Securing Your First Teaching Position L

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Securing Your First Teaching PositionLC March
2006

• Jim Buck, Executive Director
• Oregon School Personnel Association

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Overview

• What are school employers looking for?
• What will the job market be like?
• How should I promote my candidacy?
• What are some tips on résumé writing?
• How do I complete online applications?
• What should I expect from a job fair?

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What Districts Should be Sharing in Their
Communications to You

• Strong clear messages on the 4 Cs
• Community (culture, core values, etc.)
• Colleagues (team, department, etc.)
• Compensation (including benefits)
• Curriculum (in place or are you to create,
• refine, etc.?)

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Note on Compensation Benefits

• Usually not the key variable in employment
  decisions
• Job satisfaction usually not tied to pay
• Data on salary/benefits should be available and
  not difficult to obtain
• How information/communication is shared by
  district indicative of its values

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What Qualities Employers are Seeking

• 1. Effective instructional strategies
• 2. Flexibility in assignment (HS multiple
  endorsement willingness to coach)
• 3. Ability to team a personality that relates
  well with parents students
• 4. Solid work ethic leadership attributes
• 5. Technology skills cultural competence

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Job Market Outlook

• Oregon districts stable but very tight fiscal
  conditions
• Good attendance from Oregon districts at the
  Oregon Professional Educator Fair for April 4-5
  75 Oregon agencies there most interviewing space
  ever scheduled.
• Some staff reductions should be offset in part
  with baby boomer retirements/natural attrition
• Districtsto minimize costswill be preferring
  qualified less experienced teachers
• Oregon universities produce only about 50 of the
  teachers newly licensed in Oregon

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Marketing Oneself

• Have reference letters speak to your teaching
  skills (not just personality)
• Highlight academic awards and volunteer
  activities especially with youth
• Prepare a portfolio know when to share it
• Have good questions to ask district reps
• Engage in practice interviews

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Learn District Protocols

• Who can be contacted (district HR manager,
  principals, etc.)?
• Can I contact the district even if there are no
  posted openings in my area?
• Will my application be considered for a future
  opening?
• Are visits or communications to school staff
  looked upon favorably?

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Résumé Tips

• Keep to 1-2 pages
• Choose clear visual format
• Highlight name headings for quick scanning
• Use good paper
• Edit carefully for typos misspellings
• No photos of you

• Use Functional (categories) versus Chronological
  Style
• Highlight experiences (not just positions),
  recognitions and licensing information

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Résumé Tips (cont.)

• State objective carefully
• Include accurate contact info.
• Use action words to describe your
  experiences/skills
• Use bullets for conciseness

Examine résumé from three feet away Do you see
your name, the categories, and is it visually
appealing?

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Portfolio

• Demonstrates use of sound instructional
  strategies
• Reveals youre comfortable with
  assessment/accountability
• Contains copies of student products
• Demonstrates ability to engage wide range of
  learners
• Can be scanned easily by interviewers

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Finding the Match

• Know what you are you looking for
• Position, location, etc.
• Check out district and school culture
• Website, visits, colleagues, etc.
• Does the district offer the support youre
  looking for (training, time, etc.)?
• Accept a rejection as being in your interest
• Obtain interview feedback

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The Right Position

• A balanced perspective
• Is any position better than none at all?
• Should I hold out for the assignment I want?
• Should I limit myself to just a few districts?
• How long should I wait for a position in the
  district in which I am interning?

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The Oregon Professional Educator Fair

• Held April 4-5, 2006 at the Oregon Convention
  Center (190 districts)
• Register online at www.teachoregon.com and click
  on OPEF button
• Determine your purpose in attending
• Survey what opportunities exist and where
• Interview and accept offer of employment

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What to Bring to Career Fairs

• A positive disposition, professional dress
  demeanor
• Résumé copies for district reps
• Information necessary to complete application
  (especially for out of state employers)
• Knowledge about your targeted districts
• Interview materials (portfolio, etc.) if you plan
  to engage in that process

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Tips

• Check to make sure contact information is
  current notify employers of any changes
• Check your telephone message. Is it appropriate?
• Check your email name. Does it represent you
  professionally?
• Review letters of reference to ensure they speak
  to your qualifications (issue of closed vs open
  file)

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Contact Information

• Jim Buck
• oregonfair_at_verizon.net
• 503-661-5137

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Online Applicationslike TeachOregon/EdZapp