JOB SEARCHING FOR TEACHERS

Presented by:

Kim Meredith, LPC, NCC

Assistant Director, Career Counselor(678) 547-6584 meredith_kc@mercer.edu

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014

MERCER MACON CAMPUS UNIVERSITY CENTER9:30 A.M.

SIGN-UP NOT REQUIREDPROFESSIONAL ATTIRE AND RÉSUMÉ REQUIRED

Teacher Recruitment FairProvided by the Mercer Career Services Office

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014

MERCER ATLANTA CAMPUSAACC BUILDING1:00 – 4:30 P.M. SIGN-UP IS NOT REQUIRED

*This event is open to the public. Mercer participants are given a chance to talk to recruiters first, from 1:00-1:30, before the event opens to the public at 1:30 p.m.

www.GISA-schools.org Optional

Event

ResumesA Marketing & Sales Tool.

Your Résumé Must Be:

CrispConciseCompellingHigh Impact

Resumes

Should showcase your achievements or contributions, not just list your past jobs

Should tell the results or impact of your work

Should consider the needs of the employer (from researching) and tailor what you have to offer around their needs

Should use educational jargon

What is a High-Q / HQ Teacher?

Teachers are considered to be highly qualified if they have:

1) a bachelor’s degree

2) full State certification

3) demonstrated competence in subject knowledge teaching skills

From the Georgia Professional Standards

TOP of your resume:

List Your Bachelor’s Degree Name of Degree

“Expected Month/Year” Name of Granting Institution: Mercer University GPA (if above 3.0) Honors / Societies

Not Certified Yet, But List these: “Passed GACE Content Exam, Month/Year” T4 Early Childhood T4 Middle Grades: “Math & Science”

Sell Your Competence! Consider these sections:

“Qualifications” “Strengths” “Profile”

High-Q Definition

a Bachelor’s Degree

Full State Certification

demonstrated competence in… subject knowledge And teaching skills

Resumes Should Stress That You Are High-Q!

Mercer A. Student1001 Atlanta Drive ♦ Atlanta, GA 30341 ♦ 404-222-0000

Mercerstudent@hotmail.com ♦ www.mercerstudent.com

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERPassion and proven track record for teaching SWD to excel!

QUALIFICATIONS Experience in teaching collaborative classes during my student teaching which included students with EBD, SLD, ADHD, and OHI Focused teaching strategies to meet the needs of SWD - resulted in a 30% increase in mastery of GP standards in writing during student

teaching Researched effective strategies to teach writing and reading comprehension to SWD for my Adolescent Development and Learning,

Teaching Exceptional Learners, and Research classes at Mercer University Awarded Teacher of the Month during student teaching for my commitment to helping students achieve mastery of GP standards for

reading comprehension and writing Received the following praise for my Analysis of Student Learning: “This is one of the best Analysis of Student Learning that I have ever

received. You were very thorough with supporting details and you actually learned from the experience. Fantastic job .” Somebody Here, University Supervisor

Georgia T4 Teaching Certificate - Expected May 2011Early Childhood and Special Education General Curriculum Consultative (P-12)

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED) Expected May 2011 Mercer University, Atlanta, GA GPA: 3.71

Sample Top ½ of a Resume - Shows Critical Selling Points!

Classic Clichés to Avoid on Your Resume

“Planned, created, and instructed lessons”

“Assisted in the classroom instruction”

“Took attendance roll”

“Met with parents in conferences”

These are too

VAGUE!

Two Ways to Customize Your Teacher Résumé! (and avoid those clichés!)

1. Use the PSRV exercise to help you write your contributions and

achievements

2. Deconstruct the job description and use language from it to capture the reader

How to…

Get to Your Contributions/Achievements

PSRV Exercise: (just an exercise to get your thoughts rolling)

Problem/Issue/Challenge/Situation

Solution

Result

Value

Let’s Try

PSRV

Now!

How to…

Consider the Needs of the Employer

Deconstruct the Job Description (JD) This means analyze the JD thoroughly. Highlight key words and phrases. Make a list of the top three things that

the employer is looking for.

