The Tefl industry is one of the most competitive in Asia. With so many people vying for jobs and contracts, it’s no wonder that scams are common in this field. But how do you know if your potential employer is legit? How can you spot a dodgy Tefl employee? In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the telltale signs that might indicate something fishy about an upcoming job offer — including what to look for when interviewing prospective employers.
Are you considering a job in the Tefl industry but are worried about getting scammed? Great! You should be worried, but this post is here to help you! You should be worried. This post is here to help you. Be wary of dodgy Tefl companies, Tefl employees and recruiters and job ads for the same reason: they’re all scams!
All About Scam Companies
If you care about your career and want to avoid being scammed by unscrupulous companies that want to take advantage of your desire for work in the industry, then this guide will teach you how to spot them before they get a chance at stealing your money or ruining your chances of getting hired on at a real place like what I did (and still do).
The first thing to understand is that there are two different types of scam companies: those that don’t actually exist (i.e., they’re just a website with no physical address or staff) and those that do exist but are just plain bad at what they do.
The first type is easy to spot: If you’re applying for a job on their website and can’t find any evidence that they actually exist, then you should move on. But what about those companies that do exist but aren’t great at their jobs? That requires a bit more research; however, there are ways to find out if the company is reputable or not—and if they’re not reputable (or even crappy), then you should avoid them like the plague!
How To Dodge TEFL Job Scams?
So, how do you know if a company is reputable or not? Well, the first thing you need to do is check out their website. Does it look professional? Do they have lots of testimonials from teachers who have worked for them and are happy with the experience (and if not, why not)? Are there any reviews online about this company—both good and bad ones?
If you can find reviews from other teachers who have worked for this company, then that’s a good sign. If there are no reviews or if the ones you do find are bad, then that’s another warning sign that something might not be right. If you can’t find any reviews, then try searching for this company’s name on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. If they have a profile on both of these sites, then that’s another good sign—it means they’re trying to build their brand online.
If they don’t have a profile on either of these sites, then that’s another warning sign that something might not be right. Finally, look at their website and see what they offer. If they offer things like free housing, paid flights to China or Korea and back, etc., then this is a good sign—these are all benefits that most reputable companies will provide for their teachers so it’s nice to see them here.
If they don’t offer any of these benefits, then that’s another warning sign. Finally, read over the contract carefully and make sure everything looks right to you. If anything seems strange or unclear, then ask for clarification before signing. The same goes for any changes you receive to the contract after signing. If there’s anything that you’re not sure about, then ask your recruiter or the company itself for clarification.
Steps To Safeguard Your Career From Job Scams
Do Your Research
It is worthwhile to look into the firm a little bit before applying for a position teaching abroad. Checking out the business’ website is the best place to begin. Nowadays, it seems like almost every business has a website, so it’s likely that the school or organization you’re applying to has a website or (at the very least) social media. How does the website appear? Is it appropriate? Is the business a member of any organizations that support education or has it received approval from reputable organizations like Ofqual or Equals? Are they centers for IELT, Cambridge, or Oxford test preparation? Any of these are reliable signs that the institution you’re applying to is a good one. (You can also confirm the school’s or business’ accreditation by looking it up in the registry of the awarding body with whom they claim affiliation.) It may be a warning sign and wise to look into the business further if they don’t have any of these on their website or if the site is poorly constructed.
Student Experiences
You can learn about the school’s administration and organization from the study habits of the students. It might be time to start wondering why they just complain about the school and their time there. On school websites or by performing a Google search for the school name, you can find student reviews. Make sure you are looking at the right school in the right location or nation before browsing these pages, which should have a variety of reviews for that particular institution.
Ask Lots Of Questions
So, congratulations on making it to the interview! You ought to have the chance to ask the employer some questions during the majority of interviews. Ask them how regularly they hire new TEFL teachers, and keep an eye out for any indication that teachers depart frequently or that the business is dodging your query. The finest schools will retain their TEFL instructors year after year; if they do not, it may be a sign that the staff is dissatisfied with the school.
If an employer’s ads appear during the academic year rather than at the beginning, you can tell they are having problems with teacher turnover because it usually indicates that the employee left before their contract expired. Many teachers do relocate each year in the field of teaching abroad, but it could be a warning sign if they leave abruptly in the middle of their contracts.
Conclusion
Tefl has become one of the most popular ways to earn a living abroad, but it’s also a great way to start your career in the industry. However, like any job, there are some people who will make it difficult for you. By using these tips, you can avoid being one of them.
