Cover Letter‏‎

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© <a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/tudor/' target='_blank'>TheGiantVermin</a>When you apply for a job, as well as your TEFL/TESOL CV/Résumé you will also need to send a cover letter or email.

Remember that the cover letter is the first and best chance to make a good impression so it should be the best you can create. A potential employer will read this and then decide or not if it is worth opening the CV/Résumé.

The letter should be short and to the point. School owners and DoS‏‎ do not have time to waste so they want to see without delay who you are and whether it is worth spending time on your application.

The cover letter should contain these points:

  • why you are writing
  • where you saw the advert
  • who you are and what you can offer
  • why you want this particular job
  • ask them to consider your application

Don't, however, be arrogant in your letter and tell them how good you are and why they should employ you. This simply does not work in most countries where pushy candidates leave a bad feeling in the mouth.

Also, bear in mind that the person reading the letter may not have a 100% grasp of English so you should keep it simple and to the point. Don't be clever, in other words, as it may not be understood.

The idea you should always have in mind is that the letter should encourage them to open up your application and read more about you.

Sample Cover Letter

Here is a typical cover letter for a job. It is simple, to the point and clear.

Dear Mr Li,

I am writing to apply for the position of EFL teacher at "China School" which you advertised on the EFL Job website on 3rd March, 2012.

Last year I graduated from Smithtown University with a degree in English. Following on from this I took and completed my 120 hour TEFL Certificate with ICAL. During that time I was also volunteering at a local community centre in my hometown teaching English to new arrivals - a job I enjoyed immensely!

I have long planned to come to China and teach English (I'm starting to learn Mandarin) and I would appreciate it very much if you would consider me for the position of EFL teacher in your school.

I have attached my resume and look forward to hearing from you soon.

With regards,

Jack Jones.

 

Proof and Proof Again

Finally, the first things any decent school owner or DoS will notice in your letter are grammar‏‎ and spelling errors. Make any and chances are your application will be consigned to the rubbish bin.

So once you've written your letter, check it very, very carefully indeed. Then check it again. And then get a friend to check it. And then another one.

Any mistake in the letter - or your resume/CV - is liable to lose you the job!

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