Job Search Strategies

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Job Search Strategies

• by Davida Bluhm
• Educational Career Services

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Overview

• The Placement File
• Job Search Essentials
• Resume Tips
• Tips for Writing Cover Letters
• Principles of Job Hunting
• Networking
• Interviewing Tips
• Professional Ethics

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What is a Placement File?

• A file located in the ECSO containing information
  about you . . .
• Letters of recommendation
• On-line registration (Profile)
• On-line documents (Resume)
• Electronic portfolio linked from your on-line
  resume

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How Is it Used?

• Sent to employers of your choice.
• Call, email, or stop by to request that your
  placement file be sent.
• Employers can access your resume on line and
  contact you.
• ECSO can refer you for jobs and send your file.

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What are the Benefits of Having a Placement File?

• 10 sets of credentials with your 50 fee sent to
  employers of your choice.
• Access to on-line job vacancies.
• Employer access to your on-line resume.
• Sign up on line for workshops and recruiter
  visits.
• ECSO may refer you for job vacancies.

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more . . .

• Placement files are official, confidential files
  sent for employment consideration.
• Central location for your credentials that remain
  in your file.
• Your placement file remains in ECSO for 15 years.

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The Placement Year

• September 1 through September 1 of any given
  year.
• Undergraduates File is active until you obtain
  bachelors degree. If a junior when registering,
  file active until you graduate.
• Graduate students Register in the year you are
  seeking employment.
• Reactivation After graduation when you want to
  use your file again.

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How to Register on the Web

• Go to our web site at http//ecso.ed.uiuc.edu.
• Click on Job Tools. Then click on Placement File
  Setup and read all the information.
• Complete Authorization to Release Placement File
  form and Information form obtained from the ECSO.

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more registering . . .

• Submit the form and fee of 50 to ECSO.
  Reactivation fee is 75.
• Using internet explorer, return to ECSO web site
  and click on Students. Be sure to choose
  University of Illinois Urbana Educational
  Career Services Office.

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more registering . . .

• Log in with a username and password assigned by
  ECSO. (You can change the password after you
  have logged in at least once.)
• Complete Profile section including Personal Info,
  Academics, Future Plans, and Administration.
• Complete Documents section by uploading your
  RESUME. Other documents are optional.

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more registering . . .

• Link your electronic portfolio to your resume by
  including the full URL address.
• Be sure to always save your data.

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Where do I begin?

• Know the job search essentials.
• Know what you are looking for (subject, grade
  level).
• Prepare your job search materials.
• Know when to start applying.
• Know the game.
• Determine your geographical limitations or
  flexibility and identify job vacancies.
• Begin to develop your job search strategy.

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Job Search Essentials

• Resume
• Cover letter (application and inquiry)
• Portfolio
• Letters of recommendation
• Application form
• Transcripts (from Admissions Records)
• Interview
• Certification
• FOLLOW THE RULES

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Job Leads

• Jobs if you are registered with ECSO
• http//ecso.ed.uiuc.edu
• Teacher Placement Day
• Job Search Handbook (includes web sites for all
  states)
• Newspapers local and national
• Internet www.iasaedu.org, www.edweek.org,
  www.isbe.state.il.us, http//teachers.net/jobs,
  www.k12jobs.com

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more job leads . . .

• Independent schools
• http//www.nais.org/careers/seekers
• http//www.carneysandoe.com (Carney, Sandoe
  Assoc.)
• www.greatschools.net
• Project Connect (when registered with ECSO)

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What is a resume?

• A summary of your experience.
• A summary of who you are and what you can offer
  an employer.
• An indispensable marketing tool . . . about you.

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What is the purpose of a resume?

• Helps you work through interests and clarify
  goals and direction.
• Demonstrates your established goals to a
  potential employer in written form.
• Leads to an interview.
• Provides the interviewer with an outline to
  follow.
• Offers an example of your organization and
  written skills.
• Helps the interviewer remember you.

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Resume TIPS

• Know your audience.
• Present your job objective stating what job you
  are seeking and what grade level.
• Use strong action words and phrases.
• Use short, concise phrases.
• Make it easy to read.

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more tips . . .

• Use bullets, bold, italics, underline,
  bold-italics, CAPITALIZATION but dont overuse.
• Use headings to draw reader.
• Use sufficient white space and balance content on
  the page.
• Proofread. Must be error free.

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What is the purpose of a cover letter?

• To cover your resume.
• To introduce yourself along with your attached
  resume to a prospective employer.
• To obtain an interview appointment or application.

