2010 job search handbook for educators


















Employers want to know exactly how you can be useful to them without having to read through excessive or unrelated details. A one page resume is ideal: two pages is the maximum. Resumes should have a positive impact by being clear, accurate, relevant to the job objective, and focused on one school corporation or employer.

The head of personnel management for one of the largest and most prestigious employers in the Washington, D. If in that brief time, she does not see anything that gets her attention, she rejects the resume.

Hermann and Linda P. Sutherland Carry resumes with you when you are canvassing school corporations for job openings. Leave them with your completed application. When you send a resume by mail, always include a cover letter to identify the job for which you are applying, and why the employer should hire you.

Resume Formats There are two basic resume formats that can be utilized to showcase your talents. Work and educational experience are listed in reverse order of occurrence beginning with the most recent dates and working backward.

Teaching duties are then listed under the job title, organization, and dates. This format allows a person to use skill clusters, but also to list dates, places of employment, and possibly job responsibilities.

This resume format combines a chronological work experience with skill clusters. This allows you to organize skills in an order that most supports your job objective. Sample Chronological Resume Jane E. Sample Combination Resume Jane M.

What one person likes, others may not. If you do have a two-page resume, make sure they are two relatively complete pages. If there are gaps, be prepared to explain them. Use matching paper for cover letter and avoid folding your resume into a mailing envelope. Send it in a 9" x 11" mailing envelope. Keep the drive safe, and make a back-up copy. Examples include: created, managed, developed, revised, presented, etc. The quality of your resume reflects the quality of your work and professionalism.

If you make a mistake on your resume, will you make a mistake in your job? Employers will think so. Resume and Interview Tips for Education Students In order to effectively showcase the product YOU , you must be able to identify your strengths, skills, and abilities. Type: Rules I can also stand on my head! Hope to hear from you shorty!

Also have a flair for floral arrangements and catering. If I am not one of the best, I will look for another opportunity. Resume Critique Checklist Material fits neatly on one page, two pages if there is enough relevant experience.

No spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Typing is neat, clean, and professional-looking. Name, address, telephone, and e-mail are at the top and easy to locate. Margins at sides and bottom are not less than one-half inch. Layout and design are easy to read and pleasing to the eye. Important titles are emphasized by using text enhancements where appropriate caps, bolds, underline, italics , but not overdone. Indentations or appropriate symbols are used to organize information logically.

Overall appearance invites one to read it. Action words are used to communicate accomplishments and results. Extraneous personal information height, weight, age, sex, etc.

If using a career objective, make sure it is specific, clear, and targeted. Use conservative colors like white, off-white, beige, or gray parchment. Avoid graphics and colorful paper unless you are in the design field. Always use reverse chronological order. Employment that is older than 10 years is not listed.

Language specific only to the company in which you worked has been translated to apply to other areas. Strongest statements are at the top, working downward. Dates of employment and education are included and accurate. Quantities, amounts, and dollar values are used to enhance the description of your job.

References are listed on a separate sheet of paper with the same heading as the resume. Addresses and phone numbers of previous employers are omitted. Hobbies or social skills are not listed unless they are related to the targeted job. Some employers focus on the cover letter, others focus on the resume.

Make sure you invest time in developing both, and you will present yourself in a more professional light. Once you have developed a cover letter you are happy with, hang on to it with both hands. The body of the letter will always highlight and showcase the key points you wish to stress. Keep the following things in mind when developing your cover letter: Be Specific Always address your letter to a specific person or title.

Call the school corporation to find out to which you should address the letter. We all like to see our correct name and title in print. Prove that you can showcase your abilities, skills, and strengths concisely. The employer will appreciate it. Writing Skills Unlike a resume, a cover letter requires complete sentences, which sometimes makes it more challenging to write.

You can have your resume and cover letter critiqued in Career Services in Kettler ; Use business letter format, typed in an eye-pleasing, easy-to-read font, printed on the same bond paper used for your resume. Use words you are comfortable with, and that reflect who you are. What about e-mail? If you are e-mailing your resume, you still need to introduce yourself by way of a cover note unabridged version of the cover letter. The same rules apply and you need to follow them to get noticed.

