The International Schools Review Forum

My wife and I are in the process of putting our resumes together for Search and we have a few questions:
1. What is the best format to use (we previously made ours 12 years ago in Microsoft Publisher)?
2. Would you recommend a website or internet source for teacher resumes?
3. What is absolutely essential as far as what should go in a resume for international schools? (we have two years experience in Indonesia, four years in South Korea, and twelve years back here in Canada with me full-time and my wife substituting)

Thanks!!

I dont think you really need a template, IT resumes are very basic. The basic format is a reverse chronological resume. There isnt a "best" resume template for international schools. Every principal/head likes different things. To give you a few pointers.
1) Set your paper format to A4 size paper (the standard used everywhere EXCEPT the USA). Avoid using too many tabs. They will look different on different computers, and may look less professional.
2) Use standard fonts (Times, Arial, Helvetica, etc) most computers are loaded with local language fonts, and they may have a very limited number of english fonts.
3) Preferably send PDF's documents (and avoid all the above).
4) Recruiters are primarily looking for two things: What you HAVE taught (experience) and what you CAN teach (degrees and certifications). Second to that are: skills (technology, etc), and extracurricular interest (sports and clubs).
5) Start your resume with whatever your strength is. If its your 5 degrees and 20 certifications start with that (under the title of "Education"). If its a decade of teaching experience start with that (under the title of "Experience"). Most of us at this stage in our career have more then a page, but recruiters really only have time for the first. So whatever is first on the resume should be your most impressive.
6) Dont use a skill summary or objective at the top of your resume, it waists valuable space and we know what your objective is (its the job your applying for). Also, dont bother with the "references available on request" line at the end of your resume, you better have references or you wouldnt be applying.
7) For each experience entry you should have no more then 1 bullet point per year of experience. Having a dozen accomplishments or descriptors for a one or two year job is just fluff. Either the accomplishments are trivial, or exaggerations. Each entry should have at a minimum, Dates, Name of Organization, and Location.
2010-2011, Acme International School, Nowhere/Fantasia
After that should be your job title, but "Teacher" looks boring and Repetitive, so Include your Grade and Subject
Teacher - IB Diploma, English A
Under that should be whatever achievements or descriptors you want, but keep it to a minimum, and unless you didnt do anything you can leave out the formula line such as below (Asterisks are preferable to bullet points, if your using word):
*Taught English Literature to 1st year Diploma Students. (BAD)
*Faculty Sponsor of the Writing Club. (OK)
*Completed Writers Workshop Training. (GOOD)
*98% IBO Exam Success Rate. (VERY GOOD)
8) You should have more emphasis on recent activities and less on distant activities, if you graduated 20 years a go, no one cares if you were on the honor roll.
9) So if the first 2 parts of your resume are Experience, and Education, the third part should be focused on skills such as foreign languages, technology, coaching skills, etc. and any other training qualifications or experiences you have that might be relevant to the position. Any other relevant information to teaching as well.
10) Include a photo with your resume but not ON your resume. Lastly make sure your contact information is at the top of the first page, specifically your email address, phone number (begin with 01, not just 1) and Skype name (most interviews are done by Skype if not in person, as opposed to a phone call. It will also help you discover whos really interested in you, if your suddenly asked to add a schools skype contact list.)

Just wanted to say thanks, PsyGuy, for posting this. Very helpful!

Ive searched the forum and can't seem to find an answer to this question:

With IS's, should I put the references/contact info at the end of my resume or is that redundant since I'm on Search and they can find it there?

I know I didn't include them when I was job searching in the US (based on some advice) since I was going to turn in letters of recommendation for each of them anyway.

Bellerex
I always put references onto the end of the resume. If you apply to schools their basic request for data usually consists of resume, covering letter and references.
Even though I am with Search, it is necessary to comply with the school request.
Also, I know that often admin just get on the phone or email to one another so the info is right there in the resume. I THINK the Search format for references may still be the old tick box, with small boxes for more discursive comments, so a quick chat might establish whether or not you'd be a good fit.
Of, course, the million dollar question gets asked then...."would you hire them again?"..................
Good luck.
Cheery

Thanks Cheery,

I only took the references out of my resume while I was job hunting in the US, and again, only based on advice I had been given. Putting them back in now :)

Also, do you include their mailing address when you cite your references? Does anyone care about mailing addresses anymore?

Hi Bellarex
Yes, I would put their mailing address, phone number and email. You might even ask if there is a particular number your admin uses for enquiries related to references. The one that our admin gives is different to the general school number.
The other reason I put mailing addresses is that it gives a complete and unequivocal location for the school, especially in places where you might have an American school, the British International School, International School, New International School etc etc! You only have to look at the range of school names on the paying section of this site.
Finally, if the school name does not also make it clear, it establishes a time zone...just in case someone gets on the phone! :wink:
Any good prospects for you yet?

Thanks again. I tend to be a perfectionist at these little things, and I never feel quite like I have it exactly how I want it. I've got formatting OCD, but my bedroom is a mess, haha.

Nothing yet. We're behind the ball a little.. just got activated on Search today, yahoo! We've a stockpile of schools we'd love to teach at, and a few that we have some good connections at that have asked when we're going to apply so they can drop our names, but we haven't applied anywhere yet. One of my wife's references (her current head principal) hasn't filled out the reference form yet. Will that be a problem if we apply places now?

You seem like an expert on the subject, can I send you my resume to critique? If so, I'll give my email address so you don't have to put yours out there.

Hi Bellerex
I'm not an expert, honestly! But I do get cheeky and ask for advice often. I am lucky to have some very experienced administrators as friends so I have had some very good advice.
I, too, am a formatting maniac!
I would be happy to look at your resume.
Cheery

Thanks yet again! my email address is bellarex@gmail.com. If you shoot me an email I'll reply with my resume attached.

I put my references in a second document. Always follow the schools application instructions. I also include the full mailing address. Not only does it establish time zone and location, but phone numbers and email addresses change, and with the address its easier to do an internet search to find the new contact info.