Getting Started as a Tutor

Starting a tutoring career is a rewarding journey that allows you to make a significant impact on yours and your future students' lives.

Nowadays, people join tutoring for different reasons. Some are passionate about teaching, others seek a flexible career or additional income. Whatever your reason is, becoming a tutor is a fulfilling endeavor.

As a beginner, you may have many questions about where to begin and what you need to do first. Hence, today, I want to discuss and answer the most common new tutors have. And, I will provide practical advice to help you begin your tutoring journey with confidence.

How Do I Start Tutoring with No Experience?

A lot of people are giving up tutoring as they think they need experience to start. Starting as a tutor without prior experience is entirely feasible. In any case, somewhere you need to start to gain it.

Let's consider what can be the right approach to start without experience:

Leverage Your Academic Strengths

First of all, think about the subjects in which you excelled during your education or work. Your proficiency and passion in these areas can form the foundation of your tutoring services.

Think about exams you have prepared and successfully passed or maybe knowledge of a complicated tool. You will enjoy teaching anything you have enjoyed learning or working with. 

For instance, if you have a strong grasp of mathematics or a deep appreciation for literature, consider offering tutoring in these subjects.

Gain Informal Experience

Some people are afraid to go and start teaching strangers. If you are one of them, begin by offering assistance to your friends, family, or community members.

You can also volunteer to help students with their studies. It will provide you with valuable hands-on experience and build your confidence.

Additionally, you can participate in community education programs or after-school initiatives to further develop your teaching skills. Catch every opportunity you have.

Also, one good technique is to record yourself giving a lesson. This works best if you teach online. In this way, you will be able to see yourself from the perspective of others and notice what you need to correct. 

Do not forget, if you record a lesson with another person ask their permission.

Develop a Professional Profile

Create a comprehensive tutor profile that highlights your educational background, skills, and teaching philosophy.

Emphasize any relevant coursework, degrees, or personal achievements that demonstrate your expertise.

Clearly articulate your approach to tutoring, focusing on how you plan to meet students' individual needs.

You may or may not know your approach to tutoring or the different strategies, methods, or techniques. In this case, I advise you to read my blog or browse the internet to gain more knowledge. 

The point is that students are very educated these days, they know what methods work for them and what do not. And if you know nothing about teaching, most probably, students will not stick with you for long. 

Collect Testimonials

Reviews are very important for us tutors. You may have the most attractive profile ever, but the student will always seek of what other students say about you. 

Now, the question is where to get this feedback. Here are a couple of advice. First of all, gather feedback from individuals you've assisted, even in informal settings.

If you haven't bothered to tutor anyone yet, no worries. We have all had the first student. Wait for your first true students and ask them for feedback.

Reviews are a very powerful tool for people when choosing tutors, hence if you have testimonials do not hide them from people.

What Qualifications or Certifications Do I Need to Become a Tutor?

This question is very popular among people who want to become tutors. And fortunately or unfortunately, this question does not have a straightforward answer.

To begin with, a lot of people do not know the difference between a teacher and a tutor. Hence, they think that they need a special teaching degree or certification to be a tutor.

The requirements to become a tutor vary based on factors such as subject matter, educational level, and whether you choose to work independently or through an organization.

Educational Background

In general, you do not need either a teaching degree or a certificate to become a tutor. However, many new tutors take teaching courses to learn how to teach. 

On the other hand, a solid understanding of the subject you wish to tutor is essential. You may teach the subject of your choice because you have a degree in that area, advanced knowledge in it, or working experience. 

Also, many tutors prepare students for different international exams. Generally, those tutors take such exams and get high scores before teaching. 

However, if you want to teach at a language school, you may be required to provide either a teaching degree or a certificate.

Certifications to Enhance Credibility

Knowledge is power. Nowadays, people do not go to study simply to receive a degree. That is why online education and quick courses have become so popular.

Hence, obtaining certifications can distinguish you from other tutors and demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

For example, consider certifications such as:

TEFL/TESOL: For teaching English as a second language.

Subject-Specific Certifications: Relevant to the subjects you plan to tutor.

Tutoring Training: Programs that focus on teaching methodologies. There are many courses that exist nowadays. You will definitely find something for your taste.

If you don't want to spend time searching, I am about to launch my own training course dedicated to new tutors, where I will provide you with everything you need to know, to start teaching. 

How Do I Decide Which Subjects or Grades to Teach?

Selecting the appropriate subjects and grade levels is a critical step in establishing a successful tutoring practice. Let's go a bit more into detail about how to choose the subject to teach and what level.

Assess Your Expertise and Interests

To begin with, what are you interested in? The ideal subject for teaching is the one you are both knowledgeable and passionate about. Even if it is unpopular or not a highly paid subject. I will tell you why.

Imagine you explain a topic, and your student does not understand it. You explain it differently, and still not much of a difference. If it is the subject you care the least about, there is a chance you will not want to dive deep into five more ways to explain the same.

Also, you will not be passionate about finding ways to help your students learn that subject most effectively.

But, when you love the subject you teach, even your enthusiasm can enhance the learning experience for your students. 

Research Market Demand

Investigate the demand for tutors in various subjects within your community or online. Normally, when you teach online, you reach out to the whole world. Hence, the popularity of the subject you wanna teach will always be bigger online.

High-demand areas often include:

• Mathematics and Sciences
• Language Arts
• Test Preparation (e.g., SAT, ACT)
• Foreign Languages

Understanding market needs can guide you in selecting subjects that are both fulfilling and sought after.

