3 Ways Teaching Abroad Boosts Your Employability

You might think that teaching abroad is a get out for having to find work in the real world. But in reality, teaching abroad is actually one of the best things you can do to help boost your employability. Here’s why.

1. You aren’t just another graduate

Taking some time out to evaluate what you want to do with your life is a brave shout and one that should be encouraged. You’re setting yourself apart from the myriad of other graduates by actively doing something productive whilst you figure out what you want to do with your life.

The best bit for you? Whilst you contemplate your future, you’re building up a stock supply of transferable skills, travelling the world and getting paid to do it.

2. Builds your transferable skills

Your CV won’t simply state what your hobbies at school were and how you volunteered at the local Scout group (although well done for that). It will now demonstrate that you are capable of managing your time, good at communications, a quick learner and a natural leader.

Time management

Having to put together a teaching plan and implement it is not an easy task. You have targets that you have to meet, a curriculum that you have to follow, lessons that you have to prepare for and deliver and sometimes classes that you will have to provide cover for at the drop of a hat.

Managing your time effectively to get your work done is the key to achieving all of the above, and is something that employers look for in employees.

Communication

This will be your greatest transferable skill by the time you are finished teaching abroad. You are most likely teaching a group of students whose first language is not English, and you have to be able to get your points across clearly so that they are easily understood.

Your ability to speak in public and communicate effectively is going to be greatly enhanced by the time you are done. Plus, your confidence in your communications is going to be second to none.

Fast learner

Whichever workplace you want to enter, you’ll have something to learn. The ability to show that you’re a fast learner and adaptable is the key to proving your competency to potential employers.

They don’t have the time, nor the inclination, to spend hours helping you settle in, so anything you can do to allay their fears that they might have to hold your hand, will boost your employability hugely.

Leadership

Having to stand up in front of a bunch of people and teach them something new every day is not for the faint-hearted. It takes confidence and natural leadership to be able to communicate effectively and to get people to understand a new concept.

The ability to command a room and to keep people’s attention and focus for any length of time is not to be undervalued. This is a very desirable quality in potential candidates, for any employer.

3. Sets you apart from the other job hunters

You’re no longer just another graduate; you have done something interesting with your life for the last year, or however long you taught abroad for. Employers want to hire people that they can work alongside, day in and day out. They don’t necessarily want to hire the smartest or the most capable of candidates; they want to know that they’re hiring a personality who they can get along with – someone who’s interesting and has more about them than just work.

Finally, according to Time, working abroad actually makes you smarter, because you have to learn to adapt, to be flexible to learn a new culture and a new language. And who doesn’t want that?

CV-Library is the UK’s leading independent job board. For more expert advice on job searches, careers and the workplace, visit their Career Advice pages.