When searching for an English teaching position in China, it’s crucial to have a CV that includes all the necessary information that schools seek. Your CV should be clear, relevant to teaching, and easy to understand, regardless of your experience level. In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to create a standout CV that captures the attention of schools in China, along with an example CV for reference.

Personal Details

Start your CV with your personal details. It’s common for us to receive CVs with just a name at the top, but when applying for a teaching position in China, you should include additional information that helps schools quickly determine your eligibility for a work visa (refer to the Chinese Z Visa Guide). Your personal details should include:

  • Name: Your full name.
  • Nationality: To legally teach English in China, you must be a native speaker from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, or the USA.
  • Marital Status: If you require visa support for a spouse or family, it’s important to mention this here. Many schools in China are willing to assist with family visas, but they need to know at the start of the application process.
  • Criminal Record Status: As part of the visa application, you must provide a police clearance certificate to prove you have no criminal record. Clearly stating your clean criminal record at the top of your CV can reassure schools about your eligibility. If you already have your police clearance certificate, mention it here.

Contact Information

Your contact details should also be at the top of your CV. While it’s advisable to include your phone number for local recruitment agencies, remember that Chinese schools may not reach out via international phone numbers. Therefore, provide multiple contact methods, including:

  • Email Address: Essential for communication.
  • WeChat ID: This is a common platform used for communication in China.
  • Skype ID: Another popular option for interviews and discussions.

Personal Statement

Following your contact information, include a brief personal statement relevant to teaching English in China. This section should provide a concise overview of your skills and qualifications, the type of position you’re seeking, and your motivation for teaching abroad. We’ve included an example personal statement in the CV template below.

Qualifications

To teach English in China, you need both a TEFL certificate and a Bachelor’s degree. List these qualifications directly under your personal statement to make it easy for schools to verify that you meet the requirements for obtaining a Z Visa. Additionally, include any other relevant qualifications to showcase your expertise.

Work Experience

Applicants typically fall into one of three categories:

  1. Experienced Teachers: Over five years of teaching experience.
  2. Moderately Experienced Teachers: One to three years of teaching experience.
  3. New TEFL Graduates: No prior teaching experience.

If you fall into categories 1 or 2, focus on detailing your previous teaching positions and relevant work experience. Include specifics such as the types of curriculums you’ve taught, class sizes, weekly teaching hours, and any responsibilities that highlight your skills.

For category 3 applicants, list your two or three most recent jobs and emphasize experiences and skills that are applicable to teaching. For example, if your last job was in sales, you might highlight how you developed strong communication skills and thrived in a fast-paced environment—both valuable attributes for a teacher. Alternatively, if you worked as a journalist or writer, mention your proficiency with the English language as a key strength.

Interests

Conclude your CV with a brief paragraph or bullet points outlining your interests and any additional skills developed outside of work. While this section may not significantly impact your application, it helps schools gain insight into your personality and may provide interesting conversation starters during interviews.

Final Tips

When crafting your TEFL-focused CV, use straightforward language. Keep in mind that the reader may not have a native-level understanding of English, so clarity is key. A well-structured CV should be concise, easy to follow, and should clearly address your suitability for the role. By following this guide, you can create a CV that stands out from the crowd, enhancing your chances of securing a fantastic teaching position in China!

Example CV

Below, we have created an example CV that incorporates all the points mentioned in this guide. It presents information clearly and professionally, ensuring that any school reading it can quickly see that the candidate meets the requirements for a work visa. This example CV is tailored for a newly qualified TEFL graduate, demonstrating how past roles are relevant to teaching by highlighting applicable skills.