Job Search Strategies
For Teacher Candidates
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
617-552-3430
http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/
Four keys to job search
Have confidence in yourself.
Look for the best match:
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2.
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3.
4.
Your strengths, needs and wishes
WITH the school/district environment.
Mentoring, management, collaboration.
Set yourself apart.
Expand job search geographically.
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
What are they looking for?
Survey of nearly 150 school principals
Knowledgeable and up-to-date in the field
 Hard worker with a strong work ethic.
 Strong interpersonal skills
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– Caring, tactful, sense of humor, self-reflective.
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
What are they looking for?
Survey, continued
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Student versus self-focused:
– Unwavering belief that all children can learn;
– Truly respect and enjoy children.
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Skilled communicator with adults & children.
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
What else are they looking for?
Anecdotally, from administrators
Maturity.
 Make sure that school makes annual progress high-stakes testing.
 Experience with inclusion classroom;
classroom management; parents; collaboration.
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
How do you apply?
Usually to district, via website or snail mail.
 Websites - home grown (e.g. Boston) or via a
commercial site (SchoolSpring).
 Usually resume, cover letter, transcript(s), 3
recommendations.
 Can apply even if no current opening.
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Resume, cover letters set you apart
Resume – your unique experiences as a teacher.
 Cover letter that:
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– Shows you’ve researched district and school - why
do you want to work there?
– Highlights 2-3 key strengths, with examples.
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Personal contact sets you apart –
those you already know
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Choosing practicums – will district likely have
openings when you graduate?
Enhance your chances – do practicums in more
than one district.
Have principal observe you.
Ask cooperating teachers for people to do
informational interviews with.
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Personal contact sets you apart –
networking & informational interviewing
Networking = meeting with professionals,
interviewing them about their career experiences.
 Ask any question except “Can I have a job?”
 TWO things to accomplish – gather information;
establish rapport (so they can comfortably
recommend you to other people)
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Personal contact sets you apart networking & informational interviewing
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Face-to-face or phone is best.
Use email only for setting up meetings.
Mention these conversations in cover letter or
follow-up letter.
Tell everyone you know that you’re job hunting.
Send thank you notes, AND keep your contacts
up to date on your search.
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
BC Alumni Career Network
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Networking overview, sample questions
http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/careers/networking.html
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Student access to database is through AGORA
– click on Career Services, then Alumni Career Network
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Alumni access through
http://www.bc.edu/alumni/association/community.html
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Search on industry and state only
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Personal contact sets you apart –
job fairs
4 keys to succeeding at job fairs:
1. Research the districts, have specific questions.
2. Be ready to talk about your strengths as a teacher
- examples of each strength.
3. Start with a district that you’re less interested in.
4. Send thank you notes.
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Personal contact sets you apart –
job fairs
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For job fair listings
http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/events/soe.html
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To identify out-of-state job fairs, use Google
search: “teacher job fair georgia” – no
quotation marks
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Personal contact sets you apart –
school visits
School visits: Drop-in, to find out about
vacancies before posted and to get sense of the
school.
OR
 School visits - Call to set up informational
interview with someone who has hiring power.
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Other ways to set yourself apart
Done something unusual? Bring that to light.
 Send separate cover letter and resume to
principals.
 Research and preparation for interviews.
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– Research school & district
– Practice interview, Career Center – 617-552-3430
– Attend a Teacher Interview Workshop and look at
our online materials
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Be willing to expand search
geographically
Boston-area job market very competitive.
 Many good districts within commute of BC.
 Good site to identify districts:
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– http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search/map.aspx
Ask networking contacts for good districts.
 Consider moving to another region OR
teaching in an urban or rural area.
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Teacher supply and demand
Nationally, surplus of teachers ONLY in
elementary (primary), social studies, PE.
 Large variations between regions.
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– SE, SW, some Rockies states have shortages
Large variations within regions.
 AAEE “Job Search Handbook for Educators”
has complete data on regions.
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Wash your Facebook
Some employers WILL look at your page.
 No photos of or references to drug or alcohol
use; no physically revealing photos.
 Clean up your page AND photos of you on
friends’ pages.
 Be careful what you write.
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Timing
Start looking Feb; many jobs open May-Aug.
 Some openings early fall and mid-year.
 Teacher Job Search Timeline:
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– http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/metaelements/pdf/teachertimeline.pdf
Applied, haven’t heard by July, call.
 Substituting, especially “long-term,” a plus.
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
$$$
Don’t ask about $$ or
benefits in interview.
 Salary is usually nonnegotiable.
 Salary “schedule” available on district
website or by request.
 AAEE Handbook - starting, average, and
highest salaries for cities and states.
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Sources of job openings
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BostonWorks.com (Boston Globe)
– http://bostonworks.boston.com/browse/jobs/
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Campus recruiting through EagleLink.
– Resume Books online – starting in May
– http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/jobs/recruiting.html
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Check individual districts’ web sites
– http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search/map.aspx
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More job links at:
– http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/resourcesfor/soeresources/
search.htm
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Job openings – charter schools
Mission-driven.
 Greater freedom to set school’s goals, create
curriculum.
 Often offer strong mentoring of new teachers.
 Salary generally same as the local district.
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http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/resourcesfor
/soeresources/charter.html
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Job openings –
independent schools
Much earlier schedule – apply Jan/Feb.
 Use teacher placement agencies.
 Buy Everyone's Guide to Job Searching in
Private Schools by Laurence B. Boggess
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http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/careers/careerfields
/edprivate.html
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Summary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Have confidence in yourself.
Articulate – for yourself – what you want
from your first teaching job.
Set yourself apart through personal contact
and targeted job search documents.
Expand your search geographically.
Ask for help.
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Career Center Services
38 Commonwealth Ave, - 617-552-3430
(just up the street from St. Ignatius Church)
http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/
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Drop-In Question Hours, in Career Center:
– Mon-Fri, 1:00-4:00 PM; Tues/Wed, 5:00-7:30 PM
Drop-In Question Hours, Campion (call for hours)
 Appointments with a Career Advisor
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B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R
Services, cont’d
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Events & workshops for education students http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/events/soe.html
Resume and cover letter critiques; practice interviews;
job search advice; career counseling
 All our public school teaching pages:
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http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/resourcesfor/soeresources.html
B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E R