Some JD’s are short and not very informative

Dig deeper.

You Must Study the Employer’s Web Site!

Learn enough that you could deliver a thoughtful, fact-filled presentation to the employer, about themselves.

It’s just not optional…If you want to compete.

Let’s think of some

Educational

Jargon…

Here’s a great web site to help you create powerful phrases using educational jargon:

http://www.sciencegeek.net/lingo.html

Which Style Resume?CONSERVATIVE CREATIVE

Move Education to Top

Resumes Tips for CAREER CHANGERS

Use the “Rule of Relevance” to decide whether to include the experience in your resume

First, determine if your experience is in the Education field or outside the field (non-education)

Ask yourself if the experience in your past is relevant to your new teaching career.

EDUCATION

Experience•Relevant

NON-EDUCATIO

N Experience

•Relevant•Not Relevant

Yes! Sell this in your resume!

Yes! Sell this in your resume!

List in the employment history, but de-emphasize it by shortening the content.

#1 Turn-off for recruiters…

Poor writing skills.• Poorly written email to the recruiter

• Mistakes in grammar or typos in any of your communication

• Unprofessional looking in format

• Being informal – use of lowercase, jargon, chat/text talk, etc.

You will be disqualified!

Your Job Search

A positive outlook!

Job Outlook for Teachers

Source:O Net

web site

TeachGeorgia.org currently has 270 openings posted.

Elementary Teachers

Middle SchoolTeachers

100 Best Jobs of 2013(U.S. News & World Report)

School Pyschologist - #13Speech-Language Pathologist - #28

High School Teacher - #38Elementary School Teacher - #45Middle School Teacher - #52Pre-School Teacher - #55School Counselor - #59

Leverage Your Job Search by Becoming Involved

in a Professional Organization!

GAE – Georgia Association of Educators

• www.gae2.org

PAGE – Professional Association of Georgia Educators

• www.pageinc.org

References

Select your people wisely.Ask their permission and keep them abreast of your search at all times!

A reference that’s not strong can hurt you.

(Despite having superior quality resume, cover letter and appearance.)

References List

• Should match font and overall look of Résumé

• 3 people is enough

•Only those who can attest to your strengths as a Teacher!

•Separate document from Résumé

•Usually not needed at a fair

References FORM

• Required by School System

A web-based resource tool for educators in Georgia

Apply for teaching jobs in Georgia school systems in one place

Announces job fairs, information sessions and upcoming events

Georgia’s Official Recruitment Clearinghouse

WWW.TEACHGEORGIA.ORG

Set up a profile today!

Be attentive to the fact that some counties prefer their own application system rather than

the TeachGA application.

What the Recruiters Say

For ECSP graduates: they are very interested in your dual certification!

For MIGR graduates: Math and Science are highly sought!

For all: Special Education Teachers are needed!

Principals have access to search through the applicants They can see your resume, references, cover letters…everything!

Human Resources professionals are usually not knowledgeable about LiveText But, principals might be.

You MUST Build Relationships with People! Network!

Student teaching in the county is seen as a plus

Job Search ResourcesCheck out the articles below:

50 Great Questions for Teacher InterviewsThe questions principals ask during interviews are key to drawing out the personalities of applicants and selecting the right people. Prepare for your next interview by learning the questions principals might ask!

The Interview: Principals Share 30 Favorite Questions for Future TeachersEducation World's "Principal Files" principals share 30 of their favorite questions to ask applicants.

Character(istics) Count! -- What Principals Look for When Hiring New TeachersA recent article on Teaching for Excellence discusses what school principals look for in the new teachers they hire. Which of 15 "can-do" characteristics is most important? Education World asks the Principal Files principals.

From the Principal Files: Principals Offer Advice to Job SeekersHave a plan, a portfolio, and a good attitude! That's just some of the advice Education World's Principal Files principals have for soon-to-be college grads looking for their first teaching positions.

Are You Ready for That Job Interview?It's that time of year -- school districts are recruiting for fall teaching vacancies. If you dread the interview process, here are some tips that can help you prepare and boost your self-assurance.

