"Get a Haircut" and Get a Good Job

Get a Haircut and Get a Good Job

Many issues affect your chances for getting a TEFL/TESOL English Language teaching position including your academic preparedness and flexibility in terms of location and conditions where you are applying.

In addition to the substantial savings over other programs all over the world, TEFL Chiang Mai in particular is offering the Advanced TEFL Certification for the same price as the basic certification when you enroll now and attend class before December 2011. This means that in addition to the basic TEFL certification you will also receive authorization to teach Business English, English for Special Purposes, English for Academic Purposes, Teaching English for Young Learners, Teaching IELTS Prep, Teaching TOFEL Prep, Teaching TOEIC Prep, and Teaching PET Prep. 

Graduates with these additional certifications have the advantage of substantially increasing their marketability and employment status. This is a limited offer available only at the TEFL Chiang Mai location. Improve your chances of getting a good job with higher a higher level of pay by enrolling today!

 

Many of those who already have experience as TEFL instructors are finding that becoming a certified TEFL trainer is another opportunity and feather in their cap in terms of meeting the demand of TEFL instructors (who are leaving their home countries and working abroad) by teaching others how to teach TEFL effectively. Whatever plan of action unemployed educator decides to take, in general, the more accredited certifications, flexibility toward global relocation and related experience one maintains, the easier it becomes to find work.

We at 

TEFL Chiang Mai English Language Certification  (a fully accredited and globally recognized TEFL program) strive for our students  to learn conversational English with the latest proven strategies and methods, but share up to date pedagogy and strategies as part of our teachers career development through the latest teaching paradigms.

 

STYLE VERSUS SUBSTANCE

In Asia, as in most parts of the “Western World,” you need to be conscientious about not only your skills and attitudes, but your appearance will be yet another crucial determining factor.  The issues of cultural identity are multifaceted and sometimes fortunate or unfortunate factors depending on ethnicity and where you plan on seeking employment. There is little one can do to prevent this, however, you can control the way you are perceived in terms of your professional appearance. As unprofessional as it may sound, many times employers in Asia, and other parts of the world, consistently place qualification judgements and success status on individuals who simply “look the part,” rather than delving deeper to get to know them as people with applicable teaching merits and abilities. This is typically less important in China than say your in South East Asia, however, looking your best will always be an additional asset no matter where you look to teach in a professional environment.

An article in U.S.A. Today spoke about candidates for jobs wearing jeans, purple sweat suits, and spike heels or sneakers. Other applicants weren't afraid to show pierced body parts and spiked hair. Still others chewed gum or showed up in rumpled clothes or with their pants falling down. One recruiter even told a candidate with his trousers down below his hips, to "Pull your pants up." According to the article, the outlandish dress costs some candidates the job.

