I am getting my secondary mathematics certificate. My friend is a student teacher in a district here in NY and got really lucky and had an interview. Guess what the first thing they told her? "We received 1,700 resumes for this position and we are interviewing 6." How can anyone get a job in this market? It's absolutely crazy, especially in a subject that used to once be a shortage: mathematics. It's not anymore, though - even our professors are admitting that it's not really a shortage anymore. What are we supposed to do to differentiate ourselves from the other 1,699 resumes???? Send a single resume in a huge 4 feet by 4 feet by 4feet box?
WEll, for starters, if there is any sort of "soft" job market, it's secondary math. Of course, that's still relative, but math and Physics are among the few bright spots. Opps, gotta get Brian into bed, be right back. OK, here I am Now, the fact that they got all those resumes does NOT mean that all those applicants are remotely qualified. There are so many people out of work-- I think lots of people are applying for every opening they can imagine, particularly if they sense a "shortage area." But to answer your question: how do you set yourself apart from the pack? For starters, you make sure that both your resume and cover letter are totally error free. That you've spelled the Superintendent's name right, the name of the district/school right, the date is right, the zip code is right--everything. Your cover letter contains no sentence fragments, no typos, is signed in ink... you get my drift. That one step, tedious though it may be, will separate you from a LOT of other applicants. Scary, isn't it?? I think the REAL secret to setting yourself apart is a killer cover letter. Realistically, the overwhelming majority of new teachers are entering the job market with the same basic resume. So what sets you apart is a cover letter that leaves the reader thinking "Now THIS is a young teacher I would like to meet." I think your cover letter should ignore the trend of cramming as many buzzwords as possible into a paragraph. Instead, I would love a hint of what kind of teacher you are-- a line or two about a particular success you had with a child you touched along the way. I think that personal touch is the key to setting yourself apart. If you can put on a suit and hand deliver it so much the better! Even if you don't get in to see the "big cheese" him/herself, you can be "that nice young teacher who dropped off an application. " Don't underestimate the value of those words spoken by the secretary-- that secretary didn't get into such an important position by exhibiting BAD judgement. Anyway, hang in there.
I often find the job goes to the person in the right place and the right time that says all the right buzz words. I know that was true of a few of the persons we hired this year.
Also, you might want to think about creating a brochure, digitalizing your portfolio, creating a website with your information, etc. Something that shows you are technologically saavy, and probably sets you a part from other applicants. Just a thought.
Tami is right. I got my current position because the HR person was impressed by my websites and held on to my resume for over a year, waiting for the right position for me. You just never know!
Alice- I have a question. I still have a little while before I will type my cover letter and look for jobs, but I often see you refer to making your cover letter unique and let your own personality shine through. Do you have any examples or ways that we can do that? I'm always looking for tips, and figured you were the right one to ask about cover letters!
Everyone above is right. Don't let the numbers discourage you. I was told, "I have over 600 applications for your position alone" and yet I got the job. How did that happen? I still wonder! You will get that job that you are meant to have!
I think the cover letter is a HUGE opportunity to let the reader get to know YOU. We all know that identical qualifications do NOT equal identical teaching ability. The cover letter clues the reader in to some of those differences. So I hate letters that go on and on about multiple intelligences and differentiating instruction. Yeah, yeah, we all know you took the education courses. Instead, tell me about Johnny who finally learned to ____. Or about Susie's mom, who sent you an email about the difference you made in her daughter's attitude. Or about the little league team you coached that never actually won a game, but won the sportsmanship award. Anything that speaks to dedication and/or results. Does that make sense??
That is great advice, Alice. I also need to begin writing my cover letter and was wondering how to make mine "stand out". I'm behind on the application process because, ironically, I've been incredibly busy since receiving my license. Looking back over the calendar, I think I only had 4 days in March that I didn't work in the school systems or the hotel (or both). I've seen several suggestions for creating a web page. That is a great idea. As some of you might remember, I've considered creating an FB "school page" in the past, but after looking into the situation more carefully, I've decided against that. I know our district looks at the FB pages of staff and applicants and I think it is just too big a risk to create a new one specifically geared towards interaction with parents and students. I would certainly like to learn more from anyone with links, suggestions, tips or advice for creating a web page. As for making myself stand out, I am looking into WBT. I don't know any teachers in our district that use this approach, so it would be something "fresh" I could bring to an interview. This style also seems to suit my personality very well, in addition to being very effective at keeping the students engaged and involved in the class. In addition to reviewing videos and information on the web, I am making plans to observe PowerTeach in his classroom to see WBT in action. His school is about a 2-hour drive for me, but it the trip will be worth it to see WBT being applied in person.
What is WBT? Check out weebly.com for making an online portfolio....I found it VERY user friendly! I just have to finish scanning things in from my regular portfolio and I will be good to go.
I learned a lot about how to sell myself when I went through National Boards. So here is my tips: 1. Avoid...I believe, I think...we hope you believe it or think it, you are writing it. 2. Spell check is not enough! Spell check doesn't find common errors. 3. Size matters--don't use a silly font or font size. A page is long enough. Even the best principals only have a few minutes to scan a cover letter. So make it short and to the point. 4. If you attended a special workshop, speak a different language, coach a little league team, or anything else that makes you different...flaunt it! 5. Don't try to be cute with graphics or other items on the cover letter or resume. Save that space for important items. 6. Be positive. The teachers that I see being hired are positive that they can contribute to my school. Ask questions and look for ways that you can help them.
Yes. Check out Wholebrainteaching.com Everything on there is free you just need to sign up for the site. I am currently in the middle of a 6 week seminar with the creator of WBT and it has been really good! Everything is simple and straight forward but also makes a lot of sense!
If you have an questions on WBT feel free to ask. i have been using it for three years, and am an instructor for the method. i would be glad to help anyone who wants get started.
