• A completed or in process Bachelors degree in the subject(s) you would like to teach
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English Language
• Passion for teaching
• Teaching experience
• Computer skills (comfortable with using technology tools needed for communicating effectively online)

• Membership in American Tutoring Association (ATA)
• Membership in National Tutoring Association (NTA)
• Membership in The Association for the Tutoring Profession (NTATP)
• Membership in International Tutoring Association (ITA)
• Certification from Kroll Inc.

• 2-3 references from academic or educational institutions or businesses.
• and/or 2-3 letters of recommendations
• and/or 2-3 testimonials from parents, educators and/or students

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Subject expertise
• Comfort with keyboarding & computer skills
•  Ability to access and deploy online resources effectively
•  Good organizational habits
•  A variety of teaching approaches

Rates & Payments:

What factors should I consider when choosing an hourly rate?
We suggest you take into account a number of factors before choosing your hourly rate:

1. Your experience level - How do you value your expertise?
2. Your availability - How flexible are you with your schedule, weekends, holidays, early, late?
3. Your competition - What do other tutors offer for the same service?
4. Economic environment - How affordable are you when money is tight?
5. Your need - Would you rather have more tutees at a lesser fee or fewer tutees at a higher rate?
6. Your reputation - How well are you known and respected in your field?
7. Your rating - How well have your tutees and students rated you?

What do I charge?
You determine your  rates for all your tutorials. Because you are a paid tutor, you receive 100% of the rate that you charge for each online tutorial. If you use Tutoring Match's Payment Services, you pay a monthly service fee.

What if I want to alter my fee?
After you begin to tutor a student through Tutoring Match, we suggest you don't raise your hourly fee for that student or subject during the present academic year. In subsequent academic years, it may be a good idea not to raise your fee for any former student by more than $10/hour in any year. If you want to raise your rate during the time you are tutoring a student, please let us know and we will contact the parent about your intent. If the parent/student decide that that increase isn't in their budget, we will look into a finding a replacement tutor.

How will I be paid? When will I get paid?
 You get paid based on the services you provide through Tutoring Match. After students purchase instructional time from you, Tutoring Match pays you based on when you provided the service.

Payment Calendar for Tutoring Match Tutors:

Tutoring Match pays by check in U.S. dollars (USD). If you earn less than $10.00 USD during a pay period, payment is deferred. When you earn an additional amount and the total is greater than $10.00 USD, then Tutoring Match will issue you a check according to the payment calendar. Direct deposit can be arranged for checking or savings accounts.

Remember: Tutoring Match issues payment after you have provided satisfactory instructional services. 

Do you offer a  "referral fee" or "finder's fee" if I refer a tutor, parent or student to your website?

Actually, if you give us online referrals, we reward you by extending your online membership. When you refer a new tutor, a parent or a student to our website and he or she finds is matched through Tutoring Match, we will add a 1 month to your online membership.

Policies:

What is meant by a  "No Risk" first session?
 If the student or the tutor decides after the first hour that the in-home tutorial is not a good match, Tutoring Match does not charge the student or parent for that first session; otherwise, a charge applies. If you do not want to offer this option, you must use your profile's Payment Options text box to indicate that.

What happens if there is a  last minute cancellation?
To cancel a tutorial session, parents / students need to notify the tutor at least 24 hours in advance; otherwise, they will be charged the tutoring fee for that session. Of course, if a tutee gets sick or some emergency comes up to preempt the tutorial, then we don't charge for the tutorial as long as the parents have made an attempt to contact the tutor ASAP. Tutoring Match never gives out phone numbers or tutor contact information to parents. We suggest that the tutor give the parents his/her home and cell phone number and email for contact emergencies. We also tell the tutors that this cancellation consideration works both ways, if possible tutors should give more than 24 hours notice if they are going to have to cancel.
 
Will I get paid if the student cancels at the last minute or doesn't show?
Yes. We have a 24-hour notification policy with parents, and unless there are some extenuating circumstances, we will charge the parents.

How does the "satisfaction guaranteed" policy affect tutors?
 Tutoring Match encourages students and parents to resolve issues by working directly with tutors. For example, if a student has a complaint about your availability or instruction, expect the student to contact you. If a student cannot resolve an issue with you, he or she has the option of contacting Tutoring Match Customer Service. If Tutoring Match receives complaints about your instruction or professionalism, Tutoring Match can temporarily suspend your membership. In particular, we take our Privacy Policy very seriously.

What is Tutoring Match's Tutor No-Show refund policy?
 A student qualifies for a Tutor No-Show refund in either of the following situations:

• There was no interaction between the tutor and the student.
• The tutor did not connect and wait through the first five minutes of the session for the student to join.

Can I teach or tutor elsewhere if I'm working with Tutoring Match?
 Yes, you can teach elsewhere in addition to tutoring with Tutoring Match - a school, face-to-face tutoring, another tutoring company, or even another tutoring website. While other companies and websites may have certain restrictions, Tutoring Match accepts that you teach where and when you want. You don't work for Tutoring Match; you work with Tutoring Match. TM actually works for you.

