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Notes from a Serial Interviewer. Getting the Job. Preparing to Look. Documents to prepare include: Cover Letter Resume Transcripts Letters of Recommendation References. Cover Letter. Make it personalized Put in important information Where you: Student taught (including practicum) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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GETTING THE JOB
Notes from a Serial Interviewer
Preparing to Look
Documents to prepare include:
Cover LetterResumeTranscriptsLetters of RecommendationReferences
Cover Letter
Make it personalized Put in important information
Where you:○ Student taught (including practicum)○ What types of ensembles you’ve worked with○ Extra duties you performed
Stayed after school for S&E and B&O rehearsals
Experience’s you’ve gained outside of your undergraduate requirements (field experience)
Resume Include any relevant information such as:
Substitute teaching Student teaching Practicum Marching band camps Performing ensembles Professional memberships Awards References
2 pages max
Keep it simple and easy to read
Other Documents Transcripts
Order several hard copies from WSU Scan into the computer in PDF format
Letters of Recommendation Student teaching and practicum experiences Other professional contacts (camps, etc.) Ensemble directors and other significant professors (Bianchi, Collins,
Markou, Tuohey, Vander Weg) Before you ask for a reference, make sure it’s going to be a good one!
References Compose a list of all significant references that can be distributed when
asked for. Ask for permission to place someone on your reference list (common
courtesy and allows you to gage whether that person is going to say positive things about you).
Key Points Presentation is everything
These documents are your first impression when applying for positions
For printed copies, buy professional quality paper
Keep electronic copies of everything (www.primopdf.com – free PDF software)
Looking for Positions
Where to look:
Your Network Job Fairs Consortium Websites State Education Websites State Music Education Websites National Music Education Websites Teacher Employment Websites
Your Network
NETWORK! State Conferences (MMC, TMEA, Etc.) Regional Conferences (Midwest,
CBDNA) Music Stores (A&G, Eastside, Marshall) Attend an MSBOA Meeting Practicum Co-op Teacher Student Teaching Co-op Teacher
Job Fairs
Bring several hard copies of your “packet”
Dress professionally!
Often times there are on-site interviews that take place
EMU COE Job Fair: 04/15/2010WSU’s was this past week!
Consortium Websites
Oakland Human Resources Consortiumwww.oakland.k12.mi.us/OHRC
Washtenaw Human Resources Consortiumwww.wash.k12.mi.us/hr/jobs.cfm
Only 2 of many examples
State Education Websites Some states require district postings,
others do not
Differ from consort. sites in that these are strictly postings and you must apply for each one separately.
Selected State Websites Michigan
www.mireap.net - mostly charter school jobs http://mich.info/michigan/education/schooldistricts.htm - district list
Kentucky http://apps.kdc.state.ky.us/keps/index.cfm
New Jersey www.njhire.com
Massachusetts www.doe.mass.edu/jobs
Illinois www.isbe.state.il.us/employment.htm
State Music Websites
These are professional state music organization websites such as:Michigan School Band & Orchestra Assoc.
○ www.msboa.orgTexas Music Educators Association
○ www.tmea.orgTexas Bandmasters Association
○ www.texasbandmasters.orgCalifornia Music Educators Association
○ www.calmusiced.com
National Music Education Websites MENC
www.menc.org
Midwest Clinicwww.midwestclinic.org
Teacher Employment Websites
Teachers-Teacherswww.teachers-teachers.com
School Springwww.schoolspring.com
K12 Job Spotwww.k12jobspot.com
Education Americawww.educationamerica.net
Applying for Positions How to apply:
Hard copy submission○ If mailed, send it certified.○ If hand delivered, ask for the name of the person
receiving your materials.
Email submission○ See example
Website submission
The Interview You will usually receive a call with an
appointment time. “Are you available Saturday at 3:00am?” The answer is yes!
Two basic types of interviews:Phone
○ Make sure you’re in a quiet spot○ Make sure you have good cell phone reception○ Maybe a glass of Scotch(?)
In-person
In-Person Interview Dress appropiately
Gentlemen: ○ Dress slacks, white shirt, solid or “prep-school” tie,
blazer
Ladies:○ Think conservative. Dress pants or appropiate length
skirt (pretty much all said pants are better though). Well-tailored blouse, jacket twin set. High heels should be day appropriate. Simple jewelry. Easy on the cologne and makeup.
We will discuss questions in a moment.
Getting an Offer First of all, realize that offers are going to be far and few between.
Prepare for lots of “Thanks, but no thanks” letters. I have tons of those! Don’t let that get you down.
It is acceptable to ask for 24 hours to think about the offer and/or to ask for time to make your decision due to an upcoming ALREADY SCHEDULED interview.
Just because you have an offer doesn’t mean you have to accept the job.
Be upfront with all parties if you have multiple offers.
Realize that you’re not going to get your dream job your first year out. Learn from my mistake. Any job is better than no job!
Things to ConsiderCost of living vs salary
Is there a stipend for all of the “extra” things the music teacher does (marching band, pep band, etc.)
Are the arts supported in that school?
Do you often see jobs in this school district posted? This is a warning sign…
Are relocation expenses covered?
Can you handle moving away from family/friends?
Best of luck!
Anthony M. Messina
Feel free to contact me with any questions or if you need someone to look over your documents (cover letter, resume, etc.).
