I recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Judith Berry, the superintendent of Scottsboro City schools in Northeast Alabama for a research project in a business writing class. From the interview, I walked away so confident in understanding the hiring process for teachers that I felt a burden lifted ceremonious off my shoulders. Before talking with her, I honestly had no idea how people went able actually obtaining a teaching job. She explained the process in intense detail and gave me invaluable advice on ways to make myself stand out from the other applicants and I want to share all these pointers with everyone else.
1. Sell yourself - Don't be afraid to go into detail why you deserve the job. This isn't a time to be humble. Let the interviewer (usually the principal) know you are a capable employee with the kids on your mind.
2. Add attachments to the applications - some people do not know that adding attachments to an application is not only okay, it is seen as extra help in the principal's decision process. You can add examples of your proficiency in using technology in the class (which the superintendent looks heavily upon) or anything you think will help you stand out.
3. Show that you are a team player - principals and superintendents want someone who works well with others and if you show you might not have that quality, you won't get the job.
4. State in your application that you are willing to coach or sponsor a club - academics come first but if the principal finds an applicant with great recommendations and a good degree who can also coach a sport, they will be picked over someone who can only teach.
All four of these pointers do not guarantee a job for anyone but Dr. Berry said that if you strive to be your best, these four qualities will only make you chances of getting a job even greater (personal communications, February 11, 2011).
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