After an interview today that I don't feel went particularly well, I'm just not feeling very optimistic. I need to have a job for the fall, and grad school just isn't an option right now. I just graduated college, so I don't have any experience in a classroom of my own. I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions of things that I could do to improve my chances of getting a job. Any books I could read or anything?
i would suggest applying for substitute or Teacher aide positions. Sometimes its not enough to have a degree, you have to make connections and get your foot in the door by serving a few years in a position you may not love, but will give you teaching experience so that you can apply and get a teaching position.
I am planning on subbing next year in the district where I want to live if I don't get a job to hopefully do just that...
It was 24 interviews before I landed my current job. (Interview 11 also landed a one year position) Generally I found there to be two waves of interviewing/hiring. The first as school is letting out and resignations are becoming official, and the second a few weeks before school starts when principals return to find additional staff members have resigned. The good news is that second wave of hiring is still a month or two away. Also, having gotten multiple interviews is very encouraging. The bad news is there is likely to be a drop-off in hiring activity soon. Don't despair, lots more hiring is still ahead. Good luck!
Thank you for the comforting words! It's nice to hear from someone who's gone through this process and come out with a job!
research the school you are applying to and have some questions specific to the school. Read their school improvement plan, teacher handbook, student handbook, etc. any news article about the school: if their team won an award for sports, academics, etc. Most can be found online at the school webpage.
I did have one question for them about the BYOD program there that I had read about online, and they seemed impressed by that. BUT the principal texted me last night and asked me to come in today to meet the fifth grade team, so I guess it didn't go as badly as I thought!
Sometimes I read here about teachers who got offered every job they applied for. That wasn't me. Despite the fact that I have multiple certifications and I have been told I interview well, there was tremendous competition and it definitely took awhile. Good luck with meeting the team. I hope it goes well.
This year I've been trying to transfer I had 7 interviews kept getting a no then got two offers on tech same day. It will happen just keep applying!
congrats rpickles!! that's excellent starting to feel the same way as this thread's title...I mean I guess I haven't had *that* many interviews...I'll have had my 6th on Monday. But I am wondering about my interviewing skills. I only had one interview before the job I currently have so I don't have a lot of experience with it.... siiiiiigh
Willow, when I was looking last time, and interview so many times but didn't get picked, I called the principal at one school and asked her what I could do better. It was VERY helpful. I was embarrassed to do it, but I appreciated the time the principal took with me and the advice I received.
Since you just graduate from college, things will be hard to come by. Go to grad school and get certified in a 2nd area to increase your chances on an interview. If not, you will prob have to sub for a period of time. Do whatever you can to build your resume! Good luck!
Oh my gosh my principal just told me she got a call for a reference check...!!! At one of the places I interviewed. Ideal place to live though it's a part-time job.
I hope it works out for you, willow129. I definitely started to question my interviewing skills. I would think the interview went so well, and then I'd hear nothing at all. I guess I've realized it's just a matter of interviewing at the right school that's a good match with your personal skills!
Try to work on your image, smarten up, color your hair, wear makeup. I lost 20 pounds, purchased an expensive business outfit and borrowed my mother's pearls. I now call em my good luck pearls. Work on your self-confidence. Practice in front of a mirror. That's what I did. They are not going to hire someone who is shy, nervous, doesn't make eye contact because how is that going to look in front of a class?
The OP got the job, Milsey. A professional appearance is important, but one neednt color their hair or wear make up to look professional and feel confident. A great resume, excellent recommendations and knowing your 'stuff' go a long way in boosting one's feelings of confidence as well....
I DO agree that a little make-up is a good thing, though, as long as it's not distracting. If it gives you a confidence boost, that's all that matters!
So glad it worked out, pickles! The year before last when I was moving cities I got a job offer after my first interview. The next year (left because the school was terrible) I had to do something like 17 interviews before getting an offer, and then I was offered 3 jobs in the same week! Sometimes it's just luck of the draw. Luckily I'm not job searching this year!
czacza, the "knowing your 'stuff'" part was what I was shooting for with the original post too. I thought maybe there may be some research that I could do that I was overlooking...
