For those of you that do not know, I have been working for VIPKID for over 6-months now, I just signed my second contract! Like any job, it has had its up (changing lives!) and downs (5am wake-up calls are the worst). Overall, I am really enjoying and it is great to be back in the ESL game. Chances are if you have ever mentioned or Googled ESL or China around your phone/computer, you probably see ads for VIPKID pop up on your Facebook feed. They. Are. Everywhere! And these ads make joining simple enough! What you don’t know is that of the thens of thousands to people that apply only a staggering 7-10% get hired. WOWZA! In fact, the majority of applicants do not even get offered an interview. I am here to help get you to that initial stage.
The Basics
Now first, this job isn’t for everyone and they have some strict requirements that they will not budge you. I cannot help you if you come from another country besides the US or Canada. However, if you have the right to work in these countries, you can still apply! Also, if you do not have a bachelor’s degree, sorry this is absolutely mandatory now with VIPKID, and they can be selective. Here is what you need to even get started with VIPKID:
- Must be a citizen of the US/Canada OR have the right to work there and be a native English speaker
- BA/BS or higher in any subject, related to educations is a plus
- Clean background check
- One year of experience*
Now experience is one of those “loose” terms VIPKID throws around. Having ESL classroom experience is the most idea situation. However, if you have regular classroom, tutoring, au pairing, or coaching experience this can count! As well as if you have trained employees in a job, training is considered teaching! If you do not have ESL experience, this is where a TEFL certificate comes in handy as a good, accredited organization will require student teaching hours. If you have experience teaching online, that is even more advantageous for you!
However, the thing to note is the length. If you have one hour of experience, the VIPKID system will know and automatically disqualify you. Same thing if you have a month of experience or 5 months of experience. Once you hit the 8-month mark of experience is where they will start to accept you in the system. As of March 2018, VIPKID now has two options to apply. Womp, womp.
So What Does That Mean?
It is extremely important to know that the page after your “basic info” is the only place you have to sell yourself. There is NO second page for resumes or additional info. To loosely quote Hamilton, don’t go “throwing away your shot” because you think you will have a second page to provide details. NO. You only have one tiny page and a couple of boxes to sell yourself. Now is not the time to be humble! You want to list as much experience as possible because you do not get to submit a resume after this second initial page. What you write here will make or break you. So, as long as you have the “experience” then you should use….
Option 1: Buzz Words, Buzz Words, Buzz Words
Okay, you just barely meet that one year experience, YAHOO! But having that experience isn’t enough, you can be disqualified for the language you DON’T use! Remember, the point of this is to sell yourself in as little time/room as possible. Your initial application is getting reviewed by a machine – as most major corporations do now. They are looking to see if you have the experience and use certain words that would make you a good fit. This is what that initial screening is looking for so they are not wasting the time of an interviewer. I know that sounds harsh, but it is a fact.
Some great buzzwords that I found to be helpful to add to your application:
students of all ages, ESL techniques, mentoring, tutoring, teaching, grammar,
kids (remember, if you have any experience with kids, nannying, tutoring, etc put this),
educating, TPR (total physical response when teaching), common core, engaging, dynamic
TPR is a big one to definitely highlight as this is literally all you will be doing when working for VIPKID. This is teaching through acting out, using hands, motions, etc. to convey what you are trying to teach. Remember, you are working with kids AND via the internet, so being as engaging and active as possible is important.
Option 2: Only Get to Click a Box for Experience
Yep…. as of March 2018 VIPKID has shaken up the hiring process AGAIN. Some people still get the old way (depending on when you signed up, the system, etc.) but more and more people are getting this way – you NO longer get to sell yourself. YIKES! Basically you have to click if you boxes stating if you teach in a K-12 US/Canadian classroom, if you went to school K-12 in a US/Canadian classroom, if you work in a home-school environment or none of the above.
Then, you will have to select how many years of experience you have. This is now the deciding factor, which is sad that you can no longer sell yourself and use those buzz words I mentioned before. However, if you have that year of experience you can still get through! Believe me, I tested it out for you guys and I got through with experience and saying I went to school in the US.
It is during the interview now, that you will be asked about your experience, your certifications, etc. and this will determine your pay and if you will continue onto the mock classes. SO, those buzzwords I say above? This is when you will use them – in your interview!
That’s It?
Yep! If you meet all of the requirements and really sell yourself when it comes to the basic info signup page, then yes you can bet you are going to be offered an interview! I have heard countless stories on the newbie pages how their friend with 20+ years of experience didn’t make it to the initial computer screening. Typically this is due to not selling themselves correctly (thinking there will be another page to input data/resume) or not using the right buzzwords that VIPKID is looking for. OR they may have experience that is ESL-based or at the university, so they don’t select having experience. DON’T DO THAT!
The interview is where you can fully sell yourself and show them what you are made of, as they will ask you questions about your background and experience there. But, you want to make it to the interview first. You are the star of the show, but you want to make sure they can see your show first, so by meeting all of the requirements and following the steps above YOU can make it to a VIPKID interview!
I hope this helps you if you are thinking about applying to VIPKID! Feel free to use my referral code to get you that much closer to the interview. I am happy to help in every step of the way!