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What does a cover letter do?

• Creates a desire for employer to read your resume
  and urges employer to talk with you.
• Informs employer of your communication skills.

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more . . .

• Emphasizes additional skills, experiences, or
  abilities not found in a resume.
• Can expand on experience in resume or include
  experience not in resume but no repeats.
• Letters are compared with others to screen
  applicants for further consideration.

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2 Types of Cover Letters

• Letter of application
• Targets identified positions
• Letter of inquiry or interest
• Not directed at any specific job vacancy.
• Directed at a school district or school.

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3 Parts of a Cover Letter

• Introduction (1 paragraph)
• Body (1 or 2 paragraphs)
• Close (1 paragraph)

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TIPS for Writing Cover Letters

• Short and to the point.
• Include all possible identifiers local and
  permanent email, phone, address, etc.
• Address each letter with an individuals name.
• Use tone of moderate confidence.

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more . . .

• Use center of letter to arouse employers
  curiosity use concrete examples of your
  experiences and abilities.
• Make your signature bold and legible
• Use good word processor and printer.
• Use good quality paper that matches resume.

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more . . .

• Include a challenging thought.
• Be direct in requesting an interview.
• Sign and date your cover letter.
• Apply only for positions for which you
  understand, are qualified, and interested.
• Obtain as much information about the position as
  possible.
• PROOFREAD MUST BE ERROR FREE.

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TIPS for Applications

• Complete on-line applications when possible.
  Some require it.
• Follow instructions carefully.
• Complete a draft and transfer your answers to the
  final copy.
• Proofread.
• Keep copy of completed applications.

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Principles of Job Hunting

• Job hunt is an information hunt.
• Job hunt is a rejection process.
• Narrow your choices.
• Decide where you want to work and live.
• Size of community and school, location, rural,
  urban, inner city

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more . . .

• Have a job search goal.
• Know what youre looking for subject, grade
  level, etc.
• Set weekly objectives, follow through and
  evaluate your progress.
• Plan, stay on target, review, improve.
• Look for specific job vacancies.

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more . . .

• Be willing to relocate if possible.
• Obtain names and addresses of school districts.
• Research school districts and communities.
• Said an Indiana University football coach, Luck
  is when preparation meets opportunity.

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more . . .

• Know what employers want and need.
• What can you do for them? Not what they can do
  for you.
• Register with ECSO.
• Begin sending letters and resumes in January and
  February for fall employment.

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more . . .

• Contact employers after two weeks to verify that
  your application materials arrived.
• Be persistent in your job search.
• Do a self-assessment.
• Get to know yourself well.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses.
• The better you know yourself, the more
  comfortable you will feel in an interview.

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more . . .

• Evaluate job options before accepting a position.
• Never accept a job on the spot unless you know
  its the one you want.
• When you accept a position, do not change your
  mind or keep looking for other positions.

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Networking

• What is it?
• An opportunity to connect with the right people.
• A research tool.
• Why network?
• To create job leads.
• To solicit advice and information

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Who Are My Contacts?

• Anyone you know in the system.
• Family, friends, neighbors.
• Alumni association and alumni in the field.
• Service people
• Banks, cash register operators in grocery stores,
  doctors, dentists, realtors, hair dresser/barber,
  etc.
• Places airplane, train, bus, restaurants
• Professors, teachers, principals,
  superintendents, politicians.

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How Can They Help?

• May know reputation of schools and school
  districts.
• May have kids in school and have inside
  information.
• May be school board members.
• May know who needs your talents.

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Networking in the School District

• Visit individual schools within a district.
• Request a meeting with the principal or
  department chair.
• Call ahead of time or drop by.
• Research and obtain information on the school and
  district before speaking with them.

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in the school . . .

• Dress appropriately.
• Know the correct pronunciation of the persons
  name.
• Know what information you want.
• Prepare questions in advance.
• Have a prepared and rehearsed 20-second,
  mini-speech saying who you are and why you are
  there.

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in the school . . .

• Observe whats around the office and informally
  comment on anything there.
• Shows interest in the person and makes them feel
  comfortable.
• Focus your conversation on them, their school and
  programs and relate your experiences.
• Be courteous, respectful, and professional.

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in the school . . .

• Could be a screening interview.
• Request tour of the building.
• Ask to observe a class.
• Volunteer to assist in a class.
• Leave your resume.
• Leave a video of 10- to 15-minute teaching sample
  if you have one.
• Send a thank you note.

