Applying for jobs

Discussion in 'Job Hunting & Interviews' started by Beth2004, Feb 23, 2006.

  1. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    Feb 23, 2006

    I've been sending out resume packets to different school districts lately. Most places don't have many postings for next year yet, but I've been sending them anyway. I got a letter in the mail today from one district that I sent my information to and it says that the letter is acknowledging my application for a 3rd grade position. I didn't even realize that there was an opening, but apparently there is! I'm pretty happy about that. Who knows if I'll even be interviewed, but at least I know I'm being considered for a specific position. How are things going for everyone else?
     
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  3. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    I've decided that I'm going to send a resume and cover letter directly to the principal of the school where the opening is. She'll probably get copies of all the applications that were sent to the superintendent's office, it can't hurt for me to send one directly to her.
    I worked really hard sending things out last year trying to find a job for this school year, but I've decided that this year I'm going to work 10x harder. :)
     
  4. JaimeMarie

    JaimeMarie Moderator

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    Feb 23, 2006

    Good job! I can't even bring myself to start. It's because I want to put I'm highly qualified and I am still waiting on the letter from one of the schools that I tutored at. BLAH
     
  5. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    I saw an ad in the paper today for a job recruitment fair in the district where I student taught. It says that they're anticipating 100 openings for next school year! We'll see if it's really that many, but the ad says that they want to appoint people to these positions early....probably because they were still doing hiring right into September last year! It's on the 18th of this month so I will definitely be there handing out my resume.
     
  6. Lesley

    Lesley Habitué

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    Mar 3, 2006

    Good for you, If you don't promote yourself no one else will. Keep at it, it will pay off. I am working at going back to teaching. Just finished my two courses needed to renew my license, then there was an article in the paper that there could be 300 teachers laid off from one school district in May so there will be a lot of competition.
     
  7. jaimed

    jaimed Rookie

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    Mar 3, 2006

    I know what you mean. Last year I sent out over 80 resumes. This year I will do the same. I hope my 3 LTS jobs help! Last year I had interviews but not enough experience. This year I have been in three different LTS positions. Good Luck!
     
  8. JaimeMarie

    JaimeMarie Moderator

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    Jaime I did the same last yr. I sent out around 85ish. I lost count.
    I haven't LTS. I needed insurance so I am an ed tech (para). This is my fourth yr as a para. I am ready for my own class.

    Beth good luck. Maybe I should come down and go with you. Since it is on a Saturday. I wonder if I could even get a job in Mass, with out taking the tests down there.
     
  9. wdwteach

    wdwteach Cohort

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    Mar 3, 2006

    It is so hard to put yourself out there again. It is me again JaimeM. I still have not gotten my stuff together to apply for my transfer. I have 2 weeks left to get it in.
    But I heard that I may not even have a formal interview. Some principals here do very informal interviews with transfer applicants. I just can't seem to settle down long enough to do it.
     
  10. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    Mar 6, 2006

    As of today I've sent out 20 resumes for positions for next school year. How's everyone else doing with the job search?
     
  11. Lesley

    Lesley Habitué

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    Mar 6, 2006

    Good for you. We have had only one posting for positions in this area for 06-07. I have apps completed and resumes on file, but I search the school district web sites daily for new postings-nerve wracking. Summer school postings are just starting to get online around here.
     
  12. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    I also search the websites daily. I agree, it is so nerve wracking. It's almost become and obsession with me! haha
    Of the 20 resumes that I've sent out 15 of them have been for posted positions (14 of them in one district) but the other 5 have just been sent out to districts that don't have anything posted yet.
     
  13. Lesley

    Lesley Habitué

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    Oh, definite obsession, just incase something was added since I last checked, (oh like an hour or two ago) ! ;)
     
  14. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    You're not alone on that one! I check constantly. I'm absolutely determined to have a position for next school year!
     
  15. JaimeMarie

    JaimeMarie Moderator

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    Mar 6, 2006

    Beth,
    I am very tempted to come down and go to the job fair with you.
     
  16. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    If you decide to, let me know. You're more than welcome to come with me.
     
  17. clarnet73

    clarnet73 Moderator

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    I was looking forward to not having to do applications this year but...

    no such luck.

    it's back to the drawing board. Applying is hard work.
     
  18. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    I'm such a dummy!

    I was looking at the district website yesterday at all the openings I applied to the other day. When I sent out the 13 letters and resumes I addressed them to the director of HR, which is where I thought it was supposed to go. When I looked yesterday, though, i realized it says to address any questions to the director of HR and then way below that it says to send letters of intent and resumes to the superintendent. I felt like such an idiot. I sat for a while trying to decide what to do because I know that he is one of the people that will be reading them anyway, but I decided to email the director of HR to let him know the mistake. The email when something like this:

    I recently sent several letters of application to the ****** public schools. In my excitement about the position and my eagerness to send the letters out as soon as possible I addressed the letters to you. I now realize that I should have addressed them to Dr. *****. I would greatly appreciate it if you could please forward them to him if that is indeed where they are supposed to go. I am very sorry for any inconvenience that this has caused.

    I got an email back from him today that said, "You're all set, Bethany" so now I'm pretty glad that I sent the email. Not only did I let them know that I was sorry for the mistake, but there's a good chance he'll remember my name now...hopefully in a good way. :)
     
  19. Lesley

    Lesley Habitué

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    Mar 7, 2006

    See, things happen for a reason!!!! Good Luck
     
  20. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    I'm just really keeping my fingers crossed about these positions!
     
  21. JaimeMarie

    JaimeMarie Moderator

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    Mar 7, 2006

    Oh I hate when that happens. I am always worried I am going to mix them up and send them to the wrong districts. I started working on them tonight. I have one packet completed. My problem was I wanted to send it to work with Steve's mom tomorrow. She works at the school.
    Good luck I hope you get a job!
     