What if I already have in-home students?
 You may want to offer your existing in-home students a trial online tutoring session with you on Tutoring Match. They might like it, and you could save time and travel - and actually earn a bit more as a result.  

Scheduling:

When is Tutoring Match "open"? When would I work?
Tutoring Match is always available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You choose the hours when you want to teach, as many or as few hours as you want. Work the same  schedule every week or change your hours regularly.

Note the following about teaching schedules:

• If you offer Instant Tutoring: When you're at your computer and ready to help students through Instant Tutoring, let students know. Sign in to Tutoring Match, go to your Instant Help Manager, and click a button to indicate to students that you are online and available.
• For traditional academic subjects: For subjects like Math, English, Science, and Social Studies in the United States, you'll find that scheduling is generally predictable. Students typically want to schedule Tutoring Match tutors for classes during afternoons and evenings, Sunday through Thursday, September through June.
• Growing opportunities with global students: Tutoring Match continues to grow in popularity globally, meaning students and tutors are located around the world and living in different time zones. As a result, the most popular teaching times are also expanding, giving you more opportunities to teach through us.

Can TM guarantee work on a regular basis? How many tutorials may I expect?
 TM will advertise and promote you as best we can, but we cannot guarantee you a definite number of tutorials or a certain amount of income.

Is there a minimum  number of hours you have to commit to each week?
 Tutors who are registered with TM do not have to work a minimum number of hours per week. You can tutor for as little as one hour per week or for as many hours as you would like.

Growing My Online Tutoring Business:

How do I get more students? How do I grow my business? 
 On Tutoring Match, students find you. To attract more students, try the following:

• Write a  great tutor profile. When you apply to tutor on Tutoring Match, you prepare a short narrative that explains who you are and what you teach. By reading these profiles, a student finds the tutor who's the right fit. It helps to read examples of good profiles and understand what works - and even to read bad biographies to get an idea of what to avoid saying. To make your biography effective, mention your teaching certifications, degrees, tutoring experience, and any special qualifications that set you apart.
• Tutor the most popular subjects. Even though Tutoring Match allows you to tutor any subject, the most popular subjects include business classes, such as Accounting, Finance, and Economics. Also popular are core academic subjects such as English, Math, and Science. If you are qualified to tutor any of these, emphasize them.
• Get additional  certification. While tutors on Tutoring Match are not required to be certified tutors, note that many students value certification. Consider getting certified as a tutor by a national association, or taking classes in online instruction. After you complete certification, add it to your Tutoring Match profile.
• Use the  social media tools on your profile. Share your profile with people you know and encourage them to forward your profile to people they know.
• Create your own advertising. See  Growing Your TM Business.
• Tell people that you tutor with Tutoring Match. If you tutor outside Tutoring Match, tell your students to try Tutoring Match. You might be able to save time and travel by bringing your existing students to the online world.
• Conduct free trial sessions. Students can try before they buy, and decide if you're the right tutor for them. Although you are not paid for this tutoring, conducting free trial sessions helps you promote your classse and build a reputation.
• Become a Premium+Plus + member. You will get more exposure on our website and in our mailings plus additional benefits.

 Do "No Risk" first sessions or "Free-First" tutorials help tutors get business?
 We only know that the "no-risk" first session works well because:

• Parents love the idea because they want the right fit for their child without spending a lot of money finding the right chemistry.
• Students can be more relaxed since they aren't under any additional pressure to make a tutorial work.
• Tutors may actually approach the tutorial with a different attitude and agenda.
• It sends a strong message about Tutoring Match's main goals.

How can I make myself available for instant tutoring and free trials? 
 You can easily announce your availability when you're ready to connect with new and prospective students, and you want to do the following:

• Tutor on a more flexible, unscheduled basis.
• Generate additional income above what you're earning through scheduled tutoring sessions.
• Get new students by conducting short free trial sessions.
• Free trial sessions allow students to try working with you to decide if you're the right tutor for their needs. Although you are not paid for this tutoring, conducting free trial sessions helps you promote your courses and set up paid scheduled tutoring with new students. During a free trial session, the student has the option to purchase additional time with you. With free trial sessions, time is limited typically to 10 minutes.
• To set your online status, click My TutoringMatch. On At a Glance, click Start Tutoring Manager, then follow the instructions on the page to set your availability.

Training & Support:

Do you have tips for learning the whiteboard?
Yes, you will find explanations and tips here on how to use the interactive whiteboard.

Is the training manditory?
No, but all of our online tutors must demonstrate a proficiency with online tutoring tools and tutoring techniques.

What is included in the training?
 Training is dependent upon experience and may include any or all of the following:

• computer skills
• whiteboard skills
• learning the differences between in person and online tutoring
• a mock LIVE session with a student
• Q & A about various tutorial situations or scenarios

What support do you provide to tutors?
 You are provided with tips, guidelines, training and suggestions on how to conduct your tutoring and assist students. We also supply parents with a list of questions tutors should be aware of when they interview for a tutoring position. We suggest that all tutors become familiar with Parent Tips as they may help parents make decisions in choosing the best tutor for their child. Of course, we are available to answer any of your questions.

