Teaching jobs here are so very hard to find, many of us are lucky to get an interview. It is a political and flooded market. So, I have been applying for jobs in other fields and have pretty much convinced myself that I will not be teaching. Hard to do, but I am at the point where I feel like I am never going to move forward. Well, today, a Saturday, I get a phone call from a school that I had applied to about 5 or 6 months ago. They have another opening and have gotten hundreds of resumes, as usual. They will be interviewing one day only next week. Is that a bad sign, they seem very very on top of things, but I am so jaded now that I have become too cautious. I am their first interview of the day. I spoke with the woman for 20 minutes and she was so nice and answered my questions. It is a permanent job that will be a bit of a drive, but not a bad one. My friend tells me the school is a good one. And the students are exactly the population in which I have previous experience. That is only why she called me, she told me that point blank. (My job as a TA was a bit unusual, my students had severe behavioral problems, not the normal school at all). So, as I said I am jaded. I am so glad to have been called. GRATEFUL. This is an ideal opportunity for me. But, I do not have the excitement and hope I had before. NOT that I will be "blah" in the interview, I intend to give it my all as always. So, I need some moral support and some words of wisdom. Also, one of my best references just left for a 2 week vacation out of the country, she is unreachable, unless for emergencies. So, should I bring a new reference sheet with me-I have another person I can add, but not a strong reference.). Timing is not my best friend. Thanks for listening and wish me luck. I do not even need to prepare, I am so ready. I just lost some of that "oomph." (Maybe it is because I have been feeling lousy lately?)
This is great news!!!! As to the pep talk: You, the entire forum, and I know you CAN do this job. The fact that you got the call at all is a great sign. I'm guessing that your background is a huge asset-- others can talk a good game, but you have the experience to back up what you say. Of course, hit the interview thread. Read each question, write a quick response, then guage it against what others have posted. Do your homework on the school, its population, any current trends in your area, the works. Hot, hazy and humid or not, get that interview suit dry cleaned. (Nope, in this part of the country, there are NO other options.) None of that will get you the job. YOU selling YOU will get you the job. So go in and do that. As to the reference: I would leave matters as they are. Give her phone number, along with the date when she'll be back home. Two weeks is not an unreasonable wait in the summertime. And drink some OJ and feel better. How else can we help??
I may not be the best to give a pep talk as I know EXACTLY how you feel...feeling like you have been knocked down after each interview or not even getting the chance to interview. Sure takes away some of the confidence. All I can say is do the best you can. You can win that job! Be enthusiastic about teaching and what you can bring to their school. You CAN do it! Hey, maybe I should listen to my own advice!
Absolutely!!! NO ONE is going to give a job to a lukewarm candidate. You need to believe that you are the best candidate for the job if you have any shot at convincing anyone else of that. And I'm starting to believe that all teachers should take a mandatory marketing course, so they'll be able to find jobs. YOU KNOW that you'll be a great teacher, right??? Then you NEED NEED NEED to convince others of that fact if you want the chance to be one.
You are right. I need a kick in the butt! I am tired of feeling like everything is wrong in my life. I am tired of the bad stuff that has happened. Some of it I have no control of but I do have control of doing well at the interview. I know I'm a good Sped teacher. I have been told by teachers, students and parents that I do a good job. Thank you for the scolding. I really did need it.
Hooray!! Congratuations on the interview! You are the best person for the job - keep your chin up and hope for the best! Try to get out of that "jaded" funk (I know its hard!) and go in there confidently!
THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!! I have a suit, I do not like them, I feel uncomfortable, but I will grin and bear it. I do have a beautiful skirt and sweater set with a matching scarf for my neck and I may go with that-it is very pretty. I have a slight connection, very very much so, as far as being a teensy one, but it may help. I also got some info. on their curriculum and since I chatted with the woman for awhile, I know exactly what the class is like. I think my problem is actually the fact that I had such a nasty/wrong/sad interview the last time...it really gave me a glimpse into how mean people can be....so I need to put that away. I also have been feeling lousy (stress caused, I am sure) and I am dealing with some family issues, which is a whole other topic. So, I needed to get myself in gear. Three of my references are solid and in the country, the one in Europe did write me a letter so I will refer to that. I think that will be ok... I have a strong feeling that they are going to be hiring quickly. I got the impression that someone resigned and is not coming back next year, and it surprised them. I will be meeting with 5-6 people. I am the first interview, I imagine there will be about 3 or 4 other candidates (one day only). I think I am as ready as I can be. After that last fiasco, nothing can be as horrible.... THANK YOU AGAIN. Alice, I am forgoing the oj and opting for blueberry iced tea. Tea is good for the soul. I need some chocolate, my one vice. I will let you know how I do....btw, it is about a 40-45 minute drive, 98% (easy) highway. You drive off of that and you are almost right there. Not bad, huh?
Some moral support... The principal thinks you are the most qualified applicant because s/he called on a "off day" and dug through her applications to find you, the applicant with "experience." Also, you usually want the first or last interview, as these tend to be the most memorable to the interviewers. And some words of wisdom, "practice the interview questions, know your answers, bring a portfolio/mini-portfolio if it helps demonstrate your answers, convey passion, ask for the job, and follow-up with a thank you note the next day"
Alice I know you weren't scolding but I do need that!! I feel like I do need someone to tell me what it is I CAN do not what I CANNOT do. Thanks.
RP, Thanks!!!!! I think I am ready. They did switch my interview to a later time b/c one of my interviewers could not be there earlier. (When the caller Id showed that number, I was a bit freaked out). Now, I believe I am the last one of 3 or 4 total. This woman is SO pleasant on the phone and I have heard that is true of the district. I can see she is being very particular, because this class is very special. I realized I am just happy I got chosen for an interview from SO many resumes. I have been waiting for someone to notice my experience, really notice it. Thanks to everyone again!
Well, it was really intense but good, I think. I think there are 5 or 6 of us in the running. The questions were very specific, I did not have to present a lesson, but I had to describe what they would be like, "for instances." They wanted to know exactly what my room would look like and wanted lots of examples. I hope that makes sense. I got the strong sense they want someone with more experience. They were very nice and the district seemed to be the same way. VERY professional. School is nice. They will be narrowing down to 3 and then someone else picks from there, they did not give me a time frame, but said it would be soon. I will keep you updated....
