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Article Excerpt
Part one of this two-part article, published in the January issue, addressed the preliminary documentation aspects of the job-hunting process. Part two continues by providing guidance on the more "interactive" components. These include: (1) the application process, (2) using a teaching portfolio as a marketing tool, (3) interview strategies and guidelines, (4) job search techniques, and (5) available resources.
Application Process
The application process can be overwhelming if good organizational and management skills are not employed. Therefore, this section addresses the application and hiring process, guidelines for completing the application form, and strategies for managing your applications.
Application and Hiring Process. The application process itself entails several steps that may vary slightly from one school system to the next. Table 1 provides a fairly succinct overview of the application and hiring process in general.
The first step in the application process involves searching for teaching vacancies. Search techniques will be detailed later in this article. The second step is to request teaching applications from school systems of interest. This request can be made in writing, by phone, or via email. During step three, you will submit a cover letter, resume, and completed application to each chosen school system.
Submitting reference letters or forms is the fourth step in the application process. The process by which you submit your references tends to vary from school system to school system. Some school systems send reference forms to applicants, along with the application itself. If so, you are requested to either return the completed reference forms with your application, or have them submitted directly by the individuals completing them. Alternatively, contact information for references is provided on the teaching application form. Once received, the school system requests a completed reference form from those individuals listed on your application. The completed reference form is subsequently submitted directly to the school system.
During the fifth step, you will request your university to submit your teaching credentials (transcripts, etc.) to each school system, if required. Once again, the procedure may vary, depending on the institution. Typically, this ends the paperwork portion of the application process.
Following a sufficient period of time, you should confirm receipt of all teaching application materials, credentials, and references submitted to each school system (step six). This can be easily accomplished with a phone call. Concurrently, you may inquire about the current status of the position for which you applied. Are they still accepting applications? Has the review of applications begun? How far along is the school system in the interview process? While bringing closure to your phone conversation, reaffirm your interest in the position once again.
When the school system deadline for receiving applications has arrived, school administrators begin the review process and select teacher candidates they wish to interview (step seven). The interview itself constitutes step eight. This step will be addressed in detail in the "Interview Strategies and Guidelines" section of this article. After the interview process is completed, administrators will rank candidates in terms of first, second, and third choices. The first-choice candidate will then be contacted and offered the position. Step nine is the teacher candidate's acceptance or rejection of the offer. If the candidate elects to accept the offer, he or she will sign a teaching contract with the school system (step ten). The eleventh and final step in the process occurs when the board of education approves the hiring of the selected teacher candidate.
Guidelines for Completing the Teaching Application. Most of these guidelines relate to writing mechanics. First, take your time completing the application. Read the entire application through before starting. This gives you a complete picture of all the information that must be provided. Before beginning to fill Out the application, it is suggested that you photocopy the document and complete a "working draft" on the photocopy. If the application requests information that does not apply to you specifically, write "N/A" in the space provided. Also, be selective when listing previous jobs and volunteer work. Select only those most applicable for the specific position for which you are applying. Your resume will serve as an excellent resource as you complete the application.
Once the working draft is completed, seek out an individual to check the application for errors. Like the cover letter and resume, the application represents you; therefore, ensuring an error-free document is critical....
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