A resume should ideally be no more than two pages long. It is also important that you do not make the font too large or too small. (I once received a resume in about 22 font size and thought it was a joke - maybe it was!) It is important that you adapt your resume to the position you are applying for.  It should be a summary of the most relevant experience rather than a description of everything you’ve ever done. Use bullet points for clarity and emphasis.

Common concerns and how to deal with them:

  • You have limited experience in ESL/ESL teaching.

If you have limited experience, include other experience, but adapt it. Focus on areas such as customer service, communication skills, ability to work well with others.  Here is a template that you might like to use to get you started:

Your Name

Mailing Address, including the City, State (spelled out) Zip/Postal code, Country Name

Home Phone (with area code) / fax (if available, with area code)

 
E-mail: abc@xxx
 
OBJECTIVE
 
To secure employment as a Teacher of ESOL to and/ or adults. (adapt accordingly) 
 
SUMMARY  (optional)

I am a certified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, and have teaching experience with...  (expand based on your experience)
 
EDUCATION
 
2001 CTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

(Add school information; grade optional)

1993 Degree obtained / major

Name of school, address (grade optional)

WORK HISTORY

2006 Position, Name of Company, Address

(Brief job description with responsibilities/ duties, relating them to teaching as much as possible)

INTERESTS

List of accomplishments/ skills. e.g. fluent in French. Computer Literate.

REFERENCES

Name position contact number

Other references available upon request.


  • You have extended experience in the field.

This can be a problem if you suddenly realize that you will need a ten page resume to fit everything in. Even though you will give details of your most current positions, you can add years more experience. My resume lists the last three EFL/ESL jobs I’ve had in detail, with an additional seven years of relevant experience in summary form. I do this to keep my resume concise while still being able to highlight the extent of my experience.

Simply make a summary of additional work experience at the end of your professional experience section and wait until the interview to expand on them. In addition, if you have attended/ presented at conferences, you could also summarize these events, again saving the details for the interview. It is important to remember to summarize this experience as much as possible. For example: Over 5 years EFL/ teaching experience at language programs, career colleges and high schools in Japan. Two years experience teaching at high schools in Australia.