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: 1. 2. • • 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 – 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 Student versus self-focused: – Unwavering belief that all children can learn; – Truly respect and enjoy children. 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. 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. 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: – 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 • • • • 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) 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 • • • • • 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 Networking overview, sample questions http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/careers/networking.html Student access to database is through AGORA – click on Career Services, then Alumni Career Network Alumni access through http://www.bc.edu/alumni/association/community.html 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 For job fair listings http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/events/soe.html 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. 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. – 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: – 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. 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. – SE, SW, some Rockies states have shortages Large variations within regions. AAEE “Job Search Handbook for Educators” has complete data on regions. 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. 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: – http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/metaelements/pdf/teachertimeline.pdf Applied, haven’t heard by July, call. Substituting, especially “long-term,” a plus. 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. 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 BostonWorks.com (Boston Globe) – http://bostonworks.boston.com/browse/jobs/ Campus recruiting through EagleLink. – Resume Books online – starting in May – http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/jobs/recruiting.html Check individual districts’ web sites – http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search/map.aspx 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. 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 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/ 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 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 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: 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