HOW TO GET TO THE INTERVIEW STAGE

International schools receive hundreds of applications for each teaching position, especially in sought-after locations. If your CV does not immediately stand out, it may never be seen by a hiring manager. No matter how skilled you are, a weak CV will keep you from getting to the interview stage.

At Desert Educators, we help teachers craft professional, competitive CVs that meet international school standards. Here is how you can improve yours—and if you need expert help, we offer a CV writing service for R400 per CV.

What Schools Want to See in Your CV

• Clear Work History – List every school you have taught at, the subjects and grade levels, and the curriculum you used. Always include start and end dates (month and year) for each position.

• Your Achievements, Not Just Your Job Description – Schools already know what a teacher does. Instead of listing generic duties like lesson planning and assessments, showcase your impact:

  • Did your students achieve higher-than-average exam results?

  • Did you successfully teach a high percentage of EAL learners?

  • Did you contribute to school improvement initiatives?

• Extracurricular Involvement – Schools value teachers who engage beyond the classroom. If you have coached sports, led clubs, or organized events, make sure to mention it.

• Keywords That Match the Job – Many schools use software to filter CVs before they even reach a hiring manager. Make sure your CV includes job-specific terms:

  • Applying for a leadership role? Use words like led, managed, coordinated.

  • Looking for a role in assessment? Highlight assessment, data analysis, tracking student progress.

• Proofread and Format Professionally – Spelling errors, poor formatting, and cluttered layouts can cost you an interview. Make sure your CV looks polished and professional.

Common Mistakes That Could Cost You a Job

• Using Acronyms Without Explanation – International schools may not recognize local abbreviations. Always spell out certifications, programs, and roles.

• A CV Longer Than Four Pages – Recruiters spend seconds scanning each CV. Keep it concise and to the point—long documents are rarely read in full.

• Placing Contact Information in Headers or Footers – Many schools use automated systems that cannot scan headers or footers. Always put your contact details in the main body of the document.

Need Help With Your CV? We Can Assist

If you are unsure about your CV or do not know how to structure it for international teaching jobs, we can help.

For R400 per CV, our team at Desert Educators will create a professionally formatted, ATS-friendly CV tailored to international schools.

Send an email to cv@deserteducators.com to get started.

Your CV is the first impression a school has of you—make sure it gets you to the interview stage.