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The Education Job Search. Fall 2010 Keith Munson Career Specialist Strommen Career & Internship Center Anderson Hall, 23 612-330-1148. Agenda. Tips for preparing materials. It takes time! 6-9 months to find a job Searching is like a full-time job
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The Education Job Search Fall 2010 Keith Munson Career Specialist Strommen Career & Internship Center Anderson Hall, 23 612-330-1148
Tips for preparing materials It takes time! 6-9 months to find a job Searching is like a full-time job Need to create unique tailored materials
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 energy Have it critiqued Create something that represents you Sell your skills! Continuous process Keep the audience in mind Use formatting to make important information stand out
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 words Use 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 next Include 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 plans Working with different learning styles and diverse students Collaborating with parents and managing student behavior Curriculum development
Related Teaching Experience Same format as student teaching Describe 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
Create a Professional Image • Be honest—no lying or exaggerations • Use easy to read fonts and layouts • Avoid too many graphics, fancy fonts, self-portraits • Be consistent • Look at it from an employer’s perspective, is it visually appealing and professional? • 1 full page or 1.5-2 full pages • Print on white or neutral colored resume paper
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 classes Have 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 resume Your address, date, employer address Salutation
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 interview State YOUR follow up
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.
Tips to Effective Networking It’s all about making connections Remember that it is win-win Need to follow up and keep in touch! Obtain 2-3 referrals from each contact Send a thank-you note Make networking a life-long activity
Who’s in your Network? Family & friends, friend of family Student/Cooperating Teachers Faculty/professors Classmates Employers/co-workers Contacts from professional organizations, church, or social clubs Contacts from career fairs
Finding Jobs Online Augpost www.mnlandit.org http://www1.stcloudstate.edu/joblistings/edpost/ (Ed Post) http://www.schoolspring.com/ http://www.teachers-teachers.com/ http://www.usreap.net/ http://services.education.wisc.edu/wecan/ (WECAN, WI)
Quick Tips to Online Job Searching Find school districts you are interested in Bookmark them right to the HR page Check 1 or 2 times per week for new openings OR Set up job search agents A lot of websites have these
District Applications • Devote the time to your application (hours…) • Start with districts you are most interested • Answer genuinely/Put thought into the questions that you answer • Do not put “See Resume” or simply repeat info in resume • Can send follow-up letter and resume later if position becomes available • Follow-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 can • Check your spelling!
Interviewing Be prepared! Behaviorally Based and Hypothetical Questions Provide concrete, professional examples Attend Interviewing Workshop Practice with a Career Specialist
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 materials Complete applications entirely and on time Highlight experiences that make you different Avoid templates Passion and energy in materials/interviews Letters of reference/recommendation Involvement in other activities Tailor all materials to each position-RESEARCH
Professional Image Facebook MySpace Twitter Youtube Voicemail Roommates Networking
MN Education Job Fair Monday April 11, 2011 Minneapolis Convention Center1301 Second Avenue SouthMinneapolis, 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 Center • More Information • http://www.mcusa.org/mnedfair/ • http://cswl.pbworks.com
Write these down....... http://cswl.pbworks.com munsonk@augsburg.edu