As the application window for international schools remains open, it’s not too late to apply for a teaching job abroad and the excitement it can offer.
However, to land a job you need to first secure an interview, which means submitting a strong CV and cover letter. As someone who routinely reviews applications and shortlists candidates, it is disconcerting to see so many potentially promising applications let down by basic errors.
So, if you want to land that job, look at these top tips and make sure these mistakes don’t crop up in your application:
Tips for teacher job applications
1. School names - get them right
We know you might be applying to multiple schools but any application must get the name of the school right at every mention.
That may sound obvious but I have seen names spelled wrong, incorrect capitalisations and sometimes even the wrong school name used entirely.
Additionally, addressing the application to the correct recipient adds another layer of professionalism, while getting this wrong means you are unlikely to progress.
2. Proofread
One way to avoid the above is to ask someone else to proofread your application. After all, given the professional standards expected in education, submitting a letter with grammatical errors and spelling mistakes is hardly likely to set the right tone.
Seeking assistance for proofreading demonstrates humility and a commitment to excellence, and there’s no shame in doing this.
3. Understand the school’s identity
Generic statements about aligning with a school’s mission or values are insufficient without specific references.
You need to show that you have read and understood the school’s ethos, core values and mission statement, and explain how you align with these in a manner that feels authentic and engaging.
More on teacher job interviews:
4. Don’t use AI
Using a platform like ChatGPT in job applications is all too noticeable - especially when applicants are asked for their educational ethos.
For example, we often see sentences like this: “I aim to promote holistic development by addressing social, emotional, and ethical aspects alongside cognitive skills.”
This sort of sentence is easily identifiable as written by AI because it has a very bland tone and style within an overly complex sentence that is chiefly just filled with cliche. It is very easy to spot these when reading multiple applications.
Remember, you are likely to be questioned on the content of your letter in the interview and if you can’t explain what you have written, it will be obvious. If you can’t be bothered to write your own application or educational ethos statement, what does that say about you?
5. References - have them ready
Omitting references hinders progress in the recruitment process. They are crucial for safeguarding protocols and interview considerations.
Providing a comprehensive list of references, including current and past affiliations, not only smooths the application process but also enhances an applicant’s credibility.
In this current day and age, you are unlikely to get to an interview if you do not have referees willing to give you references or you are unwilling to submit them first.
Tips for a successful online interview
If you get these basics right and are invited to interview, the likelihood is it will be online. Here, again, I regularly witness potentially promising candidates letting themselves down with basic mistakes that can be easily avoided:
Professional appearance: Dress appropriately, even for virtual interviews. It reflects respect and professionalism. Showing up in a hoody because it’s 6.30am in the UK is not acceptable, nor is hugging a mug of coffee and slurping from it during the interview.
Avoid distractions: Refrain from using other devices during interviews so that you maintain focus and demonstrate preparedness. You should have done your research on the school - have sticky notes stuck to your screen to refer to if you need to, but you should not be Googling or looking online during the interview. That blue light reflection in your face will give it away every time!
Posture and demeanour: Maintain good posture and exhibit proper etiquette to create a positive first impression. Make sure your screen image is clear, the sound works and you’re not slouching during the interview.
Check your background is appropriate and that you will have no distractions. Having to switch to another device because your sound is not working is not a good impression. These checks should all have been made beforehand.
Engage: Your interviewers know this is a daunting experience, so try to relax, smile and be yourself. Showcase your personality while demonstrating preparedness and professionalism.
Maddy Jones is assistant head of secondary at The International School @ ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
