EDUCATION JOB SEARCH Strommen Career and Internship Center

Victor Vocation “V.V.” Introducing our new mascot...

Agenda 1. Education Job Search Process 2. MN Education Job Fair 3. Education Resume

JOB SEARCH PROCESS START EARLY!!!!

Job Search Process Resume/Cover Letter Credential File District Research District Applications InterviewingPortfolio MN Education Job Fair

Education Job Search  Success = using a variety of tools and search methods ◦ Internet – Edpost, Landit, MASA ◦ District Websites ◦ Network – friends, family, alumni, work connections  Meet with a Career Specialist  Use the Career and Internship Wiki:

Credential File  Usually letters of recommendation and transcripts ◦ Depends on each school district, so always check for what they prefer ◦ May also include a resume, cover letter, teaching license, etc.  Shows teaching skills, strengths, and motivations  Self-managed credential file  Include a cover sheet that has your college, graduation, area of license, and contact information

District Applications  Takes a lot of time, so start ASAP  Start with districts you are most interested  Less is more, but think about your answers  Do not just repeat resume  Can send follow-up letter and resume later if a position becomes available  Follow-up is key!  Can use AppliTrack to apply to multiple districts

Interviewing  Be prepared!  Behaviorally Based and Hypothetical Questions  Provide concrete, professional examples  Practice with a Career Specialist

Interview Stream

Portfolio  Documented evidence of teaching skills and achievements  Hard copy works best in an interview ◦ Use as an aid ◦ Lesson plans, evaluations, resume, cover letter, activities, and awards

MN Education Job Fair Monday April 19, 2010 Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel Exhibit Hall 1300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403

Reasons to GO!!! Make contacts/networkCollect applications and district informationPractice interviewing and speaking to districtsHelps get ready for your job search

Job Fair Information  Preparation is the key to success  Fair orientation/prep sessions  Tuesday, March 9, 2010 – 5:30 p.m. in OGC 100  Thursday, March 25, 2010 – 5:30 p.m. in OGC 100  Registration starts at end of February  will get s with registration information

Before the Fair  Research districts and apply  Prepare your 30 second introduction  Look out-of-state  Have your resume completed  Practice interviewing

JOB SEARCH QUESTIONS?

RESUMES

Purpose  To promote yourself  is your marketing tool to school districts  are written with your audience in mind  The purpose of a resume is NOT to get you a job… but to get you an INTERVIEW!!!!

Basic Guidelines Should always include the three E’s : Education Experience Extra-Curricular Involvement

Section Headings Should Have Objective Education Licensure Student Teaching Experience Related Teaching Experience Optional Honor and Awards Additional Involvement Leadership/Activities Classroom Skills Other Work Experience Volunteer Experience

Personal Information  Full name should be displayed boldly and larger than the rest of the text  Include full address, phone number and address  Should spell out all abbreviated words  Use a professional address and have professional message on your phone

Personal Information

Education  Include your degree, college major, expected graduation as well as the city and state of your college  Can include GPA, Honors and Awards, Study Abroad, and any relevant coursework in this section if you wish  Include any other post-high school experiences if you received a degree from that school

Licensure  This comes after the Education section because schools will want to see it  They will know you will not have it yet – just put when it is expected or that it is pending

Student Teaching  Most relevant, so it comes next  Include grade level, school name, city, state and the dates

Resume Statements  Include statements that describe what you did – start each with an action verb ◦ A strong resume statement includes action verb + details + results  Statements should be unique and specific experiences that you performed  Place statements in order of what the school is looking for  Place statement in the past tense  Include who, what, where, why and how  Create a balance between overly concise and too wordy

Resume Statements  Speak to the following:  implementing your own lesson plans  working with different learning styles  teaching with diverse students  dealing with parents  managing student behavior  curriculum development

Related Teaching Experience  Set up the same as student teaching  Then describe what you did and how it relates to teaching

Classroom Skills  List any special skills you have that could add to your teaching and classroom experience  Examples: computer skills, languages, musical skills, art skills, and coaching

Other Sections  You will want to add any other sections that highlight your well-rounded abilities and interests  How much you add depends on how much room you have left  Examples: Volunteer Experiences, Additional Involvement, and Other Work Experience

Other Sections

V.V.’s Final Tips Balance amount of black and white spaceDo not use a templateMake it organized and easy to read Keep font size between 10 and 12 and have a normal font (Times New Roman) Use high quality resume paperLimit it to one page

V.V.’s Final Tips Do not use “I” or “my” statementsCheck for consistencyPROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!!!Do not put references on the resumeDo not list high school informationBring whatever is most relevant to the job up top

RESUME QUESTIONS?

COVER LETTERS

What is a Cover Letter?  is a letter that gives you a change to elaborate on more skills you have that may not be specifically highlighted on your resume  is meant to get the employer to read your resume

Basic Guidelines  should always accompany a resume even when not requested  needs to be well-written and in a professional tone  do not start all of your sentences with “I”  customize each letter with a job description of the organization you are applying for  shows your passion for teaching

Heading  your name and address should come first  then put the date  next the employer’s name, title, and work address  always address your employer as:  Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name:

Opening  indicate the position you are applying for and how you came to learn about the position  state why you are interested in the position  say something you know or admire about the organization  shows you have done your research

Middle Section  highlight your experience as it relates to the position  provide them with the key skills you have that are mentioned in the job description  be specific about how your achievements and education have prepared you for the position  elaborate more in-depth than what is on your resume

Closing  reiterate your interest in the position and thank them for their consideration  state that you hope to discuss your qualifications in an interview  say when you plan to follow-up with them and then do so

V.V.’s Final Tips sign your letter with “sincerely” and your signaturedo your research on the employerPROOFREAD!use the same font and paper as your resumeshow enthusiasm for the position

COVER LETTER QUESTIONS?

Reminders  Strommen Career and Internship Center  Anderson Hall, Room 23   Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Open other times by appointment