“Finding Your First
Administrative Job”
Dr. Nick Osborne
Dr. John Dively
Dr. Marleis Trover
Dr. David Grace
Educational Leadership Department
October 2013
Please sit in the middle, front rows!
Overview
Current Job Market…good time to be looking
Where to Find Job Opportunities
Cover Letters
Resumes
Interviews
Post-Interview
Job Offers
Contracts
Once You Have the Job
2
Websites for Job Openings





IASA Job Bank http://www.illinoiseducationjobbank.org
National Association of Elementary School Principals
http://careers.naesp.org/search.cfm
National Association of Secondary School Principals
http://www.principals.org
American Association of School Administrators
http://www.aasa.org/YourCareer.aspx
Education Week
http://www.topschooljobs.org/jobseekerx/
3
Cover Letters
Only one opportunity to create a good first
impression- Perfect, Perfect, Perfect
Maximum of One Page…3-4 Short Paragraphs
No Pictures, Colored Paper—20 lb. Bond Paper
Express Interest in Job and Introduce Yourself
Briefly Summarize Your Training, Education and
Experience and How It Relates to this Position
Personalize the Letter…What is it about this
position school or district that makes you
interested?
4
Cover Letters
Opening Sentences and Other Guidelines—see
the handout.
Please find enclosed my application for the
position of principal of Lincoln Elementary School. I
have included all the required documents including
my resume, unofficial transcripts, certificates, and
letters of recommendation for your review.
I respectfully request that you consider this as my
application for the principal position at Lincoln
Elementary School. Please find attached a copy of
my current resume and other relevant documents for
your review.
5
Resumes
Consider your audience
Stack of Applications; Short Time Span
First Consideration—First Cut: Is this person legally qualified?
Concise, Easy to Read; Use phrases and incomplete sentences to
describe work experiences
Foreground Specific Duties, Experiences, That Demonstrate
Leadership, Productivity, Expertise
Limit the use of first person…”I”
Use Action Words
Length? Some say 1-2 pages…others… give me everything that is
relevant
1” Margins…
Perfect, Perfect, Perfect
6
Resume Categories
Heading
Career Objective…?
Personal Info and Certification
Education
Work Experience
Honors and Awards
References...Letters from….?
See sample resume on page 6-7
7
Preparing for the Interview
See the sample questions on page 2-3
of handout.
Do a simulated interview prior to the
actual event.
Read the introduction of DuFour’s
Creating the New American School.
Reread books…Current Issues
8
Preparing for the Interview
Website, Report Card, Illinois
Interactive Report Card,
Handbooks, School Improvement
Plan, Google School News
Call someone in the district that
you know regarding the Current
Issues
Review the Job Description
Interview Considerations
Dress Professionally
Shine shoes
Press clothes
No excessive piercings/cover tats
Go light on the perfume
Eliminate FaceBook & Other Social Media Sites
http://www.mindflash.com/blog/2011/08/social-screening-howcompanies-are-using-social-media-to-hire-fireemployees/?view=mindflashgraphic
10
Interview Considerations
Arrive early
Be yourself
Portfolio? Check ahead of time.
Listen carefully
Think and then answer the question
Be polite and courteous to everyone
11
Interview Considerations
The interview is not a time to be
self-effacing. Don’t be shy—you
are the best candidate for this job—
prove it.
If you make a mistake or fumble a
word, don’t dwell on it. Drive on.
When appropriate, demonstrate
that you have a sense of humor.
12
Themes for the Interview
You like kids.
You are teachable and eager to
learn.
You are a team player.
You are a positive person.
You understand the chain of
command.
13
Themes for the Interview
You appreciate the benefits of a
collaborative environment.
You understand the time commitments.
An administrator’s job is to support and
improve instruction.
You believe strongly in the importance
of public education and its role in a
democratic society.
14
Themes for the Interview
Be prepared to ask a question or two when you
are provided the opportunity.
What is your timeline?
Don’t ask about money.
Send a thank you note after the interview.
15
If you don’t get the job…
Send a note.
Remember that this was another
opportunity to hone your interview
skills.
Review your performance and make
plans to do better next time.
Stay positive!
16
You Get the Job Offer
Be prepared to provide a timely response.
What is timely?
Now it the time to discuss salary and
benefits.
http://www.championnews.net/?s=salaries
Salary; Health, Life, Mileage, 403b7; Board
Paid Retirement; Vacation; Personal Days;
Sick Leave
17
Single Year or Multi-Year Contract?
New administrators can get tenure via four
successful 1 year contracts
No tenure with Multi-Year
Teacher to Administrator--Retain tenure
with single year + seniority
Teacher to Administrator--retain tenure
with multi no seniority
18
Multi-Year Contract
School boards may hire school
administrators for a multiple year
period of up to five years.
Multiple year agreements must be
"performance-based linked to
student performance and academic
improvement of schools within the
district."
19
Multi-Year Contract
The law requires that "each
…contract shall include the
goals and indicators of student
performance and academic
improvement determined and
used by the local school board
to measure the performance
and effectiveness of the
superintendent and such other
information as the local school
board may determine.“
http://www.iasaedu.org/pages/u
ploaded_files/Document1.pdf
20
Once You Have the Job…
Dr. Morford: Send a planter/basket of goodies to the staff…
“I’m looking forward to working with you…”
Dr. Berg: Don’t send a planter
Make Arrangements with the Superintendent to visit the
school, begin preparations to hit the ground running, learn
more about the community
Be sure and finish your current job in a positive manner.
EDA 5630 four (4) month Leadership Plan
21
Once You Have the Job…
Do a good job, do a good job, do a good job
Learn Community’s and Your Boss’
Expectations
Be Firm, Fair and Consistent
Follow the Policies
Develop a Collaborative Relationship with
School Community
22
Questions????