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Sample Questions to Ask

• What do you like most about your school?
• What are the challenges in your school?
• Does your school implement efforts to retain its
  teachers?
• Why did you choose education as your career?

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Record Your Actions

• Keep track of contacts/meetings and what was
  discussed.
• Names, referred by, referred to, dates, calls,
  emails, etc.
• Follow-up actions.
• New contact names.
• Stay organized.

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Research and Be Prepared !

• What information to look for . . .
• About the community
• Population of the city
• Per capita income
• Businesses in the community
• Possibilities for recreation
• University/college to further education

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research . . .

• About the school district
• Philosophy of education
• Number of students in the district and/or
  individual schools
• Size of classes
• Secondary teachers how many classes will you
  teach per day how many courses
• Per student spending
• Any programs for which they are known
• Mentoring for students, outstanding music
  programs, etc.

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Where do I find information?

• Libraries
• Community newspapers
• School district publications
• School newsletters
• Student newspapers
• Teacher/student handbook
• Yearbook
• Policies and procedures manual
• Teachers and parents in the district

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more information . . .

• People in the community
• District initiatives, referendum issues,
  curricular-specific information (reading series,
  funding, textbook), community concerns and
  support
• School secretaries
• Chamber of Commerce
• Web sites
• Realtors

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Major WRONGS of Interviewing

• Taken from So You Have to Have a Portfolio, A
  Teachers Guide to Preparations and Presentation
  by Wyatt III and Sandra Looper.
• Do not chew gum (includes hard candies, mints, or
  anything that impairs your speech.)
• No limp handshake (look people in the eye and
  give a firm but not bone crushing grip).

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the wrong way . . .

• Do not enter the office and plop down (remember
  what your mother taught you wait to be invited
  in and to be seated).
• Do not smell of smoke (avoid that last cigarette
  in the parking lot).
• Do not call the interviewer by his/her first name
  (use correct title Mr., Miss, Mrs., Ms., or
  Dr.).

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the wrong way . . .

• Do not use nonstandard speech or slang (good or
  poor habits will help or haunt you).
• Do not be too nonchalant (insert enthusiasm and
  energy into comments).
• Do not ask inappropriate questions (e.g., Do I
  get the job?).
• Do not be too casual (do not make yourself at
  home, it is not your office).

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The RIGHT Approach to Interviewing

• Taken from So You Have to Have A Portfolio, A
  Teachers Guide to Preparation and Presentation
  by Robert Wyatt III and Sandra Looper.
• Be on time (15 minutes early).
• Be courteous to all school personnel.
• Smile display sense of humor.

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the right way . . .

• Demonstrate knowledge of state and national
  standards and an ability to address them in daily
  lessons.
• Acknowledge importance of technology and a
  willingness to integrate into classroom practice.
• Show an ability to think through a complex
  question before answering.

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the right way . . .

• Have some knowledge of school district policies
  and programs.
• Ask intelligent questions.
• Display sincerity, genuineness, and enthusiasm.
• Answer honestly posed questions, not canned
  answers.

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the right way . . .

• Have poise and confidence despite nervousness.
• Acknowledge willingness to try attitude.
• Be an unselfish team player.
• Show flexibility and adaptability.
• Acknowledge strong work ethic.

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the right way . . .

• Recognize importance of lifelong learning.
• Be prepared and organized.
• Demonstrate reflective thoughts about personal
  progress.
• Display grateful spirit for those who have helped
  you along the way. Handwritten thank-you note
  following interview will be positively received.

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Interview Tips

• Do not overdo the after shave and
  perfume/cologne.
• Keep jewelry simple.
• No long, brightly colored nails well-manicured
  nails.
• No outrageous hair styles no purple, green,
  spiked, etc.

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more tips . . .

• Do not display tatoos.
• Close-toed shoes are best.
• No low-cut blouses.
• No jeans or shorts (too casual).
• Do not dress in any way that would detract from
  you, the person.
• Key word -- professional

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Interview Attire

• What colors are best?
• What should men wear to an interview?
• What should women wear to an interview?
• What about pant suits for women?

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Who is the perfect candidate?(according to
employers)

• Do Your Research
• Do not interview if you have not researched the
  district.
• Be Prepared
• Practice ahead of time.
• Have a Focus
• Know what you are seeking.
• Bring Experience to the Table
• Student teaching, etc.

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Professional Ethics

• Do not keep looking for employment after
  accepting a position (even if you have only made
  a verbal acceptance).

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• Love the kids, love your content area, and
  welcome the opportunity to share it.
• Smile. Show a sense of humor.

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Aloha and Mahalo!