I WANT TO BE PRINCIPAL

Steps to become a principal 1. Two or more years as teacher. 1. Two or more years as teacher. 2. Master’s Degree and certification. 2. Master’s Degree and certification. 3. Develop resume 3. Develop resume 4. Complete application 4. Complete application 5. Letter to HR 5. Letter to HR 6. Letter of interest 6. Letter of interest

Steps to become a principal Develop a resume Develop a resume Heading needs to grab reader Heading needs to grab reader Education Education Certification Certification Experience Experience All current to earliest All current to earliest

Steps to become a principal Application Application Most are on line Most are on line Watch spelling Watch spelling Watch grammar Watch grammar Professional address Professional address Dependable contacts—good phone numbers Dependable contacts—good phone numbers

Steps to become principal Letter to Human Resources or Personnel Department Letter to Human Resources or Personnel Department Statement of completion Statement of completion Special items of interest Special items of interest

Steps to become a principal Letter of Interest Letter of Interest Letter of Intent Letter of Intent Narrative of your resume. Keep it brief. Follow district instructions. If they request page—you will write page. Narrative of your resume. Keep it brief. Follow district instructions. If they request page—you will write page.

Steps to become a principal Prepare a CD to leave with the committee. Prepare a CD to leave with the committee.

You Have the Interview Don’t Flub It

You Have The Interview Internet—April 13, 2005 Internet—April 13, 2005 Adapted by Dr. Harold L. Smith Adapted by Dr. Harold L. Smith

A weak handshake Your handshake means a lot about you. Your handshake means a lot about you. Strong, firm handshake. Strong, firm handshake. Limp, weak, hesitant—tells interviewer that you are unsure of yourself. Limp, weak, hesitant—tells interviewer that you are unsure of yourself.

No Eye Contact Look your interviewer in the eyes Look your interviewer in the eyes No eye contact=lack of confidence, uninterested No eye contact=lack of confidence, uninterested Look your interviewer in the third eye if more comfortable Look your interviewer in the third eye if more comfortable Third Eye? Space between the eyes. Third Eye? Space between the eyes.

Answer Overkill Important points will be lost if you talk too much. Important points will be lost if you talk too much. Keep your answers focused and on topic. Keep your answers focused and on topic. Limit your responses to a couple of minutes. Limit your responses to a couple of minutes. You don’t want to bore the interviewer You don’t want to bore the interviewer

One-Word Answers Too much talking will turn your interviewer off. One word answers will do the same. Too much talking will turn your interviewer off. One word answers will do the same. An interview is a conversation An interview is a conversation Be able to elaborate and answer questions intelligently. Be able to elaborate and answer questions intelligently. One word responses indicate lack of confidence, lack of interest or conceded. One word responses indicate lack of confidence, lack of interest or conceded.

Interrupting the Interviewer Nobody wants to be interrupted Nobody wants to be interrupted Interrupting the interviewer what you have to say is more important than what they are saying. Interrupting the interviewer what you have to say is more important than what they are saying.

Candidate Misrepresentation No padded resumes No padded resumes Be able to back up your resume Be able to back up your resume Be able to back up your comments about experience Be able to back up your comments about experience Don’t claim to be a perfectionist if there are typos or spelling errors on your resume Don’t claim to be a perfectionist if there are typos or spelling errors on your resume Demonstrate that you have enough credibility to get the job done. Demonstrate that you have enough credibility to get the job done.

Arriving Late What can be said? What can be said? Late=I am not interested in the position. Late=I am not interested in the position. Late=My time is more important than your time. Late=My time is more important than your time. Arrange to arrive early Arrange to arrive early Have a phone contact if you run into trouble. Have a phone contact if you run into trouble. Call if you will be late. Call if you will be late.

Knowing Nothing about the School Study the AEIS, AYP reports Study the AEIS, AYP reports Study the Campus Improvement Plan Study the Campus Improvement Plan Be able to discuss the desired areas of growth for the campus Be able to discuss the desired areas of growth for the campus If you know nothing about the school, it will appear you are not really interested. If you know nothing about the school, it will appear you are not really interested.

Ultra-Causal Conversation Interview is a professional situation Interview is a professional situation Leave slang at home—”you know, um, like, sucks” Leave slang at home—”you know, um, like, sucks” Answer questions in an acceptable language Answer questions in an acceptable language Don’t be sucked in by the interviewers slang Don’t be sucked in by the interviewers slang

Interview tips Star Telegram November 4, 2004

Watch for Word Ticks Monitor and ask friends to point out any annoying habits. Pay attention to how many times you tend to overused phrases such as ‘ you know ” ‘ kind of ” and “ like ” Monitor and ask friends to point out any annoying habits. Pay attention to how many times you tend to overused phrases such as ‘ you know ” ‘ kind of ” and “ like ”

Cut out nonwords. Constantly inserting “ hmm ”, “ ah ”, “ er ” and other noises conveys uncertainty. Simply pause if you aren ’ t sure what to say or are searching for a transition from one topic to the next. Constantly inserting “ hmm ”, “ ah ”, “ er ” and other noises conveys uncertainty. Simply pause if you aren ’ t sure what to say or are searching for a transition from one topic to the next.

Use Simple Declarative Sentences Avoid starting with “ I think ” or following up with question remarks such as ‘ right ’ or ‘ see. ’

Soften blunt yes/no answers by adding clarification “ Yes, I know Marshall ” or “ No, I haven ’ t had that opportunity. ”

Avoid Slang words What needs to be said? What needs to be said?

Take Your Time Speak just a bit slower than you usually do and concentrate on your words. You will seem more thoughtful, and you may avoid some of the pitfalls listed earlier.

Be Prepared If you ’ re preparing for a specific presentation, speech or interview, take time to rehearse what you want to say. Tape record your practice sessions so that you can hear any problems.

Do Your Homework 1. Know what the job will entail? 2. What are the school ’ s strengths? 3. What are the school ’ s desired areas of growth? 4. What will you bring to that position that will cause you to be the correct person for the job?

Follow up 1. After the interview, send a card of thanks for the opportunity to interview. 2. Few days later send a card stating you are available if they need additional information.