JOB SEARCH FOR TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS Donna Cassell Ratcliffe Director, VT Career Services

WE WILL COVER:  School System Application and Interview Process  Preparation  Identifying Opportunities:  Career Fairs  Job Listings  On-Campus Interviews  Other Job Search Strategies

SCHOOL SYSTEM APPLICATION PROCESS 1.Research your options 2.Apply to Central Office – Submit ALL MATERIALS!  Application  Resume  Transcripts  Student Teaching Evaluations  Reference Letters  Writing Sample  Test Scores 3.Keep copies of all documents and files 4.Call to assure all documents have been received

SCHOOL SYSTEM INTERVIEW PROCESS Learn about their interview process  Screening interview  On-Campus Interviews  Job Fairs  Make Appointment in Central Office  Centralized/Mass Interview Program  Interview in schools for specific openings  Market yourself ! Take initiative !  Principals or Department Chairs will contact you  Interview with one person or with several

ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS FEBRUARY 25 AND 26 Hokies4HireHokies4Hire – 26 school systems  Request Interview (Submit Resumes): 2/8/ :59 PM  Accepted Students Sign-up Opens: 2/14/ :01 AM  Alternate Students Sign-up Opens: 2/18/ :01 AM  Sign-up Closed: 2/19/ :59 PM

26 SCHOOL SYSTEMS Wednesday, February 25 Alexandria City Public Schools Radford City Public Schools Amherst County Public Schools Campbell County Schools Roanoke City Public Schools Chesterfield County Public Schools Fauquier County Public Schools Smyth County Schools Williamsburg-James City Schools Floyd County Public Schools Radford City Public Schools Franklin County Public Schools Roanoke City Public Schools Prince William County Public Schools RED – job info is not currently on Hokies4Hire Keep Checking! Thursday, February 26 Arlington Public SchoolsMadison County Public Augusta County Public Schools Manassas Park City Schools Campbell County SchoolsMontgomery County Public Schools Chesapeake Public SchoolsNorfolk Public Schools Fredericksburg City Public Schools Patrick County Public Schools Hanover County Public Schools Prince William County Public Schools Henrico County Public Schools Loudoun County Schools Virginia Beach City Public Schools Louisa County Public Schools

PREPARATION - RESUME Create a dynamic resume  Your career objective  Your educational background  Your related work experience – achievements  Nature of student population  Subject matter  Methods of delivery  Other  Your extracurricular activities and honors  For Career Fairs: Take enough for all systems of interest, and a few more!

PREPARATION – RESUME CONT Resources  Career Services’ Website  Career Planning Guide  Resume Critiques – 12-3:00 PM Walk-in Advising  Career Advisor – Appointment ( )

PREPARATION - ATTIRE Dress for success:  Select an interview suit appropriate for a professional interview  Hair  Shoes  Padfolio  Beware! Resource:

PREPARATION - RESEARCH Research the school systems and determine opportunities and school systems of interest  Location  Mission and Philosophy  Curriculum  Student Population

JOB FAIRS  School systems, regional organizations, and other colleges sponsor job fairs for school system job opening!  Look on the Career Services website for listings:

PREPARATION – SELF INTRO It all starts with the Self-Introduction Develop a 30 second commercial – Elevator Pitch  One chance to make a first impression  Be succinct and informative  Include: your name, express enthusiasm, make reference to the school system, and let them know a skill or two you possess

JOB LISTINGS  Hokies4Hire  On-line listings Career Service’s website: ields/K-12education.html  School system HR websites  Through your program/department

PREPARATION: INTERVIEWS Practice for your interviews.  Stages of the interview  Preparing answers to questions  Confidence  Verbal communication skills  Non-verbal communication factors  At the end of the interview: Ask what to anticipate from after this interview (future interview process, etc.)  Interview Stream – on-line tool

PREPARATION - INTERVIEWS 1.If a student said she thought you were the worst teacher she ever had, what would you say? 2.If I were your principal and we were setting goals for next year, what would they be? 3.Some people say you should demand respect. Do you agree or disagree? 4.Tell me about yourself? 5.Are you an empathetic person? Give an example. 6.Tell me about a time when a student was struggling and your response? 7.Are you an objective person? Give an example. 8.What resources have been beneficial to you and your students? Resource: Handout of Sample Interview Questions for Teachers Mock Interview Program InterviewStream: Career Planning Guide

PREPARATION - INTERVIEWS Resources  Career Services’ Website  Career Planning Guide  Mock Interview Program  Interview Stream (on-line) Interview Stream (on-line)  Career Advisor – Appointment ( )

FOLLOW-UP Request a business card from those with whom you have an interview so that you can write a Thank You note.

FOLLOW THROUGH  Make sure you know the required paperwork to qualify for positions! Most school systems will not make an offer without all required paperwork.

OTHER JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES  Contact school systems of interest  Ask teachers and others at your schools  Search for school systems on-line  Use job listing resources   Linked In – VT Alumni and others

VISIT CAREER SERVICES Career Services 8:00AM – 5:00 PM Walk-in Advising: 12:00 – 3:00 (M-F) Corner of West Campus Drive and Washington Street Resource: Donna Cassell Ratcliffe, Director