AI In TEFL Hiring: Are You Being Rejected By A Bot?

Your TEFL job hunt strategy has changed, and AI is the culprit. AI in TEFL hiring is here.

Since ChatGPT entered the scene, job hunters have been using it to craft cover letters, fine-tune resumes, and even do interview prep. Artificial intelligence is evolving quickly, and so are hiring practices. That rejection letter that landed in your inbox may have come straight from a bot!

For years, recruiters have been using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in their search for the right candidate. However, now we have to deal with ATSs that leverage artificial intelligence.  

An ATS is software used for recruitment and hiring. It stores the applicant’s information in a database. Similar to a search engine, a hiring manager can enter search terms and find candidates.

That’s right. Recruiters are adopting AI in their hiring efforts. Countless resumes are being sidelined before any human lays eyes on it! AI in education has arrived and this affects aspiring TEFL teachers.   

The plus side is that an ATS gets things done quickly without the hassle, meaning the job hiring process can be quicker. The downside is that the human touch is lost. 

Your teaching job application has to satisfy machine learning algorithms to stand a chance of making it past the screening process. 

Note: Machine learning algorithms are a set of rules AI follows to sort through data, see patterns, and make decisions or predictions.

How AI filters your resume

The ATS works like a sieve. It filters and keeps the most relevant candidates’ resumes. There are filters by age, location, experience, and education. These get ranked and potential hires get shortlisted.

Essentially, AI is fast-tracking hiring practices by automating how candidates are found, screened, and chosen.

That cover letter you meticulously crafted to show off your quirky personality may be redundant in the world of bots. You need to put your AI teacher hat on and optimise your application by including keywords and phrases that AI tools will recognise to land that cool TEFL job. 

With the inevitable rise of AI in education hiring practices, you’re more likely to be matched to jobs that suit your specific skills and qualifications, and less likely to face unfair hiring practices.  But when rejections pile up for roles you know you’re qualified for, frustration can grow and questions arise. 

So how do you get past the bot gatekeepers?

How to stand out in a bot-driven system

If you’re applying for TEFL roles with the same resume that you’re applying to non-teaching ones, then you’re doing it wrong.  

You need to tailor your resume and cover letter to the ESL industry and the job description. Include ESL keywords as well as words and phrases that appear in the job description, in your job application. 

Examples of ESL keywords:

• English-speaking
• curriculum development
• instruction
• tutoring
• digital

ChatGPT can help you integrate these keywords into your resume. Powerful action verbs like “created” and “designed” boost your application even more. 

While educational background is relevant, there has been an increasing focus on skills and hands-on experience over schooling. Highlight your skills by including a skills section in both your resume and LinkedIn profile. 

AI tracks your activity, so stay active on job boards. Think of recruiters as spiders at the centre of a web, sensing every movement. If your profile is active, they’ll notice. An inactive profile stays invisible. Even small changes, like updating your resume or commenting on someone’s LinkedIn post, can boost your visibility in searches.

Avoid gaps in your work history. If there is a gap, explain it adequately. 

Include your teaching achievements in terms of numbers. AI loves numbers, so including KPIs (key performance indicators) like “improved student test scores by 40%” will boost your resume’s visibility. You could mention how you’ve helped increase your students’ test scores or overall class average, but make sure you quantify your performance. 

Formatting matters. Use PDF format (unless otherwise specified) and don’t scan it as an image. That would make searching for keywords difficult for AI. Keep things simple and steer clear of complicated layouts like tables or images. 

How AI can evaluate your TEFL application essay

Many recruitment programmes like EPIK in Korea or JET in Japan require prospective employees to write an essay explaining why they chose their country as their favoured location. AI can evaluate whether you’re a good fit for the role based on how you write, your reasons for applying, and whether your reasoning aligns with the job requirements. 

Possible reasons you may be rejected based on an AI evaluation of your essay include:

• Lack of originality – ChatGPT is not your friend here. Your essay may be run through an AI detector. An AI-generated essay won’t look good.
• Lack of relevance to the TEFL teaching role – Include key concepts you learned through self-study, practical experience or through your TEFL certification. Connect it to your potential role. 
• Bad grammar – This is an immediate red flag. How will you teach correct English to students if yours is questionable? Write clearly and concisely. Proofread your essay for typos. 
• Vague/bad reasoning – Broad statements like “I love K-pop” or “I love Japanese food” are not a good reason to be placed in a school. Connect your motivations to teaching ESL specifically. 
• Complicated wording – Keep your audience in mind. TEFL recruiters from non-English speaking countries may not be fluent in complex language. It may send the wrong signal and have them questioning whether you are suited to teaching students who speak English as a Foreign Language.  

The bottom line: 

Adapting your TEFL job application strategy is important in a competitive landscape where hiring practices are powered by AI. Using some of the strategies mentioned above will boost your chances of getting noticed by the bots. 

Remember, once you land an interview, your amazing personality will finally be seen and you can connect on a human level.