Published
September 10, 2012
At some point in your job search process you created a resume. This article asks you to examine that resume with a dispassionate, clinical eye in order to present you and your qualifications in the best possible light.
Meaningless awards and affiliations
The badges you earned while you were a Boy Scout meant a great deal at the time. But they are not relevant in an employment application. On the other hand if you were a National Merit Scholar, that deserves a line. Put that right before the entry about your Fulbright Scholarship or Rhodes Scholarship. Ok, you get the point. Anything to do with academic achievement is something to be proud of. On a private school employment application academic achievement trumps just about everything else. At a minimum it should get you an interview. Remember: you will be teaching young people who want to learn. Your strong academic performance can and will inspire your students.
Outlandish hobbies and interests
Everything in your job application should support the impression which you are trying to create in the reader's mind. "This is somebody we need to interview." You will be teaching young people. They will have enough off the wall influences of their own. The school would rather hire adults who can be exemplars and role models of steadiness and resolve. Their clientele, i.e., parents, expect that and much more. Mainstream hobbies and interests will not raise red flags. Include one or two on your application. Since you are being interviewed for a teaching...
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Published
February 12, 2012
Ever since the great recession of 2008, finding a job - any job - has become progressively more difficult for everybody, private school teachers and administrators included. One way to get your resume noticed, perhaps even read in detail, is by creating value. Here's how.
Why You Need to Project Value Private schools have historically valued staff who are well-credentialed, enthusiastic and flexible. The reason why stems from the reality that private schools have just as many staff as they need. No more. What that means is that when there are gaps in the team , for whatever reason, the school needs somebody to fill that gap competently and cheerfully. On the fly.
Indications of Value
Credentials Start with your credentials. Make certain that your academic qualifications align with the school's stated requirements as well as offering an additional specialty or two. For example, if you have a Masters in French language and literature and are applying for the school's French teacher position, it won't hurt to be proficient in Spanish or Portugese or Italian as well.
If it has been several years since you completed your formal graduate studies, be sure to offer some recent courses, workshops and seminars which you have attended. It is important to show your prospective employer that you have not stopped learning. Make sure that there is no expiration on your "Sell By" date.
Experience Experience can be an advantage. But be aware that in these very competitive times your experience could also be a disadvantage. Years ago...
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Published
December 14, 2011
It's kind of scary to realize that most openings for teaching positions regularly draw dozens of applications. Sometimes houndreds of applications. These are tough times. Thousands of public school teachers have lost their jobs since the downturn began back in 2008. Thousands more new teachers are looking for their first job. While many applicants might well prefer to teach in the public system or at the tertiary level, the realities of the job market mean that they will be competing for private school positions. Here are some tips to help you cope with the job search process in these tough times.
Be realistic.
Be realistic in your expectations both of the position being applied for. More importantly you must understand that finding a teaching position in a private school takes some planning and effort. If you are not prepared or cannot invest the required
time and effort, then you need to consider other options.
Finding a teaching job is not like searching for a managerial or sales job. Those kinds of jobs in the business world are open throughout the year. Teaching positions on the other hand begin in the late summer or the begging of the academic year and end in the late spring or at the end of the academic year. In order to secure a teaching position for next fall you need to begin the process in November or December at the latest. Contracts are renewed in February and March in most schools. You want to be in a position...
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Published
March 12, 2011
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. What exactly is the difference between the two?
Strictly speaking, a letter of interest is used when you are inquiring about a position or positions which have not been specifically advertised by the school. You will, however, find letter of interest and cover letter used interchangeably.
A cover letter is the letter which you send along with your application, resume and whatever supporting materials the school has specified.
Why do the two letters seem to be the same thing and have the same use? Simply because employers don't always know which one to ask for. Consequently they will ask for a letter of interest when they really mean a cover letter. Here's how to write each kind of letter.
The Letter of Interest Strictly speaking, as we noted above, a letter of interest is what is called in the trade a 'prospecting letter'. No specific job has been advertised at the school to which we plan to send a letter of interest. It just happens to be an institution in which you are very interested. You also feel that your credentials and experience might be a good match for the school's requirements. So you are writing a letter of interest which is unsolicited.
Follow this guide to produce a letter of interest. Don't simply copy and paste letters which you see on the web. Always edit and customize...
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Published
March 12, 2011
When we advertise a position, we expect to receive hundreds of applications and resumes. Some of these are from people we know. Most are from people we do not know. Why should I look at your resume? Here are some reasons why your application will go onto the "Review" pile.
1. It is presented in the format which we specified.
Following instructions is a trait most employers value. As a result, a simple thing like following the instructions for how to apply for the job opening at our school is going to speak volumes about you. We use a standardized application form at our school in order to comply with all sorts of legal requirements. So, if you use something other than the form we specify, your chances of making the first cut are fairly slim. Some schools will let you choose the application format. Others are very specific. Follow each school's instructions to the letter.
For example, this school wants you to apply via email in a format you choose. "Please send resume to hr@xxxxx.edu with “Journalism” in the subject line."
This school wants you to send a formal application via snail mail: "Candidates for all faculty positions should send a letter of interest, resume, a list of three references and academic transcripts"
Yet another school cautions applicants: "Please do not submit any documents in PDF format."
