Job Search and Application Process

If you are looking for a teaching job, then you probably understand how tough the employment situation is. Because of significant budget cuts in the public school sector, tens of thousands of qualified, experienced teachers are looking for employment. Add to that very sizable candidate pool all the newly-minted teachers graduating from our nation's 670 accredited schools of education. You can readily see how competitive the market is. Naturally, some areas of the country are more severely impacted than others. Within those areas, there will be a few school districts in a few communities that can hold their own. The issue with public school funding has much to do with the fact that a substantial portion of a school district's budget comes from local property taxes. School districts in affluent communities usually will fare better than districts with a decreasing tax base.

While this oversupply of experienced, qualified teachers is an advantage for private schools because it increases the applicant pool, this situation makes it much more competitive for those who want to secure a private school teaching job. Finding employment in a private school works differently than finding employment in the public sector. I suggest that you review my Job Search Resources to understand the mechanics of finding private school employment. I have covered the subject from every angle I could think of. I also spent 17 years in the corporate environment where one of my responsibilities was interviewing and hiring. It

I can just hear you thinking to yourself: "Why on earth would I need a rebranding?" Signs that you might need a rebranding include the reality that you are invisible to prospective employers and, almost as bad, your credentials have begun to look kind of 2000-ish. Rebranding. Makeover. Facelift. Call it whatever you wish. But it all amounts to the same thing. Or does it? Rebranding, you see, is intrinsically much more focused than a simple makeover or a facelift. Let's see what is involved.

What is rebranding?

Rebranding sounds like something Proctor and Gamble might do with a tired soap brand. The product does a great job, but it has lost the appeal it once had in the marketplace. Are you beginning to see how this might have some relevance to a private school teacher? Rebranding yourself as a dynamic teacher with vision, expertise in her subject and the skills to create excitement in the classroom will push your candidacy for the position you want to the front of the pack. Or you can leave things as they were. The choice is yours.

Remember: it is a fiercely competitive job market in the second decade of the 21st century. Schools have hundreds of highly qualified and experienced candidates from which to choose. Why should they look at you? They should look at you because the rebranded you seems fresh, relevant, and perfect for position they have open.

Who is a candidate for rebranding?

Unless you have an

Depending on the instructions you read on a private school's employment page, you may be directed to send a letter of interest or a cover letter. While most businesses use online application forms with automated responses, most private schools still use analog cover letters as part of their employment application processes. Successful private schools want to identify exceptional candidates through a comprehensive, hands-on evaluation of their academic credentials, teaching abilities, and commitment to extracurricular leadership, ensuring a new teacher brings both classroom excellence and enrichment expertise. The ideal teacher demonstrates not only subject mastery and pedagogical skills but also shows enthusiasm for coaching sports or leading an extracurricular activity.

Now, some people think a letter of interest is the same as a cover letter. But they are not the same. What, then, exactly, is the difference between these two letters, and how do you compose them?

Canva generated this photo of a teacher writing a cover letter.

What is a letter of interest?

Strictly speaking, you compose and send a letter of interest when a prospective employer requests you do so.

• In the sense that a letter of interest is a letter written to accompany your resume and other required documentation,
• it functions almost the same as a cover letter.
• But there is a major difference.
• The letter of interest gives a snapshot of what makes you worth interviewing.

Remember the mechanics involved here.

• A staff

Are You the Right Person for Our Job?/

In this article, I will assume the role of the school that is advertising a position.

• I want you to see and understand what goes on behind the scenes as applications come in online, via email or snail mail.
• With that knowledge, I know that you will take the extra time and care necessary to submit the kind of application that will make the first cut.
• After all, you need to make it to the interview stage.
• Otherwise, all bets are off.
• I will present the school and its thinking. I will follow that with my editorial comments and advice.

Canva generated this picture of a teacher looking at a school website.

The School: When we advertise a position, we expect to receive hundreds of applications and resumes.

• Some of these are from people whom we know; however, most of the applications are from people we do not know.
• Tell me now, why should I look at your resume?
• Here are some reasons why your application will go onto the "Review" pile.

1. You presented your application in the format that we specified.

School: Following instructions is a trait most employers value. As a result, a simple thing like following the instructions on how to apply for the job opening at our school speaks well of you. We use a standardized application form at our school in order to comply

Let's think about the employment process from the employer's point of view. The person who will interview you has a list of reasons why she might want to hire you. Your task is to convince her that she can safely check all the boxes and report to her superior that you are ideal for the opening. To make that happen, here are some points to ponder.

The premise

First of all, assume that I am the head of school at a private school in the suburbs of a major American city. Our school serves students in grades Prekindergarten through Post Graduate year. There are essentially three schools within our community: a lower, a middle and an upper school. We offer a fairly traditional college preparatory program in our high school. We currently have 16 Advanced Placement courses. While the academic programs have their own distinctive components, we share facilities and staff across the curriculum as needed. We offer an extensive range of clubs and extracurricular activities which are guided by our faculty. Our sports program is professionally directed; however, we expect our faculty to assist with sports which they have played or to coach a team where we do not have a professional coach.

Note: You should be able to discover all of this information from the school's website. It is relatively easy to discern the main features of the various programs at that source. Do this as part of your preparation for the interview. You will