Diversity Teacher Recruitment Stategies

How to Get the Teaching Job You Want
job opportunity + job interview = job offer

With Today’s economy under such vacillating turmoil, job searching is something that relegates a keen sense of preparation. The fact that there are more candidates than jobs makes it imperative to be competitive in a talent pool that is rich, if not saturated. To stay on top of the competitive pile, it is necessary to mitigate all obstacles that can potentially keep you from landing the perfect job. By constantly polishing your skills and learning how to present yourself as a key value add to your industry, you invariably increase your chances of landing on your feet in the midst of a volatile employment climate.

Making a living is important. Through preparation, presentation and follow up, you can increase your overall job prospects and land your perfect job in the midst of a tumultuous economy. In short, plan your work and then work your plan.

Picking the right fit: Doing your Due Diligence

To know if the company you are seeking employment with is the right fit for you, do your homework. Information gathering is a necessary precursor to establishing a long lasting and concrete relationship between you and your future employer.

Here are some methods to consider to help you get a better understanding of two things—the position they seek to fill and an overall snapshot of the hiring organization.

Review the potential job’s academic profile and website. Research who they are, how long they have been in business and whether, or not they have any noteworthy accomplishments in the recent past. By knowing a little about the company (and if possible the individuals you will be working with) prior to your interview, you give them a reason to recognize that you are a strong candidate and thorough in your preliminary investigative skills.

What direction are they going? Does the school talk about increasing its visibility through technology or community activities, etc.? If so, you may be in a position to platform certain skills that assist them in their overall growth process, thus enhancing your prospect desirability.

Assess your skills. It is of great benefit to you to ensure that you are aware of what talents you have and whether, or not they will translate well into the position that you are applying for. There is nothing worse than being on an interview for a position that seeks a skill set or talent for which you are ill prepared.

Understand the Scope of Work—essentially you must know your audience and cater to their needs. If a position becomes available that you are interested in applying to, and it requires special skills and training, it’s important to know this before applying for the position. This saves time on both ends. Understand your range, and work within it.

Talent Assessment: Know yourself and what skills you bring to the table

Hard Skills

Education – Training and certifications. Remember, knowledge increases your overall value.
Strategic Agility – This skill anticipates and adapts to future trends, and leverages resources to maximize organization effectiveness.
Computer Savvy
Time management – This skill is maximized by learning how to manage competing priorities.
Integrating new concepts.
Conflict management - In a teaching environment, conflict is inevitable. The way in which it is mitigated is crucial to your overall value to the organization.
Driving performance – Maintain the ability to produce consistent performance from your students by remaining creative, engaging and pliable.

Soft Skills

Interpersonal Savvy – Builds collaborative, constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
Organizational agility – Ability to utilize formal channels and informal networks to get things done, anticipates needs of colleagues and students.
Result orientation – Proactive, balancing competing priorities, accountability.
Communication – Fosters growth by actively listening, respectively encourages communication, and delivers oral and written communications with clarity.
Values – Acts with integrity and is trustworthy.
Passion, enthusiasm, confidence, purpose and flexibility

Resume and Cover Letter: Putting your best on paper

A resume is an overview of your professional skill set, and is, in fact, a marketing tool to sell yourself as a capable and desired professional. With this in mind, consider how you want your resume to be read. As you check out jobs, consider which area is of most interest to you. Go back, look over your resume and decide if your resume puts you in the best light for the type of job that you are applying for.

A strong, well-written cover letter (although not mandatory) does help. The purpose of the cover letter is to introduce yourself and your interest in the role you are applying for. It provides a broad stroke of your teaching objectives, skill level and professional interests. Avoid stating inflated opinions of yourself; instead stick to the facts. Keep it concise and to the point and try not to be redundant (remember, your resume will be attached, which will provide the greater details of your skill set). It’s alright to reveal a bit of personality in your cover letter, but keep it professional. Avoid fancy fonts and graphics, which can be distracting. Make sure to include current contact information.

Proper Interview and business place attire: Looking the part

Interviews are set to establish your level of aptitude and fit for a position, so be prepared and be on time. When it comes to an interview and making a strong first impression, being on time means arriving at least 15 minutes early.

Be professional. Suits are always a safe bet. Women who choose to wear a skirt should also wear stockings. Stick to traditional colors such as navy, black, brown, beige, gray (preferably charcoal) taupe, and maroon (women only).

Interview: Thinking on your feet – What to be prepared for

On the surface, most interviews are established to see if you are qualified for the role that they are seeking to fill. However, there is an underlying objective besides your skill set that is being evaluated: that is how well you will integrate into the culture or environment (i.e., are you a team player)? This being said, understanding the nature of the questions being posed by the interviewer is key.

Power questions for your interviewer: Things you need to know to better asses your fit

Are you open to new ideas within the classroom? If so, how does one go about plat forming them?

Are you supportive of those pursuing educational goals outside of work? If so, is their a program in place that I can gain information and support from?

What is the school’s policy towards faculty resources and/or training opportunities for students and staff?

What percentage of this role is administrative?

Closing the Deal: Negotiating strategies

Save questions about salary and benefits until candidacy interest has been solidified.

If you are the candidate they seek, they will take the time to bring you up to speed on the comprehensive compensation package.

It is always a nice touch to thank your interviewer for the opportunity to meet with them, and considering you for the position. There are a few ways to do this. The standard way is to place a Thank you card or letter in the mail no less than 24 hours after the meeting. It is also acceptable to send a Thank you email as well. Make sure to include something you learned in the interview, something you liked about the position, and lastly (but most importantly), something that will remind them of why you are the best candidate for the job.

Final Tips

With preparation, diligence and through canvassing of job prospects, your dream job is not elusive. Networking is also a wonderful way to utilize the abundant resources available, and help you to stay on top of the job market. Finally, take the time to take a strength finder test to assess your skills. Above all, be confident and do NOT give up. Your perfect teaching job is just around the corner. TOC

Related information:

Find A School District Committed to Diversity

Special Education Teachers in Demand