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 Search Strategies For Teacher Candidates 617-552-3430

B O S T O N C O L L E G E C A R E E R C E N T E RB 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 Search Strategies Job Search Strategies For Teacher Candidates For Teacher Candidates

617-552-3430 http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/


Four keys to job searchFour keys to job search

1. Have confidence in yourself.2. Look for the best match:

• Your strengths, needs and wishes WITH the school/district environment.

• Mentoring, management, collaboration.

3. Set yourself apart.4. Expand job search geographically.


What are they looking for?What are they looking for? Survey of nearly 150 school principalsSurvey 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.


What are they looking for?What are they looking for? Survey, continuedSurvey, continued

Student versus self-focused: – Unwavering belief that all children can learn;– Truly respect and enjoy children.

Skilled communicator with adults & children.


What else are they looking for?What else are they looking for?Anecdotally, from administratorsAnecdotally, from administrators

Maturity. Make sure that school makes annual progress -

high-stakes testing. Experience with inclusion classroom;

classroom management; parents; collaboration.


How do you apply?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.


Resume, cover letters set you apartResume, 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.


Personal contact sets you apart – Personal contact sets you apart – those you already knowthose 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.


Personal contact sets you apart – Personal contact sets you apart – networking & informational interviewingnetworking & 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)


Personal contact sets you apart - Personal contact sets you apart - networking & informational interviewingnetworking & 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.


BC Alumni Career NetworkBC 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


Personal contact sets you apart – Personal contact sets you apart – job fairsjob 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.


Personal contact sets you apart – Personal contact sets you apart – job fairsjob fairs

For job fair listingshttp://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


Personal contact sets you apart – Personal contact sets you apart – school visitsschool 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.


Other ways to set yourself apartOther 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


Be willing to expand search Be willing to expand search geographicallygeographically

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.


Teacher supply and demandTeacher 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.


Wash your FacebookWash 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.


TimingTiming

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/meta-elements/pdf/teachertimeline.pdf

Applied, haven’t heard by July, call. Substituting, especially “long-term,” a plus.


$$$$$$ Don’t ask about $$ or

benefits in interview. Salary is usually non-

negotiable. Salary “schedule” available on district

website or by request. AAEE Handbook - starting, average, and

highest salaries for cities and states.


Sources of job openingsSources 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


Job openings – charter schoolsJob 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


Job openings – Job openings – independent schoolsindependent 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


SummarySummary

1. Have confidence in yourself.2. Articulate – for yourself – what you want

from your first teaching job.3. Set yourself apart through personal contact

and targeted job search documents.4. Expand your search geographically.5. Ask for help.


Career Center ServicesCareer Center Services 38 Commonwealth Ave, - 617-552-3430 38 Commonwealth Ave, - 617-552-3430

((just up the street from St. Ignatius Church)just up the street from St. Ignatius Church)

http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/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


Services, cont’dServices, 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

Documents

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 Search Strategies For Teacher Candidates 617-552-3430