Applying for jobs

Here's an interesting tip that you should try.  Even though most applications are online now, once you have filled out that, go ahead and send a hard copy of your resume, a cover letter, etc. to the school.  Not many people do this, and it might help separate you from the lazy candidates who don't send in that information.

South Carolina Center for Educational Recruitment

Click on the link to the left and check out other states that might have such sites. Thanks to Ben Kretz for this one!

Interview Tips for Teachers

Top Ten Tips for Interviewees

1. Make sure you know as much as possible about the school district. Pick up a brochure from the district office. They usually include information highlighting the philiosphy or special focus of each school.

2. Learn about the school and its philosophy. Make sure it matches yours.

3. If you are unfamiliar with the school, drive around the surrounding neighborhood and community to help you get familiar. See tip #1.

4. Practice for interviews either by writing out answers to possible interview questions or having other teacher friends role-play the interview. Better yet, do both.

5. Give examples whenever possible.

6. Be enthusiastic and positive. Smile, even though you are as nervous as all get out.

7. Arrive dressed as a teacher on an important day, not spirit day.

8. Be prepared. Bring a one-page resume with letters of recommendations attached, with phone numbers in an obvious location. The letters should be from those who have observed you teach in the classroom.

9. If you don't know the answer to a question you can say, "That is something I will have to give more thought (or research). I'm so glad you brought it to my attention." You should also allow yourself some think time to organize your thoughts before answering. Keep responses to the point, but give examples. If the interviewer wants elaboration he or she will ask for it.

10. Write a note of thanks to the principal (and grade level team, if that is the case) for the interview. You can use the note to give a one-liner as to why you are the best candidate for the position or why you want to teach at ________ school. Consider investing in professional, simple stationery. Save the "teacher" stationery for your classroom. After all this preparation, you surely will end up with a classroom of your own.

You can click on the links to the left, or click on them here.

• K12 Jobspot - click Search Jobs enter keywords social studies

• US REAP - click on teaching jobs, then choose Social Studies from the subject area - you might still go to the school website after you see the posting

• School Spring a bit complicated - on the top left choose any location, classroom teacher, secondary, and full time. on the next page, you can click on job search on the top right then type in Social Studies in the search by keyword - middle right

• Monster.com - Type in the keyword Social Studies or Social Studies Teacher and some jobs appear - you might have to wade through some non-sequiters

• Simply Hired - they provide online applications, but it might be best to use this as a gateway. When you see a job there, check out the school site to see if it exists

ONU Social Studies Grads - Find a Job!

Hello Social Studiers! You are getting close to graduation and now you get to experience the joy of finding a job! This can be a grueling process and one of the problems seems to be where to look for job postings. I decided to do something about this and provide links to some sites that seem promising. I will also use the posts to put in some of the tips that I and others have used to get jobs, such as what should be on your resume, what should be in the cover letter, interview tips, and whatever else I can think of that might help you. If some of the links don't work, please let me know at r-crawford.2@onu.edu

Happy Job Hunting!