Career Corner
In this blog, members of the American Association for Employment in Education, a professional organization for college career-center directors and school district recruiters, provided career advice and discuss developments in the education job market. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: career advice and job huntjob hunt.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Are you ready for behaviorial interviews?
What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Tell me about yourself. These were very common questions in an interview, but times are changing, and so are interviews. You need to be ready for behavioral interview questions. In a behavioral interview you will have to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities, collectively known as competencies, by giving specific examples from your past experiences. The principal or human resources recruiter wants to know, not that you can do something, but that you have done it. He or she, prior to the interview, determines what competencies are required for the position. Then the interviewer develops a series of questions that will allow him or her to find out if you, the teacher candidate, possess the necessary competencies to perform the job and are a good fit for that particular school. The basic premise of the behavioral interview is that past performance is a good predictor of future performance.
Professional Development
Opinion
After-graduation teacher-training programs: a god-send or a curse?
Recently I was surprised to hear two different school districts in major cities advertising for “anyone with a bachelor’s degree” to apply to teach. The advertisements stated that the districts were desperate for teachers and could certify anyone with a bachelor’s degree. One district even said certification could be accomplished in only two Saturdays of preparation. I was shocked! How could someone with two days of preparation be the equivalent of a teacher who trained and studied for many years in college and was then mentored by a master teacher during a semester of student teaching? How could someone off the street be considered for such a role, especially during this time of “No Child Left Behind”? Is this an aberration or is this a thing of the future? If we are not able to fill our teacher roles with quality, qualified teachers will we resort to taking whoever is available? Has the demand completely outstripped the supply of certified teachers?
Professional Development
Opinion
Hiring teachers before they student teach
This past May has been unusual for my office. I help place student teachers into the positions where they will student teach for the fall semester. In past years this has been fairly normal and fairly routine. The reason I have called this past month "unusual" is that four of the math majors I placed in student teaching positions for this fall were offered teaching jobs at schools other than where they were assigned to student teach.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
What are the job placement statistics for my major?
A student recently emailed my office asking for job placement statistics for the teacher education majors at our university. I am always at a loss to answer such a broad question because many factors go into what I am sure this student hopes is a simple answer. I once overheard a career services director of a major university answer the job placement statistics question by saying, "We have 100% job placement! All of our students eventually find a job somewhere."
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
What Does the First Year Look Like?
As a candidate for a teaching position, the search is only one part of getting in front of the classroom. Most people find the chase to be rather tiring, but the real work starts as a person signs a contract and makes a commitment to be in front of kids. Every teaching position in this nation is important. Every teacher is important for what they bring to the classroom.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Follow-Up to the Interview
Most candidates focus on several aspects of preparing for the interview—careful preparation of the resume and portfolio, a mock interview, and finding appropriate professional dress. However, there is also work to be done after the interview.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Contract Ethics
As you progress through the job search process, there may be offers that come from school districts at job fairs, over the phone, or at the end of an interview. School districts feel that once a candidate has agreed and accepted a contractual offer that the candidate will honor their commitment. I know what you are saying, "this was a really short post and why would a personnel director make such a simple comment."
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Interviewing From The Employer's Perspective
Every graduate is eager to secure employment. Although most individuals don't prepare themselves very well. The preparation on the part of the individual will make the interview team much more understanding of what is being said and they can listen for passion and desire.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
So You Want A Job
For job seekers in the field of education, the spring of the year is a time filled with great anticipation. School districts around the country are moving in full swing to hire highly qualified staff for the upcoming school year. Having said that, the inevitable question is "what do I have to do to get a job?".
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
I Have a Job Offer - What Now?
We’re beginning to talk with excited clients who have actually been offered jobs. For you, that magic moment may be just around the corner. Will you be ready to make an informed job choice?
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
It’s April: Where is Your Job Search?
The end of the semester is drawing near. Student teachers are completing their final assignments, and some students (primarily special education, bilingual, math and science) have already signed contracts. If you are one of the many who do not yet have a job, use April and May wisely to ensure that you will be teaching in the fall.
Education
Opinion
Can’t Come to the Office? Email!
My title is “online advisor." The role is one that is still relatively unique, but it is rapidly gaining in popularity. Since most of our student teachers and alumni are NEVER on campus, we had to think of a way to bring our services to them. I advise education clients via a special email address (edresumes@niu.edu) that has been set up specifically for that purpose.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
How Will YOU Spend Your Summer?
Spring is in the air, and summer is fast approaching. Summer – the time when every education student’s thoughts turn to…work-related experience.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Thank-Yous Matter
In the wake of the spring Education Interview Day on our campus, I am reminded of, and wish to remind you of, the importance of writing thank-you letters to interviewers. I am sure that all of you have heard it before, and it seems minor, but in cases where multiple candidates have similar qualifications and experience, the thank you can make a difference.