How to succeed in your career


Evaluating Job Offers for Teaching Abroad

You have decided on teaching abroad so youperfect) job, you should ask these questions
are off on the job hunt. Aside from theto  all  prospective  employers:
obvious considerations such as what country
to work in and what training/qualifications1.  What  is  the  salary?
to obtain; there are other things a teachers
should consider when looking at potential job2.  How  many  months  is  the  contract?
offers.
3. Do/Can you sponsor me for all paperwork,
There are many factors a teacher considersincluding teacher's license, work permit, and
which will affect whether they accept avisa  extension?
position. The most obvious factor would be
the content of the position. What is the4. How soon can you get this paperwork
school asking of you as a teacher? You mustprocessed?
ask yourself if the job is interesting and
fits into your career plans as a teacher. The5.  How  many  hours  will  I  be  teaching?
person you will be working for is also an
important consideration so you must take the6.  What  kind  of  insurance  is  on  offer?
time to talk to them either via email or
phone. It would also be beneficial to ask to7. When are the starting and ending times
speak to other teachers from the school tofor  work?
find out their impressions. Knowing what the
job is and whom you will be working with are8. About how many events a month are teachers
the first step in deciding whether to pursuerequired to attend outside normal working
it  further.hours (teachers' meetings, parents' meetings,
school  festivals,  seminars,  etc.)?
Some may say that the most important
consideration would be salary and benefits9.  Does  the  school  have/provide  books?
but these should be a secondary consideration
to what you want to do and who you will be10. Does the school have whiteboards or
working with. Regardless of the salary paid,chalkboards?
most people will not stay at a position where
they feel unsatisfied or have no growth. In11. Does the school provide all teaching
addition, the people you work with or formaterials needed? What are the items
have an enormous impact on your jobprovided?
satisfaction. However, when considering
salary and benefits, do not focus as much on12. Does the school require that I attend
the starting salary but rather on theteach  a  summer  camp?
potential for growth and increases. Does the
school have growth potential for you as a13. Is there a discipline policy? What is it
professional? Do they spell outand  how  is  it  enforced?
cost-of-living increases and meritorious
raises? Benefits are other areas that can14. What are the details of contract "extras"
supplement a position where the startingsuch as:a. Resigning bonusesb. Biannual or
salary is not as good as you would haveannual plane tickets to visit homec. Housing
wished. Get a list of benefits from theallowances (if no housing allowance then ask
company and formulate any questions you mayabout help finding accomodations along with
have regarding them so that you can bettercost in the school area)d. Internet access
discuss the position with management andboth in and outside the schoole. Raise
other  teachers  at  the  school.schedules
Another factor that may come into play withSearching for a position is difficult. After
many teachers when evaluating a position isspending many hours on a search, making a
the resources provided by the school.careful decision regarding a job offer is
Teachers spend a large majority of their timeimportant. Getting an offer does not
preparing for upcoming lessons. This requiresnecessarily mean you should take the job.
readily available resources such as teacherMost employers will not expect you to make a
books, computer, printer, internet access,decision on the spot. You will probably be
and preferably a reference library. Ingiven a few days to a week to make up your
addition, there should be a work area setmind. If they are unable to provide you with
aside for teachers to plan and prepare. Youthe time to make a decision then you should
should also look at whether the schoolnot consider this as a viable position. On
already has a set curriculum/syllabus andthe other hand, if you decide to go with a
student books because you may be asked toschool without finding out the proper
help to create these resources for yourinformation, don't blame the school when the
school year if they are not provided. I haveposition turns out not to be what you
known many teachers that have felt the needexpected or wanted. Weighing the advantages
to move on because of the demands of planningand disadvantages of the job will help you
for a school year without adequate resources.make a more informed decision, rather than
deciding on impulse.
To help you find that perfect (or near



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