If you are uncertain, start by tutoring a range of subjects. Reflect on your experiences to determine which areas you find most rewarding and where you can make the greatest impact.

Consider Age Groups and Educational Levels

Think about who you wanna teach. Which age groups you are most comfortable working with?

For example, elementary school children will require focus on foundational skills. Hence, if you are not very proficient in the chosen subject, you will not need to go more than basics. However, children require patience and a lot of creativity. 

Middle School children involve more complex subjects and developmental considerations. And high schoolers will need more specialized subjects and preparation for higher education.

Also, you can tutor adult learners. This category of students, most of the time, knows what they want to learn. They come with specific goals. However, they may require flexible teaching approaches tailored to adult education.

If you do not know what age category you are comfortable with, be open to experimenting. With time you will understand who you are most comfortable and interested in working with.

Align with Your Availability

If you want to teach full-time, make sure to adapt your schedule for your convenience. Mind breaks after each session and take days off. It is very easy to get emotional burnout since tutoring requires direct working with people.

People come with their characters, emotions, problems, etc. Ensure that the subjects and grade levels you choose align with your schedule and availability. Different educational levels may demand varying time commitments and preparation.

If you teach part-time, in addition to the above, define your schedule to align with your main job or responsibilities. Make sure you have it more or less constant, as frequent reschedules or cancellations will not keep your students for long.

Should I Work Independently or Join a Tutoring Platform?

Deciding between independent tutoring and affiliating with a tutoring platform depends on your personal preferences, resources, and career goals.

And to decide you need to know some pros and cons of each option. Let's discuss them here.

Working Independently

Pros:

• You have autonomy. Full control over your tutoring methods, scheduling, and business decisions.
• You manage your earning potential. Ability to set your own rates without sharing profits with a platform.
• Opportunity to build and promote your unique brand.

Cons:

• You are responsible for finding and retaining clients.
• You will have to manage your own scheduling, payments, and marketing efforts.
• The potential need for initial investment in marketing and materials.

Getting Started:

• Develop a professional website or social media presence to showcase your services.
• Network within your community and online to attract clients.
• Consider offering introductory sessions or discounts to build your client base.

Joining a Tutoring Platform

A lot of people consider the above to be big milestones and join an online teaching platform instead. Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of this choice.

Pros:

• Immediate exposure to a pool of students seeking tutors. This does not mean that right away, you have dozens of students to teach. But your profile is exposed for them to book. 
• You will have assistance with scheduling, payments, and marketing. This means that you will be shown the most and not-so-popular time slots for bookings. Hence, you can adjust your schedule. You will not need to do your marketing if you don't want to, and you won't need to deal with payments alone. Just set your price and collect your money whenever you want.
• Also, platforms build their name and trust. Hence, your association with an established platform can build trust with clients.

Together with Pros come Cons:

• Platforms may take commission.  So to say a percentage of your earnings, which may be reduced based on the amount of lessons you conduct.
• Your flexibility is limited as there may be potential restrictions on setting rates and policies.
• And high competition. As together with your profile page there are hundreds of other tutors praying for the same clients.

Popular Platforms:

Wyzant: Offers flexibility in setting your rates and subjects.

Tutor.com: Provides a wide range of subjects and resources.

Chegg Tutors: Focuses on academic subjects and test preparation.

Preply: Focuses on a wide range of subjects and test preparation. If you are interested in my experience teaching on Preply you can read it here.

Additional Tips for Success

Here I want to share with you some tips for success if you decide to start tutoring.

Develop a Clear Teaching Philosophy

Articulate your approach to education, emphasizing personalized learning and student engagement. A well-defined teaching philosophy can attract clients who resonate with your methods.

Enhance Communication Skills

Effective communication with students and their guardians fosters a positive learning environment.

If you teach children, communication with parents or guardians is even more important. Regularly update them on progress and be receptive to feedback.

Set Achievable Goals

Set achievable goals for both yourself and your students. If a goal your student sets is not possible to achieve in a given timeframe, don't be afraid to tell it to them.

Many people will reach out to you with very challenging requests. This is your duty to clarify all doubts and help them set realistic goals. Otherwise, you receive a bad review and lose the student.

Also, do not forget to celebrate milestones to motivate and encourage continued progress.

Invest in Professional Development

As a new tutor, learn the basics of teaching. Stay informed about educational trends and continuously seek opportunities to improve your teaching skills.

Attend workshops, pursue additional certifications, and engage with educational communities.

Seek Feedback and Reflect

I have been tutoring for thirteen years and in each lesson, one way or another, I seek feedback from my students.

As a new tutor, you should encourage constructive feedback from your students and parents to identify areas for improvement. Reflecting on your tutoring practices promotes growth and effectiveness.

A tutoring career is a journey filled with opportunities to inspire and educate. It is emotionally and financially satisfactory. By becoming a tutor, you will have an opportunity to work for yourself and bring positive change in the lives of others.

Believe in yourself, leverage your strengths, obtain relevant training, and make thoughtful decisions about your approach. You can build a thriving tutoring business.

Whether you choose to work independently or join a platform, success as a tutor lies in your dedication to your student’s success and your ability to adapt and grow as an educator.

Take the first steps today—start small, be consistent, and always focus on the unique needs of your students. As you gain experience and confidence, your reputation will grow, opening doors to new opportunities and rewarding relationships with learners of all ages.

Want More Guidance?

For more resources, tips, and advice on becoming a successful tutor, explore our blog at newtutor.net. Subscribe to be notified about my course, where I will share with you my thirteen years of teaching experience.