Ready, Set, Go!
Starting up isn’t easy! We’ve been working ONE FULL YEAR to develop TEFList. And now we are just starting!
I’ll be inviting alpha users to test out the site this week. So welcome if you are reading this and one of them! We really need you to click on the red tag at the side and give us some info. on how you feel about TEFList. All Alpha testers that are teachers will get lifetime Premium membership benefits!
We have a lot of work to do but we feel we are making it much easier to get a job or find a teacher. MUCH EASIER. Let the games begin!
How to ACE your online job interview
Job interviews aren’t easy! The require their own set of skills and preparation. Teachers need to practice with the conferencing equipment (be it skype or tinychat, oovoo, tokbox or something else). There are also many other things to do. This presentation from TIME, offers a wealth of tips to those doing an online interview!
The 10 Commandments of A Job Search
Online recruitment sites such as TEFList make life a whole lot easier for those job hunting. Every day we are trying to make it even easier.
However, there are still many basic things that apply. The fundamentals never change and it is a good idea to review them before starting your search. Nothing more fundamental that “The 10 Commandments”. Here’s a nice presentation outlining them for those searching for a job. My fav. is last….says it all!
Do the right things! Beware of scammers!
I’ve been around the ELT (English language teaching) job biz a looooooooooong time. Too often,
Beware of scammers
I hear of teachers being ripped off by suppossed agents/recruiters/schools. A sad thing and it will even get worse in a more competitve market like right now.
The best way to protect yourself is to DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Here’s my few rules to guide you while on TEFList (but we will do our utmost to make sure you’ll probably never run into a scam!).
Rule #1 — IF it is too good to be true, it is too good to be true!
If the job looks perfect and pays a million bucks, it probably is a ruse and has lots of conditions. Nothing is free in the job world (except teacher’s use of TEFList!)
Rule #2 - If ANYONE asks you to pay in advance, run!
You don’t need to pay a cent to get a job. YOU are the valuable commodity and if any agent or recruiter asks you for money upfront — hang up / block their email etc…..
Rule #3 - Keep it private! – Build the relationship.
Here at TEFList, you get to internally contact employers/recruiters. You can keep you personal contact details private by using TEFList and in this way, protect yourself. You don’t know how frustrating it can be to get your email address onto scrupulous scammer’s lists. Here at TEFList, no need to worry. Contact employers internally and then, only after building a solid relationship, share contact details.
This recent article puts a lot of the online job scamming world into perspective. Great advice at the end and a good read! Remember, do your homework and play it safe!
David
The customer is always right – BEWARE!
The power of the web is amazing! Businesses really have to be on their toes and we at TEFList are all for the empowerment of the consumer! This delightful video highlights how United didn’t “own up” to a broken guitar and got the wrath of an online campaign. Dave Carroll of “Sons of Maxwell” got them to notice after he made this video. Get their whole story.
It tells us that businesses these days have to “listen” and respond to their customers. There is no ignoring, not replying, talking down or pleading ignorance. The customer is always #1 and will be so here on TEFList. That’s what the web is all about and what we are all about.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with any concern. And if you make a music video, please let us know in advance. 
David
Your Privacy is important!
Here at TEFList, we take your privacy SERIOUSLY! You can rest assured that all your information and personal data is private and safe and only used how you want it to be used. Turn your profile OFF and it is unavailable to the world. Turn it on and you can immediately be seen by the world as a job seeker.
Everything you do on the web has a long history. It never vanishes really. Here at TEFList, we keep your data private and in your settings you can even tell us to make sure that your page isn’t seen by google or any other search engine.
In this vein, I thought members would be really interested in this new development, a new program which will like a Mission Impossible tape, destroy your data (emails, posts, comments, anything you type online) in a specified time. It is a prototype but I think its time is coming….. this will be a boon for privacy on the internet, something I’ll say once again, we take VERY seriously. Watch this, it is cool…..
Employers – Use a recruitment video!
Schools around the world are using video to help them recruit the best teachers possible. Video is so effective and really communicated to the teacher candidates, exactly who you are and what makes your school or organization special. As that old saying goes – “a picture speaks a thousand words and video is more than words”. Start using video today and embed on your Employer’s page on TEFList using our Advanced Editor.
Here are a couple of examples to get you motivated. The first just uses a simple interview with the director. The second, more elaborate, is shot by a teacher at the school and features comments and locations.
Resumega – Resume Processor
Just as word processors have revolutionized writing, Resumega is revolutionizing the way people work with resumes.
Effective job-seekers routinely modify their resume to target a specific job. This can dramatically increase your chances of being hired, but it is also very time-consuming.
With Resumega, enter the information once and then choose from numerous templates.
Use Wordle to spice up your resume with a word cloud
A way to highlight your resume and get attention!
Why would you want to use this? How about to give visitors to your profile at-a-glance info about what makes you special – your interests, your skills, whatever you want!
TEFList already offers you the ability to embed photos right within your TEFList Profile for employers and teachers to see, but why not embed a word cloud too?
Who knows: it might help you stand out from the competition.
The “Art” of the video resume
TEFList will be expanding and promoting the use of the video resume. For both teachers AND employers. It is a win-win situation and gives each party more information from which to make life turning decisions.
Yet, there are pitfalls! The video resume got a bad start with Aleksey Vayner who applied to UBS with clips of his inflated athletic prowess. Here’s another video resume – my question, would you hire this guy?
A video resume, especially for a teaching job, offers you a great opportunity to show who you are. Many might think Alex is over the top, however, he really does get his point across and shows his creativity and initiative. Most importantly, he does it in a tactful way. So show off but just a little. Stick to the fundamentals employers want to see — eye contact, sincerity, language skills, your experiences and why you are the person for the job. But a little flair like Alex, tastefully done will work too.
Now get making your resume today! Possibility awaits.