Tutoring can be an ideal part-time or full-time job. It offers flexible hours and the chance to earn a good income by sharing your passion and expertise. However, breaking into tutoring requires careful consideration and planning.
Is Tutoring Right for You?
Tutoring isn't for everyone. Consider whether you:
- enjoy students and excel at teaching
- have expertise and appropriate credentials in at least one subject
- are willing to work a lot of evenings and weekends
- are comfortable with the income variation and instability that comes with freelancing
Determine Your Skill Set
First, make a list of the areas you're interested in tutoring. To maximize your income, consider not only academics but skills such as yoga, knitting or computing. Typically, you will need not only mastery of the area you wish to teach, but also “proof” you've mastered it by possessing the right credentials. For example, it is easier to get a job tutoring creative writing if you're a published author, not just a "good writer." Also remember that you should only tutor subjects that you excel at now, rather than those you were good at when you were in school. (Do you really remember high school algebra?)
You can earn money tutoring in almost any field, but the most in-demand areas are test preparation, writing, math and science tutoring, English as a Second Language, and foreign languages (especially if you're a native speaker).
Prepare Your Credentials
You will need to prepare a “tutoring-specific” resume that highlights your:
- Relevant credentials, which might include a degree from a well-respected school, a high GPA, high test scores, professional certification and/or awards.
- Teaching experience, ideally in the subject and age-group you wish to tutor, although any teaching experience is useful. If you have no teaching experience, consider volunteering at a local school or community center to get some.
- Good references, preferably from satisfied former students and/or their parents. You may also wish to collect references from former teachers and employers, as well as character references. Expect a thorough background check.
You should prepare for the interview process, as well. If you want to teach test prep, expect to take a practice test to verify your test scores. You may also be asked to teach a sample lesson, so prepare and practice a suitable lesson by teaching it to a friend.
Find Students Yourself...
Contact acquaintances who may need your services or who may know someone else who does. Tell friends and family about your tutoring plans, and post information on any websites you may be connected to, such as a blog or Facebook page. Once you have a few students, you will often gain more through referrals.
You can also post information around schools where your tutoring might be needed, or post about your services on-line, at sites such as Craigslist.org under “lessons.” (Websites are also good references for determining the typical local hourly rate.) When advertising to strangers, mention that you have good references, and anticipate that your references will be checked.
...or Work at a Tutoring Company
Working for a tutoring company can be a great way to receive training and connect with new customers. However, keep in mind that tutoring companies may pay you less than individuals, since they keep as much as 50% of the hourly rate they charge to families for your services. Also, tutoring companies may ask you to sign “non-competition agreements” stating that you won't tutor elsewhere, which can be limiting if the company fails to provide you with much work. Different companies also pay tutors significantly different hourly rates, so shop around before you sign any contracts.
Commit to Excellence
Commit to being a great tutor by making sure you are thoroughly trained in your subject matter before you meet with your students. Practice your lessons on friends and look for feedback about your teaching style. Take advantage of any training your tutoring company may provide. Find or create your own materials for lessons. Finally, subscribe to relevant journals and newspapers to keep up-to-date about the field you're teaching, and any relevant educational issues. You owe it to your students to be a great resource.
Perhaps the most important quality you can have as a tutor is a heartfelt, ethical commitment to helping your students reach their potential. Remember that you are not there to do students' work for them. Instead, you must be prepared to push yourself to keep learning as much as you push your students.
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