The resume can stay the same; cover letters must be more specific, pointed, and personal. They help when you write follow-up letters. Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors.

In May , I will be graduating from Indiana University in Fort Wayne, IN with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, and given my educational background and relevant experience, I believe I am the ideal candidate for a position with your school district.

I have enclosed a copy of my resume for your reference, in addition to my application form for employment with Fort Wayne Community Schools. As a substitute, I am familiar with many schools in the district. I have been a resident of Allen County all my life and have an understanding of the socio-economic structure, political issues, and concerns of a diverse population.

During my years at IPFW, I have been exposed to several perspectives of education and have had an opportunity to explore new methods of teaching. While pursuing my degree, I taught a Sunday School class of fifteen 5-and 6-year olds and assisted with a 4th grade Brownie Troop.

These experiences, coupled with action assignments and student teaching, have exposed me to a variety of age groups and have allowed me to broaden my teaching abilities.

I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my education and experiences would meet the needs of Fort Wayne Community Schools. Should you require additional information I can be reached at or at imastudent yahoo. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Ima Student Enclosures 22 22 The first paragraph gives the employer a frame of reference. No spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Typing is neat, clean and professional-looking. Use simple language. Keep it short, sweet and to the point. The cover letter is typed, never hand-written. No extraneous personal information height, weight, age, sex, etc.

If answering an ad, the cover letter is written specifically to the ad. I have individualized each cover letter. I have not included salary information. I have described myself in terms of the contributions I can make to the employer.

The tone of my cover letter is proactive. References—Why Have Them? Who Should Be Included? Do you have what it takes to do the job? This person should be able to say an unqualified YES! Coliseum Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN reynoldslaura hotmail. Teacher candidates are often asked to submit their "credentials" when applying for teaching positions. This term can be confusing, because credentials as they were originally intended are seldom used today.

A few years ago, however, the federal government passed legislation making closed credential files illegal, so our office no longer keeps these files.

You need to create and maintain your own credential file and mail the information directly to school districts. It is very important to recognize that every school district's application procedures are different.

Follow their instructions precisely. Failure to follow directions may cause your application to be eliminated. Newly certified candidates are most frequently asked for evaluations from their student teaching supervisor s and university supervisor s. Critical Information to Know about School Districts In your interviews with K school district administrators, it is very important that you know as much as possible about the school, district, and community in which you might be employed.

Also, you should be prepared to ask about concerns and issues related to your employment that are of interest to you. The following are topics about which job applicants typically have questions.

Adapted from Career Planning and Placement materials written by Dr. Jan E. Education Interviews Before the Interview Your success in interviewing depends on how convincingly you can convey your ability to teach.

In order to answer questions effectively, you need to do your homework about yourself and the district you are considering. You need to understand the different types of interviews school districts use so that you can prepare for the interview in the best way possible. Self-Assessment Identifying your own strengths and weaknesses is important interview preparation.

Make a list of the things you know you do well, and those which you would like to improve. Learn to describe your skills in terms familiar to employers. For example, dependable, quick-learner, competent, dedicated, and enthusiastic. Understand that employers recognize that beginning teachers still have much to learn.

Honest assessment of your shortcomings will also help you to prepare questions for the interview. Research Potential Employers Learn as much as possible about the districts or schools that you are targeting in your job search. When you request teaching applications, ask for brochures or other printed information about the district.

Check with your career services office to see if they have files of informational or promotional videotapes about the districts you are considering. Local chambers of commerce are another valuable source of information about communities and schools. Write or call to request a packet of information. As you accumulate this information, you will discover that not all districts are equal. You can use the results of your research to disqualify districts that do not match your career aspirations.

First Interviews Districts generally use first interviews to select final candidates from large pools of applicants. These interviews may take place on campus, at job or career fairs, or by telephone. Some districts will use graded or standardized interviews while others may use standardized selection instruments.

Regardless of the location or exact type of interview, you should understand that first interviews are generally used to eliminate candidates who do not match the profile and qualifications a district may seek. You can often determine the types of interviews that are used by simply inquiring at the central office.

