ensure you affiliate yourself with a reputable school in the region.
  5. Take Advantage of Self-Development Teaching Opportunities

    Trektoteach.org allows you to gain college credit while teaching. Numerous ESL English as Second Lauguage schools will help you obtain your English teaching certification while teaching abroad.

    Why not use your one year sabbatical to give your career a boost? If you have always wanted to work as a principal, superintendent or another type of educational leader post, why not try for one of the many school administration positions overseas available.

    With intense talent competition among schools, an experienced classroom educator would be a welcome addition to many administrative teams. Alternatively, perhaps you are one of many teachers still waiting to clinch an elementary grade. Increase your chances by finding a position in elementary teaching overseas.

    Many international teaching jobs will come to you. Peruse teaching association newsletters and visit international jobs fairs. International job events often set up near Western universities where they aspire to recruit graduates and teachers preparing for sabbaticals. They provide the opportunity to compare a smorgasbord of international teaching schools and positions and their offerings.

Don't Procrastinate - Start Your International Teaching Job Search Early

Begin your job hunt for a teacher post before it's too late – get a head start on the next hiring season.

The school year begins on different dates in different areas around the world, so find out what the school year dates are in any country where you might accept a job. 

Keep in mind that the sooner you apply, the better. You should consider applying at least six months ahead of the time you expect to start, with 9 to 12 months being ideal. There are many arrangements you'll need to make before you begin your overseas teaching assignment, so be sure to take them into consideration.

When you do receive offers, analyze them carefully and ensure everything advertised is in writing. Be aware that international teaching jobs can be competitive, but, in many cases, you may find yourself to be very much in demand.

With this in mind, don't sell yourself short. It's always hard to decide on whether or not to accept a teaching job abroad. Before saying "yes," be sure to check the pay scale. 

Overseas teaching jobs are paid in the local currency; check to see what the real rate of pay is by converting it to your local currency. Check the location to find out the cost of living. With this information, you can determine how much you will need to spend on your living essentials, such as housing and food costs. 

Finally, try to respond quickly to any offer. If they don't hear back from you quickly, they may move on to another applicant.

Don't forget to scrutinize our teacher resume examples to examine how we format and incorporate teaching experience and accomplishments.

Read in-depth blog posts about how to find an international education teaching job. While you are there you will find lots of job search and resume and application letter writing tips to gain some modern ideas to write your academic CV curriculum vitae to land a job abroad.

While you are visiting you can read these ESL teacher resume writing tips.

Learn more about Candace Alstad-Davies by reviewing my about me page. From that page, you can review testimonials and frequently asked questions.

Need some writing help making a stellar international teaching application letter, cover letter, resume, or CV curriculum vitae? Take the time to review and order one of our resume packages or individual services.

Have questions, please connect by send an email to Candace or call toll-free at 1 877 738-8052. I would enjoy chatting with you.