The Education Job Search

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KE I T H M U N S O NC A R E E R S P E C I A L I S T

S T R OM M E N C A R E E R & I N T E R NS H I P C E NT E RA N D E R S ON H A L L , 2 3

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The Education Job Search

Strommen Career & Internship Center •[email protected] • 612-330-1167 • http://cswl.pbworks.com/

Agenda

•Job Search Process

•Application Suggestions

•Rising to the Top

•Q and A

mailto:[email protected]


Tips for preparing materials

It takes time!6-9 months to find a jobSearching is like a full-time jobNeed to create unique tailored materials



Job Search Process

Resume/Cover Letter

Credential File

Finding Opportunitie

s

District ApplicationsInterviewingPortfolio

MN Education Job Fair


RESUMES


Purpose of a Resume?

To promote yourself – is your marketing tool to school districts

Generate interest in talking with you.The purpose of a resume is NOT to get

you a job… but to get you an INTERVIEW!!!!

NOT the whole story.



Resume Tips

Invest the time and energyHave it critiquedCreate something that represents youSell your skills!Continuous processKeep the audience in mindUse formatting to make important

information stand out



Section Headings

Req

uire

dHeadingEducationLicensure

Student Teaching Experience

Related Teaching Experience

Opt

iona

lObjective/SummaryHonor and Awards

Additional Involvement

Leadership/ActivitiesClassroom Skills

Other Work ExperienceVolunteer

Experience



Personal Information/Heading

Full Name should be displayed boldly and larger than the rest of the text

Include full address, phone number and email address

Should spell out all abbreviated wordsUse a professional email address and have

professional message on your phone



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 nextInclude grade level, school name, city,

state and the dates



Write Effective Skill Phrases

Skill phrases are action statements that describe your experiences.

Components of a skill phrase Bullet point Action verbs in the past-tense Specific skill that was learned or honed Results of your work, or how or why you

did the work.

Avoid personal pronouns when writing skill phrases



Skill Phrase Example

Fair Created lesson plans

Better Created original lesson plans surrounding the

book “The Giver”

Best Created constructivist lesson plans that utilized

cooperative learning to discuss concepts in Lois Lowry’s book, “The Giver”



Important Topics to Cover:

Implementing your own lesson plansWorking with different learning styles and diverse

studentsCollaborating with parents and managing student

behavior Curriculum development



Related Teaching Experience

Same format as student teachingDescribe additional experience working with children 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

Examples: Volunteer Experiences, Additional Involvement, and Other Work Experience



Final Tips

Do not use “I” or “my” statements

PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!!!

Write in the ACTIVE VOICE

Do not put references on the resume



Create a Professional Image

Be honest—no lying or exaggerationsUse easy to read fonts and layoutsAvoid too many graphics, fancy fonts, self-

portraitsBe consistentLook at it from an employer’s perspective, is it

visually appealing and professional?1 full page or 1.5-2 full pagesPrint on white or neutral colored resume paper


Cover Letters


What is a Cover Letter?

A marketing piece that highlights your most important qualifications AS THEY RELATE TO THAT SPECIFIC POSITION OR DISTRICT

Tool to get the employer to read your resume

Demonstrates your writing ability



Cover Letter Tips

Tailor to each position; NO GENERIC LETTERS

Make them feel like you care about their district and the job

Really answer the question-why should I hire you?

Remember back to your English classesHave it critiqued! Spelling/grammatical

errors will get you in the “no” pile



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



Heading

Can/should match heading on resumeYour address, date, employer addressSalutation



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

Why this organization? Demonstrates genuine interest Catches their attention



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



Closing

Reiterate your interest in the position and thank them

Ask for an interviewState YOUR follow up



Final Tips

Sign your letter with “sincerely” and your signature

Do your research on the employer

PROOFREAD!

Use the same font and paper as your resume


Credential Files


A note about credential files:

Self managed Include:

Education Credentials Cover Sheet Standard cover letter/letter of application Resume Application Copies of letters of recommendation (usually 3) Student teaching evaluations Copy of teaching license (if available) Copy of official transcript (available from Registrar’s Office for

a nominal fee) Every district may have different instructions on how to submit-

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS Every district may have different definition of “Credential File”-

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.


FINDING OPPORTUNITIES


Tips to Effective Networking

It’s all about making connectionsRemember that it is win-winNeed to follow up and keep in touch!Obtain 2-3 referrals from each contactSend a thank-you noteMake networking a life-long activity



Who’s in your Network?

Family & friends, friend of familyStudent/Cooperating TeachersFaculty/professorsClassmatesEmployers/co-workersContacts from professional organizations,

church, or social clubsContacts from career fairs



Finding Jobs Online

Augpostwww.mnlandit.orghttp://www1.stcloudstate.edu/joblistings/edpo

st/ (Ed Post)

http://www.schoolspring.com/http://www.teachers-teachers.com/http://www.usreap.net/http://services.education.wisc.edu/wecan/

(WECAN, WI)


https://augsburg-csm.symplicity.com/students/

http://www.mnlandit.org/

http://www1.stcloudstate.edu/joblistings/edpost/

http://www1.stcloudstate.edu/joblistings/edpost/

http://www.schoolspring.com/

http://www.teachers-teachers.com/

http://www.usreap.net/

http://services.education.wisc.edu/wecan/


Quick Tips to Online Job Searching

Find school districts you are interested inBookmark them right to the HR pageCheck 1 or 2 times per week for new

openings

OR

Set up job search agents A lot of websites have these


ApplicationTips


District Applications

Devote the time to your application (hours…)Start with districts you are most interestedAnswer genuinely/Put thought into the questions that you

answerDo not put “See Resume” or simply repeat info in resumeCan send follow-up letter and resume later if position

becomes availableFollow-up is key!Utilize jargon throughout to ensure you get pulled in a

keyword search (read the job description)Save it all in a word doc and copy and paste in if you canCheck your spelling!


Interviewing


InterviewingBe prepared! Behaviorally Based and Hypothetical

QuestionsProvide concrete, professional examplesAttend Interviewing WorkshopPractice with a Career Specialist



Interview Stream


http://cswl.pbworks.com/


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



Standing Out

Check and recheck materialsComplete applications entirely and on timeHighlight experiences that make you differentAvoid templatesPassion and energy in materials/interviewsLetters of reference/recommendationInvolvement in other activitiesTailor all materials to each position-RESEARCH



Professional Image

FacebookMySpaceTwitterYoutubeVoicemailRoommatesNetworking



MN Education Job Fair

MondayApril 11, 2011

Minneapolis Convention Center1301 Second Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55403



2011 Ed Fair

Fair Set Up On site interviews and district booths 89 Districts attended in 2010

How to register Early registration earns price break!

$15.00 early registration $30.00 at the door

Register in the Strommen Career & Internship CenterMore Information

http://www.mcusa.org/mnedfair/ http://cswl.pbworks.com



QUESTIONS?



Write these down.......

http://[email protected]


http://cswl.pbworks.com/


Documents

The Education Job Search