The following is a brief description of each type of interview: Graded or Standardized Interviews These are similar to oral examinations and follow a definite process. Fortunately, most candidates have faced similar situations in courses they have taken. All candidates are asked the same question, and their responses are recorded and scored. This individual interview grade is added to each candidate's other grades, which may include such items as application materials or institution of education and degree.

The final scores are tallied and then the finalists are selected from those with the highest scores. Standardized Selection Instruments These are paper and pencil examinations that are quite extensive.

Telephone Interviews This type of interview has become more common as candidates apply for positions located great distances from their colleges. These interviews offer an economical way to bring a candidate and interviewer together for a conversation. You should be aware of your voice inflections, articulation, and the way you word your responses when you participate in a telephone interview. You will not have the opportunity to use body language and gestures.

Second Interviews Potential teachers are selected from a small group of finalists during second interviews. Almost two-thirds of all teacher candidates will meet with the superintendent during second interviews. Many will meet with school board members, curriculum supervisors, and selection committees. Second interviews may also include going out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

It is wise to order something you can eat gracefully if you are faced with such an occasion. If you are invited for a second interview, use this opportunity to clarify any unresolved questions you may have. If you receive a verbal or written contract offer at the conclusion of the interview, you should be prepared to give an answer or to ask for a reasonable period of time to consider the offer.

Practice, Practice, Practice Participating in mock interviews is a good way to prepare for real ones. You can practice with a friend or with a career services professional. If you have the opportunity, participate in a videotape session, which can give you an idea of how well you are doing with gestures, body language, maintaining eye contact, and the clarity and diction of your answers. Invest in your own career success by practicing until you are comfortable and confident. During the Interview Arrive on time or early and know where you are supposed to be.

If you are unsure of the location, check that out several days prior to the interview. Introduce yourself to the receptionist and explain why you are there. Be courteous to the office personnel.

They are often asked for their impressions of candidates, and it would be unfortunate to lose a job offer because you were rude to the secretary. Greet your interviewer with a smile and firm handshake. The interviewer will control the course of the interview, but you need to control your own body language and answers. Because interviews are often subjective, your enthusiasm, self-confidence, eagerness and believability will affect the outcome.

Remember that your nonverbal and visual signals speak as loudly as your words. Interviews most often include a greeting, a period of employer's questions and candidate's responses, and an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions, and a conclusion. Be ready to ask a number of questions. At the conclusion of the interview, restate any points you feel are important and merit additional emphasis.

Always ask your interviewer for a business card, and ask whom you should contact to check on your candidacy. Be sure to ask when the selection decision will be made so you will know how long you may be a candidate. This also enables you to determine when or whether the position was filled.

After the Interview Proper follow-up is critical. This is an opportunity to punctuate your interest in a position and to express your gratitude for the interview.

Sadly, only a small number of candidates send thank- you letters to interviewers. This courtesy can make a difference, and perhaps give you an edge over other candidates. A good practice to follow is to mail your thank-you letter the same day as your interview. Keep a job-search journal with consistent notes about your progress on each job opening.

After each interview, summarize in your journal what transpired, who you met, and any other thoughts for future reference. Do not be surprised if you do not hear from the district following your interview.

School administrators are very busy and are unable to call or write every individual they meet. If you do not hear from a district within two or three weeks following an interview, call them to inquire about your status as a candidate.

Offer to provide any additional information necessary to assess your candidacy. If you do not receive an offer, courtesy and professionalism may keep the door open for a future opportunity. The event was highly successful, and Career Services plans to continue this event every summer. Visit www. Digital editions will be accessible through the member portal on our website. For each of your students to access this resource, we will ask you to provide a name and email address via an Excel sheet or CSV file so we can establish a free AAEE Educator Candidate account.

AAEE is always happy to work with you to find the best solution. If you don't see a quantity that meets your needs, please send us a message and we will gladly consider your request. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know by emailing Luke at info aaee.

We're here to help! They have done an amazing job! Over a period of several months, they collaborate to review and select articles, edit, and prepare a cohesive publication, specifically targeted to the education profession. Prepared annually, it's relevancy and substantial focus make AAEE's publication the premier job search handbook on university campuses across the country.



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