School District Perspective on Recruiting
Districts will be receiving hundreds of applications, resumes, and email messages from teacher applicants seeking positions for every school year. The approach districts take in the hiring process vary but all do share a common perspective as to what they look for in candidates and how candidates should present themselves both in person during interviews and "on paper." Here are some tips from Human Resource administrators for candidates to follow:
- Complete hard copy and online applications thoroughly and legibly. Follow directions carefully and provide complete names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
- Resumes and cover letters with misspelled and grammatical errors do not leave a favorable impression on those receiving the documents; check and double check before submitting.
- Resumes should expand on abbreviated information provided on applications and be easy to read. Use no smaller than 10-point font.
- If resumes are sent online, be sure to check on attractiveness and alignment when resume is printed out.
- Investigate districts before applying and be sure the district is one that you can see yourself teaching in. Take the time to self-reflect on your employment and career goals as a teacher and determine whether the district(s) to which you submit applications will meet those goals.
- Take some time to research the district(s) to better understand:
- What are the district's goals and philosophy?
- How do the individual schools perform on the API?
- What is the level of support from parents at the school and in the classroom?
- What level of instructional support does the district and/or school provide to classroom teachers?
- Development a set of criteria that will help you decide which district(s) will best meet your needs and then prioritize those criteria from the most important to the least important. Criteria to consider might include such issues as beginning salary, health benefits, grade level or subject assignment, the number of different lesson preparations, professional mentoring support, staff development training, geographic location of the school, commute time to work, housing availability, housing costs, and job security for continued employment.
- Use the internet to review the goals and major themes of the district prior to writing a letter of application. Then include them in your letter as they relate to your experience.
- Decide on a realistic commute from your home and identify the districts that are within your "commute radius." Check out availability of public transportation if this is important to you.
- Teachers must have a passion for kids and teaching. Teaching is not just a job, it is a way of life. The interview team must see someone who is excited about the profession.
- Prepare a portfolio of ideas and activities that illustrate the quality of work that you are capable of providing to the school fortunate enough to retain your services.
- Take a moment in the interview process to personally meet each interviewer with a handshake, a smile, and eye contact. Firm and friendly works more effectively than the lumberjack grip or a limp hand.
- During the interview you will probably be nervous. Take a moment to take a couple of deep breaths to relax yourself. Speaking to the interviewers when you are introduced will help ease some of the tension built up in anticipation for the interview.
- Your best interview will occur when you are yourself. Focus on how much you have to offer the school or district and not on how badly you want the particular job. The more relaxed you are, the more likely you will present your best.
- Presenting your best begins with personal grooming and appropriate attire. You never know what little things impress people or discourage them from selecting you as the best candidate. Dress professionally but don't over do it; remember this is an interview not a formal event nor is it a weekend picnic with your friends. Wear fragrances in moderation.
- Smile and enjoy the opportunity to demonstrate why you are the best choice available.
- Interviews should be able to get a sense of a candidate's flexibility, creativity, professional ethics, and integrity.
Regularly check your email and answering machine for responses from districts and record a "professional" greeting on your answering machine.