Preparing for Interviews and Job Fairs
It's Time to Land Your Perfect Job in Education. How? Cheri Bradford Recruiting Specialist, Prince William County Public Schools, Virginia
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t’s time to find your perfect job in education. A great teacher is an asset to any school division, and finding the right place is the first step in being a great teacher! But where do you start? Here are some tips to ensure you land the right job in the right division. Do Your Research Not sure which division is where you belong? Start looking them up. There is so much information to find – everything is on the internet now – USE IT! You’ll be able to see the size of the division, their strategic plans, their philosophy on learning, their equity statements, and so forth. Get Noticed Crafting a resume can truly be an art form. It can also be a source of anxiety. What should I include? What should I leave out? Can I inject some of my personality, or should it be sterile and to-the-point? As the person in our division that sees every single resume that comes from recruiting events, I’ve seen them all, and I’ve seen some things that would make you shake your head and ask, “Why?” Here are some tips to ensure your resume gets all of your pertinent information to your potential employer: • It should go without saying, but make sure ALL of your contact information is front and center! You should include your name and any contact information needed to set up an interview. I’ve received resumes without phone numbers and/or email addresses, and even one or two with no name. If we can’t contact you, we can’t hire you! • Feel free to personalize it so “YOU” shine through but choose fonts and colors that are easy to read. You don’t have to stick to the classic font choices, but if the font gets too elaborate, it can sometimes be hard to read (L and 1 can be hard to differentiate as well as O and 0). Using a colored font is fine, but lighter colors can also be hard to read. • Check your email address. Email addresses are free, so, if necessary, create a new email just for your job search. The email pun that was funny or clever in high school and college just may not be professional. • Ditto for your voice mail. The outgoing message you recorded at midnight on Saturday may not put your best foot forward. • Include your education with any degrees you hold along with any certifications and/or endorsements. List any licenses you hold even if it’s for another state or expired. Our division hires based on eligibility, so even an expired or out-of-state license would qualify you for hire. • Proofread, proofread, proofread! And, then proofread again! Grammatical and spelling errors flash like beacons, and they send the message that you weren’t interested enough to take the time to fix them. After you proofread, have someone else check it for you. Fresh eyes never hurt! • Consider printing a copy of your resume to review – things that look good on the screen don’t always translate well to paper. Since you’ll likely be handing out paper copies at events, you don’t want to have to scramble at the last minute to fix something that didn’t print correctly.
52 American Association for Employment in Education
Make a Lasting Impression It’s time for your interview! Most of us get nervous at the thought of interviewing, but with the proper preparation, it’s a less daunting task. While some of us will never get rid of all the interview nerves, feeling like you’re ready will definitely help! • Dress professionally. • Solid colors and conservative cuts are always safe. If you’d like to inject some of your personality, consider doing so with accessories – a brightly colored necklace or tie can convey your lighter side. • Choose moderate heels/professional shoes. • Scale back the perfume/cologne. • Limit jewelry. • Have clean and neat hair and nails. • Remember – you don’t have to spend a fortune on clothing to be professional. If you’re just starting out, you can find “staple” pieces almost anywhere – discount stores, thrift stores, or even your friends’ closets! • Greet everyone in the room. Whether the interview is one-onone or a panel, address each person in the room with a firm handshake and eye contact. If you can use their names – bonus points! • Take printed copies of your resume with you. Chances are, they’ll already have it printed, but it shows you prepared ahead of time. Also, it’s not a good sign if they ask you for a copy, and you don’t have one! • Practice. It’s a good idea to have someone role play the interview with you. You can always search the internet for lists of possible interview questions. Have a friend interview you, so you can practice your answers. • Interview the interviewers. Remember that the interview isn’t just for them to see if you’d be a good fit– it’s also a chance to see if that school is right for you. Prepare a list of questions before you go, and when asked if you have questions, ask them! • Some topics you can ask about include: •
Salary scale
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Contract length
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Pay schedule – monthly, semi-monthly, weekly? Is it 10or 12-months?
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Benefits
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Class sizes
Looking for your perfect job doesn’t have to be an impossible task. With some planning and preparation, you’ll be well on your way to finding your “home” in education, and you can look forward to a fulfilling, satisfying career shaping the future!
