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PART ONE
THE BASICS
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Chapter One
Getting the Right Job
In this chapter you will learn about: - How to find a job that is a good match for your skills and interests
- How to prepare for your first job interviews
- Tips for putting together a résumé
Dory received the dreaded letterâshe didnât get the job she really wanted. She plans to search for several different positions and is thinking about how to prepare better for the interviews. Dory wishes they had provided more guidelines for this in her preparation program.
Great beginnings are no accident. We hope, as part of your teacher preparation, you developed critical knowledge about how to teach students with disabilities and started putting what you learned into action through field experiences in schools. Yet learning to teach is a lifelong process and the steps that you take at the beginning of your career are critical to a great start. The first step is to find a job that is a great match.
AN INITIAL PRIORITY: FIND A GOOD JOB MATCH
Special education teachers wanted: well-prepared, enthusiastic, intelligent, energetic, and personable individualsâintrinsic rewards unlimited1
Finding a good job match is perhaps the most important step you can take toward having a great beginning to your teaching career. Your ability to find a good match may be difficult or easy depending on the job market in which you live or the one in which you hope to relocate. Although some new teachers have multiple offers, others struggle, and the lack of available jobs in some areas is a significant source of stress for new teachers.
It is also important to know that central office personnel and principals may be constrained in whom they hire and when they can hire. For example, they may be required to hire employees who have been laid off before considering anyone else. Sometimes the reassignment of teachers creates delays in hiring, with offers coming later in July or even in August.
If you are applying in an area where there are few special education jobs, keep in mind that it is often easier to find jobs in rural or high-need schools. For example, in one geographical region, it is almost impossible to get a job in a preferred school system. However, it is relatively easy to get jobs in the surrounding areas. If the job market is tight in your preferred school district, you will want to be vigilant about learning about the school system, its needs, and what the administration is looking for in applicants.
A thoughtful and systematic approach to your job search should increase the odds of finding a position that is a good match for your qualifications and interests. If you are not in a hurry and if you have options about where you live, you can afford more time in looking for a good match. Some teachers take the first position that is offered even when it is not a very good match for their interests, skills, and abilities. Those who are not well matched to their jobs are more likely to leave their positions.2
STEPS IN YOUR JOB SEARCH
Once you decide on your priorities, take time to get the most out of the job search process. Following are specific considerations when searching for a position that is a good match.
Identify Your Priorities
Consider what is important in a job for you. The clearer you are about what you want, the easier it will be to find positions that match your interests and abilities. Take ten minutes to write a description of your ideal position. For example, consider the following:
- Is it at the elementary or secondary level?
- Would you be as comfortable working in a large versus small school or a suburban versus urban environment?
- Do you want to spend most of your time co-teaching?
- Are you interested in teaching a particular subject(s)?
- What certifications do you hold? What additional certifications are you willing to acquire?
- Do you have more experience with some kinds of students with disabilities than with others?
- Where do you want to live?
- How far are you willing to commute?
Of course, you probably wonât find the perfect fit, but by identifying your priorities, you will help focus your attention on finding a pretty good match. Even better, make a list of must-haves, should-haves, and nice-to-haves. Evaluate each job according to these priorities. Karen, a new graduate with a masterâs degree, describes the job she wants:
Investigate a Range of Options
Perhaps you know exactly where you want to work; if so, skip to the next point. Most prospective teachers will want to search a range of possibilities. Fortunately, there are many different websites for teachers interested in learning about special education positions (e.g., Council for Exceptional ChildrenâCareer Center, Recruiting New Teachers, and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education). If you are interested in a particular state, district or school, you can contact it through its website or through the district personnel office.
Develop Your Résumé
A well-crafted résumé highlights the most important aspects of your teaching work. You should take copies to teacher job fairs and your interviews. You should also send it as part of your application. You may want to revise your résumé for specific positions, highlighting those aspects of your preparation and experience that are consistent with the position you are seeking. For example, if the job announcement includes references to specific skills, such as co-teaching or tiered instruction, highlight those relevant experiences on your résumé.
Those who interview you may look at your résumé very quickly, so make sure you highlight the most important information. Here are some specific tips to consider when developing your résumé. An example is shown in exhibit 1.1.
- Emphasize your strengths and your specific knowledge and skills.
- Highlight your work with students with disabilities and your specific skills.
- Create a focused, concise, and readable résumé (12-point font such as Times New Roman).
- Use a high-quality printer and good paper.
- Use bullets, not sentences or paragraphs.
- Proof carefully and have other professionals read and make suggestions.
Complete Your Application and Follow Up
After you have narrowed your search, you will need to complete the application process. This usually includes providing a written or online application, securing transcripts and references, and providing teacher exam scores. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly. Donât leave anything out. You should follow up to make sure the district has received all parts of your application. If you do not hear anything after a period of time, call the district to let them know you are still interested.
THE INTERVIEW PROCESS
Be prepared for the interview. In particular, read the job announcement carefully and prepare for any aspects of the position that are highlighted in the interview (e.g., help students prepare for postsecondary settings, co-teaching). Here are some key tips to increasing your chance of getting an offer.
Exhibit 1.1 Résumé Example
ALTHEA POLSNEY
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