  22. MissFrizzle

    MissFrizzle Virtuoso

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    Mar 10, 2006

    I had my resume professionally done, and guess what... no paper resumes are being accepted. Most is online applications.. go figure.
     
  23. Pecas

    Pecas Companion

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    Good Luck Beth2004! I only wish my area had as many "supposed" open positions as you. 100?? Wow. I got a letter back last year that said "thank you for your interest in the ***school district. After carefull consideration we had to select the top thirty candidates from nearly 300 applicants..." of course, being fresh out of college, I was not one of them....but 300 applicants for 2 stinking positions!?!? I will never get anywhere!!!! :(
     
  24. wdwteach

    wdwteach Cohort

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    Mar 10, 2006

    I am amazed at how many applicants there are for each job. You must have too many colleges turning out new teachers every year. I live in a University town and we still have job openings every year.
     
  25. JaimeMarie

    JaimeMarie Moderator

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    Mar 11, 2006

    That stinks but dont' forget when you go into the interviews you should always have at least five copies of your resume with you. So everyone at the interview can have one.
     
  26. Pecas

    Pecas Companion

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    Mar 11, 2006

    Well, I am stuck in the are where I graduated, and I graduated from a huge teacher college in Minnesota...not a huge job market in MN anymore for teachers. But the problem is my college is located in near a bunch of really small school districts, so they don't need a lot of teachers.

    My husband got a great job down here, so I was kind of forced to look here as well. We are really trying hard to get out of here, and move up to the twin cities where the job market is a little less competitive, but is still pretty tough. Hopefully my year of experience (though it was only a half-day gig) will be enough to keep me on the top of the list.

    Then again, it's (sometimes unfairly) not what you know, but who you know.
     
  27. Pecas

    Pecas Companion

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    Our University is located in a small town surrounded by rural school districts. Problem is, the University is known for it's education program, so a lot of teachers come here.

    My husband had gotten a great job here in town so I had to find a job down here, and it really wasn't easy. We are both looking to get out of here and move up to the Twin Cities-Bigger/better jobs for him and a lot more opportunity for me. It will still be competitive, but hopefully there will be more openings!! :)
     
  28. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    That's the way it is everywhere, though. I was told by a principal last year that he could fill a large cardboard box with just the resumes for people applying to one elementary school position. It's awful. It just so happens that this one district has a lot of people retiring this year. Now, out of those 100 positions quite a few of them are high school, middle school, SPED and specialist positions that I can't apply for, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an elementary position. I'm sure those are going to be the ones getting the most applicants, though.
     
  29. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    Mar 13, 2006

    Well, the applying for jobs is getting into full swing. I'm going to a job fair in the district with all the vacancies next Saturday and I just found out this morning that the college I graduated from is having their annual teacher job fair this afternoon. There are going to be representatives from 25 districts there. I'm thinking of going. I just don't know if it's worth the 45 minute drive because I've already sent resumes to all of the districts that I would talk to there. Also, one of the districts is the one having their own job fair next weekend and another is the one that I work for as a long-term sub and they definitely already know I'm interested. Anyway, I'm still trying to decide if it's worth the drive, but things are definitely in full swing!
     
  30. Lesley

    Lesley Habitué

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    Mar 13, 2006

    Great! It is worth the drive you get a job! I understand your thinking, but you are the only one who can sell yourself to the districts.
     
  31. Miss W

    Miss W Phenom

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    Mar 13, 2006

    It's worth the drive to get you're face in their mind! You could tell them that you already sent in your packet and had a few questions. Then go with some questions. Those are always good to have for districts. It shows them you're really interested in them.
     
  32. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    Well, I did end up going. I spoke with someone from the district where I'm working now as a sub and and I spoke with a few people from the district where I student taught (the one with all the openings). I spoke with the principal from the school where i student taught and apparently she's got an opening in 5th grade at her school. I'm going to speak with her again on Saturday at their job fair so hopefully something will come of that. I'd LOVE to work there!
     
  33. JaimeMarie

    JaimeMarie Moderator

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    Crossing my fingers for you. I wish I student taught in a school.
     
  34. Lesley

    Lesley Habitué

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    Mar 13, 2006

    See, it was good that you went!
     
  35. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    It definitely was good that I went! :) The principals at the district with all the openings were practically jumping on people asking for resumes so I'm really looking forward to speaking with them more at their job fair on Saturday.
     
  36. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    What type of setting did you student teach in?
    At my college we were required to student teach in a public school.
     
  37. JaimeMarie

    JaimeMarie Moderator

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    I would have loved to be in public. But the unversity placed me for the full semester at the Learning Center on campus. It has a kindergarten classroom. The director was wonderful. I learned a lot from her. but I didn't learn the ropes of a normal school. I have since then because of being a para for four yrs.
     
  38. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    That really stinks, Jaime. I'm glad you've had the opportunity to learn the ropes in a public school, though.
     
  39. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    So how is the job search going for everyone else? Have you found any openings for next year to apply to?
     
  40. Lesley

    Lesley Habitué

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    Mar 14, 2006

    One district has three openings posted, sent all the papers they require. Each principal wants different items. One wants transcripts, licenses, placement file, references and resume the other wants resume, references, license---same district different principals. This stuff just drives me crazy! Besides camping out on their doorstep, I wish there were a way to stand out amongst the 100 or so who will apply.
     
  41. Beth2004

    Beth2004 Maven

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    Want to hear something funny? Today I looked at that district's website and it has been changed. Not only does it request that people send the separate letters of intent and resumes all in one envelope (which I did and was unsure of doing at the time) but it also now says to address the letters to the director of HR....so I was right all along! Maybe they decided to change it because of me.... ;)
     

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