Writing International Teacher Resumes to Target Teaching Abroad

Anyone who has ever applied for a teaching position knows the importance of having a quality, targeted resume and cover letter. Your teaching resume is the first impression a school or school district will see, making it imperative to standout. Usually, the employer will decide to interview or not to interview a candidate based solely on the resume and cover letter.

Resumes can be particularly important for individuals applying to teach internationally. If you are applying for a job outside of your home country, your resume may even be the only thing that your employer sees before you meet to sign a contract.  Be sure to have an accomplishment-based, keyword-rich, and skills-focused resume that sets you apart from the other candidates. If you are applying to be an international teacher, be sure to do the following things in your resume.

At the Beginning of the Resume State Why You Want to Teach Internationally

When you apply to teach internationally, a common question that might puzzle your employer is why you want to take a job so far from home. Be sure to compose a clear and concise statement that explains your reason for wanting to teach abroad. This needs to be done at the start of the profile.

Also, be sure that that profile explains that you have the desire to help students succeed academically and socially. Schools do not want to see statements indicating that you want to teach internationally because you desire to travel the world. While this may be the driving factor leading you to seek a teaching job overseas, it will not give you a competitive advantage.

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Mention Previous Travel Experience

You do not need to mention every vacation you have ever taken, but when you apply to teach internationally any traveling experiences abroad are important to mention. It's particularly significant to mention if you studied abroad while completing your education. Schools may be drawn to someone who is a more seasoned traveler because they look at your previous travel experiences as an indication that you will not easily become homesick and you will be committed to the responsibility of the position.

List Language Experience

List any languages that you speak, even just conversationally, in the profile or core competencies section. Even if the language that you speak is not the native language of the country in which you are applying to work, the fact that you can learn another language could help an employer determine that you would be a good choice. If you have never learned any other language, your employer may wonder why that is the case and be less inclined to hire you. However, by expressing that you are eager to learn a new language and discover the various aspects that make the culture so interesting and unique, you will still remain in good standing as a potential candidate.

Consider Translating

If you are applying to work in a country in which English is not the primary language, you should consider having all or part of your resume translated. Employers in Germany would be very impressed by a resume they received from an American that was written in German. While it is not mandatory for success, having your resume translated shows that you are truly committed to the position for which you are applying. With this being said, a poorly translated resume is worse than a resume that is not translated at all. If you are going to have it translated, make sure you get quality translation services.

Don't Lose the Intent of Your Resume

Even though you are applying to teach abroad, the primary focus of your resume is still that of education. Make sure you include all key sections:

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The same idea goes for your cover letter. In this job application document you do want to focus on why you would like to teach abroad and how you can be an asset to that school; however, you must include your major career highlights, teaching skills, classroom management techniques, and additional traits you bring to the table. Above all, you are an educator, regardless of where you teach.

If You Already Have Experience Teaching Abroad

If you already have experience as an international educator, you are one step ahead of the competition! In your cover letter demonstrate how your prior experience positively influenced you as an educator, and why you are eager to embark on the endeavor once more. State where you taught, what type of school you were in, what skills you developed, and if you gained any language experience.

Before You Hop On the Next Plane

Before you pack your bags and fly half way around the world, take the time to research your countries of interest, and understand the requirements for entering the country and teaching within it. You should also look into local customs, laws, etiquette, and health and vaccination requirements. If you are a female instructor, take special care to understand how you will be treated in another country, what the local attire is for women, and so forth. The last thing you want to do is offend someone in your new country, particularly a student or fellow educator.

Teaching abroad presents a unique opportunity to see the world. It is just not feasible for most individuals to quit their day job and jaunt around the globe, but if you teach abroad, you can see the world without putting your career on hold. In addition, it affords you the opportunity to become immersed in the culture, learn a new language, discover the wonders of another country, and make lasting friendships with students and teachers alike.