Making It Accurate and Truthful

Finding a private school job was fairly simple years ago. You kept your resume and curriculum vitae up to date, did a bit of networking, attended a couple of professional conferences and that was pretty much it. News of job openings would come your way. You followed up with your application, were interviewed and, hopefully, won the appointment. It doesn't work that way any more.

As a result many teachers and administrators used to doing things the old way will look askance at the idea of using online sites and online tools to conduct their private school job search. I would suggest that you might want to think twice before you cast aspersions on these new ways of finding a job. You just might be on your way to becoming a digital dinosaur. Now, you wouldn't want to be a digital dinosaur, would you?

First of all, understand that online tools are simply that - tools. A chisel in the hands of a novice makes clumsy cuts and produces amateurish results. The same is true of most online tools and social media. You need to learn how to use them effectively to land the job you really want. Each of these tools and applications is effective when used by itself. But for the best results I recommend that you use all of them. Using these new tools effectively takes practice and patience. You cannot realistically expect results within hours of your first posts. Give it time.

Let's focus

It sounds simple enough, but one of the most important things you must do when looking for a teaching job is to make sure your qualifications match the requirements of the position being offered. If you don't make that crystal clear in your resume and cover letter, you might not even make the first cut when your application is opened and reviewed.

Let's look at a typical job posting and review how it should be handled. This is a real job posting. The name of the school has been changed to protect its identity.

This guide is designed to provide teachers and administrators seeking employment in private schools a road map for the job search process. It is written for teachers as well as admissions and business office professionals and those seeking positions as dean of students and head of school.You will find plenty of practical advice about applying, networking, using job boards and much more.

• Apply Correctly by:
  • Following a Traditional Format
  • Making It Easy to Read
  • Matching Your Qualifications
  • Making It Accurate and Truthful
  • Making Your Application Impressive
  • Writing a Perfect Cover Letter

• Manage your Job Search Process by:
  • Building Your Network
  • Being Active Professionally
  • Conducting a Job Search Via Social Media
  • Conducting a Job Search Via the Web
  • Preparing Professional References

• Manage Job Interviews by:
  • Presenting Yourself Successfully
  • Handling Various Interview Scenarios
  • Answering the Expected Questions
  • Answering the Unexpected Questions
  • Asking Good Questions

• Protect Your Attitude & Morale if:
  • Your Credentials Need Realigning
  • You Were Terminated
  • You Are Currently Unemployed
  • Your Job Search is Taking Forever

• Working with Agencies and Recruiters
  • The Truth About Search Firms
  • How to Work with Agencies & Recruiters

It's a very competitive job market. The economy has forced schools public and private on every level to cut their teaching staffs. As a result, when you begin to look for a job as a teacher or administrator in a private school, you will face serious competition from other private school teachers, public teachers, business people and even graduate students who cannot find a college teaching job. Observe these Do's and Don'ts to keep yourself ahead of the competition and land the private school job of your dreams.

DO: Use your network.
Arguably the best way to find a job in a private school is by using your network. These are friends and colleagues who know you, indeed have known you for years, and can talk enthusiatically about you and your skills as a teacher or administrator. Networking is all about meeting people and staying in touch with them. How do you do that? Use all the social and professional networking tools out there. They cost little but reap huge rewards. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and blogs allow you to exchange ideas and comments as well as see what's going on. Professional sites give you an opportunity to become known in the private school community.

DON'T: Use weak references.
When you submit your job application, you will be asked to include 3-5 references. These people will be called if you make the short list. You must make sure that your references include former employers and supervisors who will speak