Post by Teacher Express on Jul 17, 2015 11:31:15 GMT -5
As an Education Job Coach for Teacher Express, I am often asked, "What are Districts Looking For?" It's a great question, and every applicant needs to know the answer!
School districts invest much time selecting individuals for teaching positions. What do they look for?
These are very common questions asked by applicants for teaching positions, especially those who have not yet been invited to participate in interviews. Sometimes, applicants submit dozens of applications that are screened out before the process even gets started. Or, so it seems.
This is a very competitive field, and it has been for decades. As long as I can remember, there have been more graduates with certificates than job vacancies. Even when I first began, I typed 66 applications my first summer after graduation and I was invited to three interviews! I felt lucky to get that many!
If you are not getting interviews, do not take it personally. Its not you - its your application materials. The school district officials probably do not know who you are, but they react to what they SEE (and do not see) in your cover letter and resume. They have very clear objectives they are trying to achieve, and that leads them to focus on their search for certain academic, experiential, professional and social characteristics that they believe may combine in an individual to be a great match for the position they need to fill.
That said, you are encouraged to be critical of your application documents. What DO they communicate? How well do they describe you? Do they create memorable talking points about your potential working for them?
Although every district seeks to achieve its priority goals, and those goals vary, generally speaking, individuals who are selected for positions often share similar qualities.
How do school districts select individuals for teaching positions? What are they looking for?
These are very common questions asked by applicants for teaching positions, especially those who have not yet been invited to participate in interviews. Sometimes, applicants submit dozens of applications that are screened out before the process even gets started. Or, so it seems.
Listen, this is a very competitive field, and it has been for decades. As long as I can remember, there have been more graduates with certificates than job vacancies. Even when I first began, I typed 66 applications my first summer after graduation and I was invited to three interviews! I felt lucky to get that many!
If you are not getting interviews, do not take it personally. Its not you - its your application materials. The school district officials probably do not know who you are, but they react to what they SEE (and do not see) in your cover letter and resume. They have very clear objectives they are trying to achieve, and that leads them to focus on their search for certain academic, experiential, professional and social characteristics that they believe may combine in an individual to be a great match for the position they need to fill.
That said, you are encouraged to be critical of your application documents. What DO they communicate? How well do they describe you? Would they pass the "10-Second Test?" (Please read my post, Applying Online, for an explanation). Although every district seeks to achieve its priority goals, and those goals vary, generally speaking, individuals who are selected for positions often share similar qualities.
Valued Applicant Traits:
Bright and capable of learning new responsibilities quickly
Friendly and sociable; interesting and enjoys the company of others
Communicates well (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
Sincerely interested in young people (record of participation proves it)
Projects a promise for personal responsibility and commitment
Demonstrates understanding and consistent use of best practices
Impressive academic and/or experiential training in the subject or field
Promises to be a loyal and contributing team member
Great harmony between individual and district values, goals, and mission
Deeply committed to excellence; high expectations of self and others
Accepts responsibility for student success and growth
Advocates and promotes students’ self-worth and dignity
Do you have each of these qualities? Next question - how well do your application documents COMMUNICATE these qualities to the selection committee?
If your resume effectively presents your best qualities, then you'll get interviews. If not, you won't. Your cover letter and your resume must speak for you when you are not in the room and they must convey the WOW factor quickly. If you are not getting the results you deserve, then your documents must be revised.
Teacher Express will do that for you! For more details or to plan your application strategy, call the Coach or visit Teacher-Express.com today! As always, questions and comments are welcome.
Be Discovered. Be Needed. Be Hired.
School districts invest much time selecting individuals for teaching positions. What do they look for?
These are very common questions asked by applicants for teaching positions, especially those who have not yet been invited to participate in interviews. Sometimes, applicants submit dozens of applications that are screened out before the process even gets started. Or, so it seems.
This is a very competitive field, and it has been for decades. As long as I can remember, there have been more graduates with certificates than job vacancies. Even when I first began, I typed 66 applications my first summer after graduation and I was invited to three interviews! I felt lucky to get that many!
If you are not getting interviews, do not take it personally. Its not you - its your application materials. The school district officials probably do not know who you are, but they react to what they SEE (and do not see) in your cover letter and resume. They have very clear objectives they are trying to achieve, and that leads them to focus on their search for certain academic, experiential, professional and social characteristics that they believe may combine in an individual to be a great match for the position they need to fill.
That said, you are encouraged to be critical of your application documents. What DO they communicate? How well do they describe you? Do they create memorable talking points about your potential working for them?
Although every district seeks to achieve its priority goals, and those goals vary, generally speaking, individuals who are selected for positions often share similar qualities.
How do school districts select individuals for teaching positions? What are they looking for?
These are very common questions asked by applicants for teaching positions, especially those who have not yet been invited to participate in interviews. Sometimes, applicants submit dozens of applications that are screened out before the process even gets started. Or, so it seems.
Listen, this is a very competitive field, and it has been for decades. As long as I can remember, there have been more graduates with certificates than job vacancies. Even when I first began, I typed 66 applications my first summer after graduation and I was invited to three interviews! I felt lucky to get that many!
If you are not getting interviews, do not take it personally. Its not you - its your application materials. The school district officials probably do not know who you are, but they react to what they SEE (and do not see) in your cover letter and resume. They have very clear objectives they are trying to achieve, and that leads them to focus on their search for certain academic, experiential, professional and social characteristics that they believe may combine in an individual to be a great match for the position they need to fill.
That said, you are encouraged to be critical of your application documents. What DO they communicate? How well do they describe you? Would they pass the "10-Second Test?" (Please read my post, Applying Online, for an explanation). Although every district seeks to achieve its priority goals, and those goals vary, generally speaking, individuals who are selected for positions often share similar qualities.
Valued Applicant Traits:
Bright and capable of learning new responsibilities quickly
Friendly and sociable; interesting and enjoys the company of others
Communicates well (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
Sincerely interested in young people (record of participation proves it)
Projects a promise for personal responsibility and commitment
Demonstrates understanding and consistent use of best practices
Impressive academic and/or experiential training in the subject or field
Promises to be a loyal and contributing team member
Great harmony between individual and district values, goals, and mission
Deeply committed to excellence; high expectations of self and others
Accepts responsibility for student success and growth
Advocates and promotes students’ self-worth and dignity
Do you have each of these qualities? Next question - how well do your application documents COMMUNICATE these qualities to the selection committee?
If your resume effectively presents your best qualities, then you'll get interviews. If not, you won't. Your cover letter and your resume must speak for you when you are not in the room and they must convey the WOW factor quickly. If you are not getting the results you deserve, then your documents must be revised.
Teacher Express will do that for you! For more details or to plan your application strategy, call the Coach or visit Teacher-Express.com today! As always, questions and comments are welcome.
Be Discovered. Be Needed. Be Hired.