The important thing for you to remember is that each school is unique. It does things its way. That, after all, is the essence of being a...
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PublishedMay 29, 2013
Ever wish you could pick the brain of A+ students? Well, we did it for you — we spoke with dozens of students and educators to find out their secrets for success.
About Boys' Schools: In Their Words
Here are a dozen or so boys' schools' public thoughts about themselves and their missions.
Marketing the Small Private School
Some marketing resources and tips for small private schools with limited marketing budgets.
Applying and Interviewing
How to apply and interview for a private school job
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Basics (23)
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Private School Jobs
Teaching in a private school is different from teaching in a public school. Find out more here including information on duties, compensation and where to find jobs.
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How to Find a Private School Job
You can send in a resume and use an agency, but the very best way to find a private school job is to use your network. You do have a network, don't you?
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Are You Liable?
Is your DEL key about to get gaveled? It doesn't matter whether you teach in a public or private school setting. You expose yourself to legal risks every single day on the job.
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Do I Need to be Certified?
Each state sets its own teacher certification requirements. While many private schools do not require you to be certified, it is in your best interests to obtain certification. This article includes contact information for state education offices so you can begin the process.
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What Do Teachers Make?
What do teachers make? Teachers' salaries vary from state to state, indeed, from school to school.
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Why Should We Renew Your Contract?
Here are some reasons and strategies for making sure that the school will renew your contract. Eagerly.
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Timeline for Finding a Private School Job
Finding a private school job takes time. Lots of time. This time line will focus your efforts on what has to be done and when it ideally should be done.
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Your Teaching Contract Hasn't Been Renewed?
Private school teachers are not unionized. So, if the school decides not to renew your contract, you have little recourse. Here are five suggestions for safe-guarding your employment.
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The Pros and Cons of Teaching Overseas
Hundreds of private schools, and for that matter, public schools, outside the United States will be happy to have you as a teacher for a few years.
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What About Teaching Overseas?
With the job market looking bleak, teaching is an option many recent college graduates are considering. Teaching overseas has all kinds of attractive features. We look at private school teaching jobs and explain what is involved in finding one, applying and more.
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What About Being an Intern?
Thinking of teaching in an independent school? Several schools have teaching internship programs. Here's what's involved.
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Is Your Network Keeping You Connected?
The non-unionized private school teacher has to create her own ways of staying connected. Staying connected keeps you informed and gives you a sense of solidarity.
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Do You Need a Rebranding?
If you have been teaching for a few years, chances are that you will need to consider rebranding yourself.
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Your Job Application: Making It Easy to Read
Making your job application easy to read will help your application make the first cut.
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Employing Foreign Nationals
Can non-U.S. teachers get employment in American private schools? The answer is "No" in 99.9% of cases.
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Job Search Resources
This guide is designed to provide teachers and administrators seeking employment in private schools a road map for the job search process.
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Looking for a Job: Easier When Employed or Unemployed?
Looking for a job in these tough economic times is a challenging process. But is it easier to do when you are employed or unemployed. It depends. Here are some answers.
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What's Your Marketability Quotient?
Finding a good job requires some market savvy.
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Private School Employment Do's and Don'ts
It's a tough job market out there. Observe these Do's and Donts to keep yourself ahead of the competition.
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Is Your Job Search So 2008?
If you have not looked for a job in the past several years, your job search probably needs a refresh. Here's how to do it.
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Conducting a Job Search Via Social Media
Social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and Facebook offer special opportunities for the private school job-seeker.
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Conducting a Job Search Via the Web
The Web offers job seekers all sorts of efficiencies. The same is true with respect to private school job searching.
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Your Job Search Is Taking Forever
A search for a teaching job in the midst of a severe recession takes much longer than it does in good economic times. Here's how to handle this situation.
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Teaching (10)
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How Do You Become a Private School Teacher?
How do you become a private school teacher? We look at internships, licensing and more.
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Gay Teachers
Several prep schools have pushed the envelope of diversity by allowing committed same sex couples to live on campus in school housing.
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A Teacher's Influence
Never underestimate the influence you have on your students. You may not think that you are getting through, but you are! This little bit of fiction shows the influence teachers had on some famous people.
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Becoming a Teacher Later
Many people have successful careers only to realize that something is missing. Teaching can satisfy that missing 'something'. Explore the possibilities of becoming a teacher in your 30's, 40's and even your 50's.
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Be Careful What You Post in Facebook!
Teachers need to learn how to be Facebook savvy. Otherwise Facebook will cause them lots of problems.
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What Is Praxis?
Praxis is part of the teacher licensing process many states require.
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Are You a 21st Century Teacher?
21st century schools need 21st century teachers. Are you a 21st century teacher?
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Don't Leave Any Evidence!
Future and current employers can find out all sorts of things about you these days. Make sure that you don't leave behind any damning electronic evidence.
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The Private School Survival Guide for Teachers
There are several differences between teaching in a private school versus teaching in a public school.
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Blogs, Pods and More
Education blogs, podcasts and sites worth a read and a listen.
Note: Data has been gathered from the Dept. of Education, schools, and commercial data sources.
