120 hr. TEFL Course Module 10-Getting a TESOL Job (Pt.9 Final tips)

Module 10: Getting a TESOL job

10.2.4 Final resume tips

Here are some extra tips for how to make your resume as strong as possible. Remember that your resume is what gets your foot in the door before an employer has even met you; make sure it is strong. 

Have a purpose in mind when writing your resume. Besides being organized and categorized effectively, your resume should have a purpose and tell a story. The more you know what that story is, the more a potential employer will see it. 

Pay attention to your diction. Look at the job listing and determine exactly what the employer is looking for, and use keywords that will draw their attention. If you are applying online, some employers will filter the resumes they receive using a keyword search, so make sure yours ends up on the top of the list.

Do not be afraid to discuss the future briefly in your resume. It can sometimes be helpful for you to let the employer know what your career goals are (as long as they are goals that show your loyalty to potential employers and how you want to build a career out of this job).

Use numbers and figures when possible. We discussed making your accomplishments quantifiable earlier, so if you can provide a number that displays your accomplishments, do it. 

It could be helpful to directly acknowledge any difficulties that the employer is facing that you could solve. Do some research, but only use this if you find something relevant. Do not just assume that the employer has a problem when they may not.

Whenever possible, use action verbs rather than “is” or “was.” This will highlight your role in whatever accomplishment you are noting.

Avoid pronouns even though you would typically use them. You are the implied subject of every sentence because it is your resume. Instead of writing, “I excelled in my undergraduate work, earning a 4.0,” write, “excelled in undergraduate work, earning a 4.0.” It gets more to the point and doesn’t bog down the space