Does Tutoring Match supply  tools and resources?
 We encourage all tutors to invest in their own tools, but we do offer a library of handouts, study guides, tip sheets,course and study tips and we also maintain a Tutor Resources page on our website for tutors to access ideas or materials to help their tutoring. Our blog also has numerous math, SAT, SSAT, writing, test-prep, grammar tips, exercises and sample problems listed for teacher/tutor/student use.

How do reviews and ratings work?
After a student completes your Tutoring Match session, the student can review it. A Tutoring Match review includes the student rating of the overall experience from one star to five stars, with five stars representing the highest rating. Students are also encouraged to include a brief description of your teaching, and to explain the reason for the number of stars they give you. When other students and parents look for a new tutor on Tutoring Match, they see any student reviews and ratings...and they are usually more interested in tutors with five-star and four-star ratings.

Here are suggestions for what you can do to get good reviews and ratings:

• Tutor only your best subjects. Tutoring Match averages together the ratings you receive for all your subjects. At the end of a session, check with students to see if there is any material they did not fully understand, or anything they think you could do better.
• Practice with Tutoring Match tools. Make sure you're skilled using the online tools, including the voice and whiteboard features. You don't want to get a low rating simply because a student couldn't read your handwriting on the whiteboard, or couldn't hear you on the voice feature.
• Build good working relationships with students. Be encouraging, ask clarifying questions, sympathize when they are struggling with the material, and offer specific solutions that are well-matched to their problems.

Give students a chance to show you what they have learned, and tell them how well they are doing. Successful, happy students give higher ratings to tutors.

How can I receive more tutor training and certification?
International Tutoring Association (ITA) has developed an on-line training program available to any tutor with access to the internet and the desire to improve his or her tutoring skills. And best, the training leads to ITA tutor certification. Besides the knowledge and confidence gained through training, an ITA certificate gives the tutor a leg up on the competition. ITA's on-line tutor training program offers an affordable and convenient way for private tutors to receive the quality training and certification. Visit www.itatutor.com today and become one of the many private tutors enjoying the benefits of an ITA Tutor Certification.

Do you offer online tutoring strategies & reminders:

1. Seek out training to be a more effective tutor; this includes subject matter as well as the tutoring procedures.
2. Clearly establish expectations for your learner; what are the expectations of the learner? of the teacher? and of those close to the learner (classmates, department, school, family, etc.).
3. Keep and follow a consistent set of rules; write them down; post them; refer to them! Rules are necessary, but must be mutually agreed upon with the learner. They must be fair and enforced consistently. Rules cut down on unnecessary struggles.
4. Have a clear idea of your own strengths and limitations and what skills or knowledge you can offer as a tutor. One reward of tutoring is the opportunity to use and apply what you have learned.
5. Know the learner: Discover his or her strengths and challenges in learning. Under what circumstances does he or she learn best? poorly? (Do not assume that everyone's learning styles or conditions are the same, or similar to yours).
6. Build a relationship and trust.
7. Be aware of the differences between you and the learner. You are not trying to change the learner, but to accommodate and use their learning style(s) in order to complete the tasks. Since you are more experienced, it is your challenge to adjust, adapt, or find a way.
8. Be open and honest: Sarcasm and condescension are unproductive. We do not tutor to impress, but rather to help.
9. Do not be afraid to acknowledge that the chemistry between you and the learner isn't right, and that another tutor might be more effective. The goal is to help, not endure.
10. Make sure the learner knows it is safe not to succeed at first; Learning is a process that often involves unsuccessful attempts. This is not failure since options are eliminated toward the correct solution. Learning and problem solving require passing through a period of sorting through facts and options moving toward success.
11. The tutoring session: Listen closely to work out the real problem; Check to see if the learner has prepared with some time and effort and attempted the assignments.
12. Assess the situation; think in terms of realistic objectives; develop a "contract" of agreed upon learning outcomes expectations of communication (availability, one/several sessions; means of communication (face-to-face, e-mail, telephone, etc.).
13. Use questions to enhance problem solving.
14. Demonstrate or model similar processes.
15. Don't be afraid to reveal that you don't know something. You can refer the learner to more sources, including the teacher. You can take the opportunity to learn/problem-solve, and bring back answers, and demonstrate that you are in a learning process as well.
16. Give positive feedback, use encouraging vocabulary.
17. Find success, and reinforce effort, in even minor accomplishments.
18. Summarize and review. Enable follow up.
19. Celebrate accomplishment!
20. Keep records for future reference.
21. Tutors are to act professionally and ethically at all times.
22. Tutors should have reliable access to a computer.

Do you have tutoring session guidelines?

1. At the start of the tutoring session, tutors should assess what goal(s) the student would like to achieve from the course or assignment (grade, knowledge, etc.) and what materials the student has used to prepare for the assignment.
2. If a tutor cannot assist the student on a particular assignment/question, inform the student that you will research the item further and will get back to him/her in a timely manner.

If you are interested in also becoming a Tutoring Match In-Home Tutor, see Become a Tutor.
________________________________________
Are you a student or parent and want more information? See the Student / Parent Help Desk