Holding IB diploma relevant when seeking first-time IB gig?

Hello everyone. I searched the subreddit but did not find information about my question exactly.

I'll be receiving my certification in the summer. Having studied both Creative Writing and Economics in my undergraduate, I was hoping to get certified in Language Arts or Economics and look for a position with a newer IB school in Asia for either of those subjects to get IB experience and build my resume.

My question is: I hold an IB diploma from my time in the program many years ago. Has anyone had experience leveraging their own IB diploma to get a first-time (or second-time, or third-time, etc.) IB teaching position? Typically I would not list my HS education on my CV as it's irrelevant for most jobs but if having that information on there could get my foot in the door (and not just make me look like a dork), I'd like to hear your thoughts. TIA.

in Internationalteachersby Zapatarama

100%

2mo

Gracie53

2mo

I didn’t put mine on my CV, but I mentioned it in my cover letter as some motivation for wanting to teach in the program and how that would impact my relationship and teaching approach with students. Like another said- the course itself is very different from the one I took. I don’t think anyone cared that I had IB experience, but I knew the vocabulary specific to IB and knew how to talk about it because I understood it from the student perspective and they cared about that.

Living-Chipmunk-87

2mo

It might not be a hiring advantage, but it will sure be advantageous for your students. You know it and can give them first hand knowledge of taking the exams.

Top_Voice4031

2mo

Yes definitely. Also if you attended an international school yourself. Schools do look at that.

Expat_89

Asia

2mo

I would not list that on a CV. It may come up organically in an interview, but thinking it would be an advantage in hiring is a bit naive. I took AP courses as a kid, does that have any bearing on whether or not I’m hired to teach one of those? Absolutely not.

[deleted]

2mo

Agreed. Probably good in an interview, though!

Additionally, if you are OK with a newer IB school in Asia (definitely should include China there, that seems your best bet from my personal experience), you can definitely get in at an IB school without IB experience... everyone has to start somewhere!

I would try to very clearly let them know you're enthusiastic about IB pedagogy in your cover letter, etc., though. Anecdotally, IB isn't for everyone and sometimes IB schools get someone who is more oldschool about education and doesn't buy in to the kind of 'progressive pedagogy', which isn't likely a great fit.

The curriculum of the M.Ed at UoPeople was co-written by the IBO, and it's a pretty cheap and accessible program... if you feel a need to bolster your credential you could consider it.

faireducash

2mo

Yeah it wouldn’t hurt - takes 1 line on your CV - I’d personally add it in this (international schools) industry. I think it helps because you can relate to students, know the system and have gone through it as a student and teacher.

Impossible_Dot_9074

2mo

It might be an advantage to have some previous experience of the IB (as a student) but obviously experience in teaching the IB is much more relevant.

petitchouf

2mo

Yes it will definitely help somewhat because it shows you have some background knowledge of the program and empathy for the students. I wouldn’t put it on your CV though. I would consider putting it in a cover letter as one of the reasons you’re very excited for the role - something specific about it anyway.

ItchyRedBump

2mo

I think the advantage is knowing the institutional language and being able to tell the interviewer about the impact the IB had on you. I wouldn’t necessarily add it to the resume, but you could definitely work in the personal significance into a cover letter.

Edit to add: if you scored a 6-7 on your subject exam, it is definitely worth sharing the experience and emphasizing that you know the demands of the course and how to get students there.

shellinjapan

Asia

2mo

I don’t add it to my CV, but I have added it to my cover letter when I know the school offers the DP (or is planning to implement it) and it’s something that has always been brought up in my interviews.

Experience teaching it is far more important, so having studied it won’t give you an advantage over experienced IB teachers, but is worth mentioning to show you do have some experience with the curriculum. Can also help from a pastoral point too, as you know about CAS.

IdenticalThings

2mo

I would absolutely list it in my cover letter and at least refer to it in your resume/education teaching philosophy section. It's years of IB experience either way.

Floyd_Pink

2mo

I'll give you my 2 cents from the other side of the table: by all means include your education on your CV but don't draw too much attention to the fact that you're an IB graduate. I've interviewed a few "IB grads" and without exception they all think they're hot shit. It's incredibly off putting and it means that all they talk about is the IB, which is not what I want to discuss during an interview.

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