First impressions count.  A professional consultant who doesn’t take the time to maintain a professional appearance presents the image of not being able to perform adequately on the job. Our professional dress code is codified because many professionals have never been taught appropriate professional appearance and demeanor.  Professional dress code standards are alive and well in major financial and executive management levels. Anyone who aspires to top management knows that personal appearance counts. TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS: (Inappropriate dress code and grooming)  No Neanderthal-style unibrows are allowed, and you should shave any loose hair on your forehead or the palms of your hands.  All ear hair must be shaved, and remove any "Admiral Zumwalt" style giant eyebrows.  If you must wear a toupee, have it custom fitted and secured properly.  Please, no Trump-style comb-overs. Here are some examples of inappropriate female grooming:   Prejudice still exists within corporate America and elsewhere about tattoos in their dress codes, and there is a clear correlation betweenincome, education and the population who have tattoos.  It's no surprise that tattoos are more popular among the poor and undereducated. Let's take a closer look at specific dress codes for male and female professionals.   Dress Code for Males: Body Art - Of course our dress code prohibits tattoos.  They can be seen as unprofessional, low-class and ignorant , and at no time may a consultant have a visible tattoo.  Read details about why most corporations prohibit tattoos.  Professional dress code and Tattoos   Suit – A suit means a SUIT; sport coats and slacks are not allowed. The suit must be dark blue, gray or charcoal, (except for tropical engagements) be “well tailored”, and have no loose threads, "pills" or "nurdles".    Shirt - A crisp white shirt is always required.  French cuffs are optional.  I have seen consultants turned away at the door of banks because of their hot pink dress shirt.   Tie - Must be conservative, something a bank VP might wear.   Shoes - High quality black lace-up shoes are required, polished to a mirror quality spit-shine.  You would be surprised at how many people judge you by your shoes.  See footwear details below.   Accessories - No phony Rolexes, body piercing or earrings.   Grooming - All hair, moustaches and beards must be neatly groomed and cologne must be used sparingly. Protruding nasal hair is prohibited, and all tattoos must be fully hidden.  If you have been working all night and have an early morning meeting, you can use an anti-inflammatory hemorrhoid cream (e.g. Preparation H) to quickly shrink those unsightly puffy bags under your eyes.  Just carefully dab the roid cream on your lower eyelids (being careful not to get any in your eyes) and you will look fresh and well-rested.   Cologne - Cologne and after-shave are optional, but if used, it must not be so strong as to call attention to yourself in a closed elevator.  Dress Code for Females: I'm not trying to be a chauvinist here, but many of our client organizations have standards for professional appearance, and it's better to be safe than to be embarrassed. Skirt Suit - No pants allowed, ever.  The suit must be dark blue, gray or charcoal.     Blouse - A crisp white blouse is great, and you may have ruffles and other decorations.   Tie - Optional, but it must be conservative.   Shoes - High quality black or brown shoes are required, polished to a high shine. (see details below)    Jewelry - Ostentatious jewelry, multiple ear rings on each ear, and multiple chain necklaces are prohibited.  Leave the Zircons at home; most people can recognize them instantly.   Cosmetics - Do not use the ski-slope approach to cosmetics (that's 3-inches of powder on top of a 6-inch base).  Use no "cheap" perfumes and make sure that you do not offend people with allergies with too much perfume odor.  Co-workers can sue your employer and you if your perfume is too strong.   Grooming - All hair must be neatly groomed.  Females with facial hair are required to shave before any on-site engagements.  You should always shave legs and exposed armpits.   Perfume - Too much perfume is considered especially heinous when the stench is so strong as to cause allergic reactions or when the odor can be detected from more than 3 feet away. Remember, the quality of perfume is directly proportional to the price, and many female executives can quickly tell if you are wearing a cheap, "stink pretty" perfume. While this may seem overstated, a professional appearance is an absolute requirement for Burleson Consulting.   Casual Dress Code Requirements When the client specifically requests that you dress down, the following dress code applies: Crisp, pressed button-down shirt   Slacks with leather belt   Leather shoes (no sneakers, ever, even on a casual dress day) The only exception to this casual dress code is when the client specifically requests you dress down below our casual standards (shorts, t-shirts). Tropical Dress Code When consulting for clientele in tropical areas, Burleson Consulting requires our professionals wear ties and dress clothes. You may, at your option, wear tropical suits when working in balmy climates (Caribbean, Polynesia, Hawaii, etc.). This DOES NOT apply to any consulting done in cities within the contiguous states (San Diego, Miami, etc.). Also, after the first day, you may dress down, but only at the client's behest. When consulting in these tropical areas, white, tan and light gray linen suits are acceptable for men and women, provided that the suits are permanent press and wrinkle-free.  You may supplement your white “ice cream” suit with a straw hat or felt fedora, but no hat styles that may have cultural intonations. Your tie must be worn at all times, but you may remove your jackets and roll up your sleeves, if this is the custom of your client.  Cultural Dress Code When representing Burleson Consulting, it is not acceptable to wear any cultural or religious garments that may offend a client.  See this page for details on working with different cultures. Burleson consulting respects the religious beliefs of you and our clients, but our clients come first.  When representing Burleson Consulting it is unacceptable to wear any garments, icons or jewelry that may have overt (or covert) religious, racial, cultural or national connotations that may offend a client.   It is important to any professional not to advertise religious affiliations.  For example, when consulting in areas with large Muslim populations, you may not wear customary garments unless you are a practicing member of that religion, and then, only when the attire is consistent with the other tenets of our dress code. Dress Code Accessories Here are some accessories that you might want to consider: Clothing shaver - These are very handy for stray pills and removing fuzz.   Travel Shoe Kit - It is critical that you touch-up your dress shoes, everyday.  You should not use a brush (it fades the mirror-quality), and I carry a t-shirt rag, black wax and a liquid black dauber for the soles.   Burberry trench coat - Instantly recognizable for men and women alike.   Rolex watch - The time honored, instantly recognized symbol of success. However, all accessories can be abused, so be careful that your accessories remain in good taste