What Qualities Do Principals Look for in a New Teacher? What do school principals look for in the new teachers they hire? Principals' responses to that question might help others -- principals and teaching candidates -- as they focus their thoughts on the interviews ahead.

Consider Relocating!

Consider Other Employment!

Certified Teachers are needed by other employers.

Develop a List of 10-20“non-School System” Target Employers

For a list of ideas, see document entitled “Alternate Employment for Certified Teachers” (provided by Career Counselor)

Job Search Advice

Job search through Google For example, this site was found:

Search professional organizations

When using engines, use keywords other than “teacher”

• Education• Adolescent• Mentor/tutor• Coach• Training• Continuing Education• Curriculum• Advisor• Instruction or Instructor

Can your attire hurt your teaching career?

Hello Recruiter, My name is…

Wear an interview suit to recruitment fairs!

(and interviews)

What do I wear?

Teachers Are Professionals

Showing up at the Recruitment Fair looking like a polished professional will empower you and give you confidence!

Women Matching two-piece suit

(pant or skirt suit)

Tailored fit (not too tight)

Color: navy, grey, taupe, dark brown, tan, olive or black

Skirt should be knee-length with no inappropriate slits

Wear hosiery with a skirt!

Interview Suit

Interview Suit

These are all great!

NO! These are unsuitable

for career wear.

Interview Shoes for Women

Do not wear worn-out shoes

NOT These Shoes!Heel too

high.

Cleavage is Not Appropriate.

No!

Interview SuitMen

A two piece matched suitSolid or pin-stripedTailored fit, including pants length. Navy, dark grey, dark brown, olive or black Briefcase or portfolio instead of backpack

Crisp

Neat Clean

Well-Pressed

Sloppy

Lack of Neatness

Interview Shoes for Men

Not:

Details of Grooming

Career Fairs

Yes, they are still effective.

Talking to Recruiters at Fairs

Be prepared with your WOW elevator speech

Practice it BEFORE the event

Try speaking to a recruiter at a county that’s not one of your top choices, FIRST

Listen to people in front of you or at other tables

Know your strengths and weaknesses

Don’t get chatty, but don’t feel rushed

Close your conversation by asking for their business card

Nervous?

Having well-thought-out questions ready to ask can calm you.

Puts the “ball back in their court”

When To Use Your Elevator Speech

Career Fairs When responding to “Tell me about yourself”  Informational Interviewing  Networking  Interviewing  Happenstance meeting with a new person  Any social situation

Invest in a Pad-Folio $10 - $50

Can Be Used At:• Career Fairs• Interviews• Meetings• Conferences

What to bring to the fairMercer name badge & Mercer ID (Bearcard)

Several crisp copies of your resume Enough for employers you want to speak to + 3 Extra copies cannot be made at an event

Paper and pen

Breath mints

Reference sheet Lists at least three professional references See more info, include an example by clicking here

Sample of your work (just in case, not req’d) Career portfolio Sample lesson plan

Do Not Bring Large

Tote Bags and

Heavy Outerwear.

After the Fair

Follow up with recruiters within 48 hours with a thank-you letter/email. See sample.

Stay organized and keep track of who you spoke with, their contact information as well as materials you may have collected.

Student Login Link

go to:

WWW.MERCERPROFESSIONAL.ORG

View list of

participating

employers in your

BEARlink account!

Password for establishing a new BEARlink account: toby

www.MercerProfessional.org

To download this PowerPoint (to access live links) or to access other career related documents pertaining to the teaching profession,

Go To: www.MercerProfessional.orgClick: “Your Major”Then Click: “Education”

To-Do List

Mark your calendar for 2/13/14 -- MERCER TEACHER FAIR!

Identify your teaching strengths…brainstorm and list them!

Research prospective employers

Draft your resume

Draft your cover letter

Get resume and cover letter critiqued

Purchase an interview suit

Identify your reference people and talk to them

Polish your resume & cover letter and tailor to specific employer

Complete and submit online employment applications

Write your elevator speech

Practice your elevator speech and handshake