Thoughts On A Job Post – Installment 6

Once again, I’ve added my thoughts to a job post – I certainly can’t confirm that this is a good or bad job, but my comments might give some direction to jobhunters in general. Note that this job requires an advanced degree; I do of course realize that most people eligible to apply will be experienced teachers and will not really need the TEFL Logue’s advice. Still, I feel this is useful for comparison purposes.

Search for additional advice you need in the Finding A Job Table Of Contents.

Position: Full-time English Instructor (annually renewable) [compared to some other headlines, this looks quite professional and reasonable. Good sign]

Position: Full-time English Instructor (annually renewable) [the emphasis is on returning, not just finishing a year]
In response to the continuing success of its expanding programs, … is planning to create one additional full-time English instructor position. We are looking for a dedicated and responsible, native English-speaking instructor who can start teaching our non-credit English Conversation/Composition/EAP/ESP classes in either July 2007 or September 2007.

This most prestigious university boasts a spacious campus comfortably surrounded by scenic mountains and outstanding academic atmosphere. Come join us now! [note the good English in this post so far; this is a good sign, not only that they take the care to present the position professionally, but that someone with a high level of English will likely be around.]
QUALIFICATIONS:
A MA/M.Sc./M.Ed. degree from an English-speaking country, with preference given to: (1) English Education (TESOL)/Linguistics/Literature majors; (2) Natural Science/Engineering/Business/Law majors with EFL related credentials and experience. We are interested in an instructor who can help us to continue advancing our popular core conversation classes as well as a candidate who could assist with the workshop and consultation services [workshops, okay, but what are these?] that we provide to our various professional and academic communities. In addition, previous teaching experience at the university level or experience with academic editorial work is highly desirable. A BA degree holder is required to have over three years of teaching experience at a university. [so it does require quite a high qualification or a good deal of similar experience…but given the good salary, benefits, and work environment, this shouldn’t be a surprise]

JOB DESCRIPTION:
A minimum of 16 hours of teaching per week [given what I know about this field, this could be the actual number of contact hours…but it would be worth finding out the maximum] as well as extra work related to the classes [understandable if it is planning, but I’d want a better description of what this covers].
SALARY:
The monthly salary is about 2,400 USD for a BA holder and about 2,600 USD for an MA holder. You will be paid separately for additional/extra teaching/work [it is a good sign that they specify this – though I’d still want to claify what is considered extra]. Upon the completion of the contract, severance pay equivalent to one average month¡¯s income is also made. [quite standard]
HOUSING:
You will be provided with either a rent-free, minimally furnished [this can be good; you aren’t stuck with someone’s antiques, but does it include a bed?], one- or two-bedroom Faculty Apartment close to the campus or housing support in a certain amount [how much?] each month.
VACATIONS:
You will have an annual total of 14 weeks paid vacation. [not too shabby!]
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
– You will be paid the amount of about 1000 USD for one round-trip airfare at the end of the contract.
– You may take courses in the University’s Local Language Program free of charge, provided that your attendance does not interfere with your duties in the English Conversation program. [this is a nice benefit. If you would want to take advantage of it, it would be worth checking if times are compatible.]

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Please submit these documents by regular mail (not e-mail):
…standard documents, cut to save space…
DEADLINE & CONTACTS
The application deadline is February 28 (Wednesday), 2007. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. XYZ at email@dotcom. FYI, we must receive all the application materials via surface or express mail; neither e-mail nor fax is available. [a little unusual for EFL but fair enough; possibly done to decrease the number of applications and weed out applicants who won’t go to the trouble to send things by regular mail.]