RESOURCES & JOB
SEARCH FOR TEACHERS
Career Services Center
A unit of Academic & Career Development Services
www.careers.wwu.edu
Karen Powell
Coordinator: Job Search Services
OM 280 ~ 360.650.3240
M – F; 8 am – 5 pm
Program Overview
• Schedule
▫ 8:30-10:15— Welcome! Job Search is in
the Air
▫ 10:30-11:45—General Certification
Information
▫ 11:45-12:45—Lunch on your own!
▫ 12:45-2:00—Interview Practice Sessions
▫ 2:10-3:10—Administrators’ Panel
▫ 3:10-3:30—Networking
• Handouts
▫ 2014 Job Search Handbook
▫ Education Job Search & √ List
▫ Elevator Speech/Mini-Resume Cards
Job Search is in the Air…
◦ The Teaching Market
◦ Job Search Process
◦ Networking
◦ References
◦ Strengths Talk/Elevator
Speech
◦ Career Services Center (CSC)
Benefits!
◦ Paperwork tips
◦ Upcoming Events
Getting in the Mood
for Job Search…
2012-13 Graduates…
JOBS IN AT LEAST:
• 3 Countries: Chile, Mexico & US
• 7 States: AZ, CA, CO, HI, NV, WA & WI
• Private & Public Schools
• 46 Districts in Washington State
FINDING POSITIONS IN DESIGNATED AREAS OF:
◦ ELED, ECE, ESL, SPED, Reading, ECE SPED
◦ Spanish, Visual Arts, Mathematics, Science, Biology, Chemistry,
Earth & Space Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts,
German, Middle Level Humanities
Job Search Process for Districts
Most districts ask for:
Some ask for:
◦ Online Application
◦ Statement of Purpose
◦ 3 Reference Letters
◦ Essay to Prompt
◦ 3 Reference Forms
◦ Answers to Questions
◦ Resume
◦ Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Exceptions:
◦ A few are not online
◦ Some only take letters or forms
◦ Other Variations
Read the fine print!
Job Search Tips…
◦ Make the most of EVERY opening-perfect paperwork, research,
network
◦ Use multiple approaches to search for jobs
◦ Make every contact count: be Professional
◦
Dress like the principal!
◦ It’s a job to search for jobs: putting time and energy into each
application will give results!
Job Search Process for Teachers
◦ Network to learn about process in different districts
◦ Identify and gather references
◦ List skills and strengths: record examples
◦ Prepare paperwork: Resume, Cover Letters, Applications
◦ Sign up for Viking CareerLink and other tools
◦ Solidify target locations and begin searching openings
Network: LinkedIn for Teachers
◦ A professional networking tool compared to Facebook, but used
by professionals to network with others in areas of interest
◦ Districts are using this tool increasingly, as are companies in other
fields
Steps to establishing a LinkedIn account:
◦ Build a professional profile
◦ Develop Connections
◦ Join Groups
◦ Research where fellow alumni are working in your field
◦ Follow districts in which you are interested
◦ http://www.wwu.edu/careers/social_media_andnetworking.shtml
References
 Who should you get to write your references?
 Arrange observations early
 Principals trust other principals & others who’ve observed your teaching
 Two Types of References: Letters & Forms
 Reference Letters
vs.
Forms
 Evaluated Individually
Computer Scored
 Narrative
Numerical
 Subjective
Objective
 Some considerations…
 Over summer & holidays
 After break or substituting
Know Your Strengths…
◦ Identify your teaching skills and abilities
◦ i.e. Assessment, Management, Instruction
◦ What makes you stand out?
◦ Customer service experience
◦ Exceptional organization
◦ Travel/Language acquisition
◦ Coaching abilities
◦ Record Examples on Index Cards
◦ http://www.aaee.org/
What is the Elevator Speech?
◦ Brief 30 to 60 second “speech” describing who you are and
the value you bring
◦ Ability to describe yourself to potential employer in time
limited and accidental meeting such as elevator ride
◦ Brief description is essential part of networking
◦ Say who you are, what you do, what you are interested in
doing and how you can be a resource to your contacts
◦ Use this presentation at a career fair, introducing yourself in
an interview, or today!
Paperwork Overview
◦ Target your information to the job notice
◦ Highlight qualities that help you stand out
◦ Think about past positions and how they relate to
the job & to what you know about the district
◦ Enrich your resume, cover letter & interviewing by
providing examples based on desired qualities
Two common reasons for elimination: incomplete
applications or errors in the resume or cover letter
Formatting Tips
◦ Be brief, easy to read, plenty of white space – style
and appearance DO count
◦ Generally: Keep Resume & Cover Letter to 1 page
◦ Be consistent in style and punctuation
◦ Don’t include personal information
◦ Use good quality paper & printer
◦ Proofread, edit, have someone else proofread,
edit, proofread, edit...
◦ Use Optimal Resume for a beautiful presentation &
easy storage
Diversify the Job Search…
◦ Viking CareerLink: www.wwu.edu/careers
◦ CSC: Apply, Job Search, How to Find a Job…
◦ Watch for Districts interviewing on campus
◦ Check your favorite districts websites
◦ Public Schools Personnel Coop.:
https://pspcjobs.hrmplus.net/Home.aspx
◦ OSPI-links to District & Other Websites
◦ http://www.k12.wa.us/
◦ http://www.k12.wa.us/employment/K12opportunities.aspx
◦ http://www.k12.wa.us/PrivateEd/PrivateSchools/default.aspx
◦ See Out of State Resources at www.wwu.edu/careers, Job
Search, on-line resources
Upcoming Events…
Career Services Center:
• April 16, 2014, 1:00-6:00 p.m.: Everett Public Schools Interviewing Practice
(sign-up on VCL)
• April 24, 2014, 11:00-3:00: WWU Spring Career Fair
http://www.wwu.edu/careers/careerfair_specialevents.shtml
Workshops offered in Old Main 280, register at www.wwu.edu/careers:
• April 15, 2014, 3:00 & 4:00: Last Minute Resume Check/Review
• April 22, 2014, 3:00 & 4:00: Last Minute Resume Check/Review
• April 30, 2014, 4:30-5:30: Resume & Cover Letter Writing for Teachers
• May 6, 2014, 4:30-5:30: Job Search Strategies for Teachers
• May 14, 2014, 4:30-5:30: Interviewing Techniques for Teachers
Other Events to watch for:
• April 15-16, 2014: Oregon Professional Educator Fair, Portland, OR
• https://www.oregonedfair.com/
Karen Powell ~ Career Services Center, OM 280 ~ (360) 650-3240
WWU CSC Resources
o
Viking CareerLink
o
On-Campus Interviews
o
Individual Counseling
o
Social Media Links
o
Mock Interviews
o
Placement File Services
o
Optimal Resume
o
Peace Corps
o
Career Fairs/Special Events
o
Employment Survey
o
Job Search Links
o
Quarterly Workshops
Six months free service post-grad!
www.wwu.edu/careers
Old Main 280 ~ (360) 650-3240
ENJOY THE DAY!
• Ask Questions
• Take Notes
• Introduce
Yourself
• Have Fun!
Karen Powell ~ Career Services Center
OM 280 ~ (360) 650-3240
Karen.powell@wwu.edu