Tomorrow's Teachers -- 2003

Job Hunt

Landing That First Job

Planning, preparation, and persistence can snag you that primo paycheck.

About to embark on a teaching career? NEA specialists say a smart approach to presenting yourself and picking the school that's right for you will make a big difference in getting hired--and being satisfied with the job you choose.

Any student eager to begin a teaching career might occasionally think, "I'll take any job, anywhere." Realistically, though, all aspiring teachers have important personal priorities and preferences--just as individual schools have diverse hiring needs and procedures. According to state coordinators of NEA Student Programs, it's important for students to assess their own professional strengths and job needs--and get to know the schools and school districts they're targeting--as they start the job search process.

First, the question of where to apply requires careful attention, because schools and the jobs they offer differ greatly.

"The first thing to ask yourself is what you need out of a job," says Kimberly Anderson of the Virginia Education Association. "You don't want to remake yourself to meet one job posting. You need to remember who you are and what you and your family need most from your employment."

Anderson says an important step is to become an educated reader of salary schedules. "If you're comparing two job openings, it's tempting to place too much emphasis on which has the higher starting salary," she says. "But the starting salary of a job is just a fraction of the important data about that job."

Many districts promote teacher retention by paying higher salaries after about five years, Anderson says. So, if prospective teachers are looking for a community where they can settle down, the long-term salary potential is more important than the starting salary. By contrast, if they plan to move every few years because they have spouses in the military or for other reasons, then a school's starting salary or whether it offers a signing bonus are important considerations, Anderson adds.

Prospective teachers should weigh a job's benefits the same way. "A good health insurance package for you and your family might make up for a low starting salary," Anderson says. "But if you already have good health coverage through a family member, the salary might be your key concern." Students also should find out if their school or district reimburses expenses for any continuing education required by the state.

Working conditions at a school also are important--especially for someone just breaking into the profession.

"A new teacher needs as much support and planning time as possible," says Anderson. "Find out how much time you'll have for peer contact, so you can share ideas with other teachers. And find out if there's a mentoring program, and, if so, how much time is available for working with a mentor."

Students need to consider how they present themselves to potential employers as well.

"When you're developing a résumé or portfolio, or being interviewed, you obviously want your strengths to outweigh your weaknesses," says Nancy Clark of the Wisconsin Education Association Council. "Everyone looking for their first teaching job has the same weakness--experience--so it's important to identify and present your strengths. If you've been active in an NEA Student Program, chances are you've developed many skills, from leadership in committees to grant writing. It's important to look through your whole college experience and identify what you've gained that is marketable, from mastery of content to foreign language skills or working with special needs children."

Students may want to draft a self-analysis chart to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, says Anderson. The chart will help them highlight their strongest skills as they prepare résumés and portfolios.

Everyone agrees that the final key to job hunting is persistence.

"If you like several schools, don't hesitate to send out as many résumés as you wish," says Fran Pierce of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. "On the other hand, if you're set on one school, don't stop with sending a résumé. Go to the school, check for job postings on their bulletin board, and stop at the office to ask if your application is up to date. Look for ways to meet with the principal."

Anderson says that it's important, too, to remain flexible in your persistence.

"You may not find what you think is your ideal job, but keep an open mind," she says.

--Matt Simon

Quick Tip

Don't rely just on a school district's website when you're researching potential jobs. School and district websites often serve a promotional purpose and won't give you a complete picture of your potential employer. If you have questions about a school district, check with your Student Program advisor or the local Association that represents school employees in the district. The Association can provide information on working conditions, past bargaining problems, benefits, and salaries.

Wise Up

Looking for additional job search advice? Check out www.owl.org, the online portal for NEA members. Visit the section called "My Profession" and check out the information on career building. You'll find articles and resources on licensure and certification, financial aid, salary, and benefits. You can even start your job search by linking to Teachers-Teachers.com.