Job search success: How to jump into your teaching career As the professional and industrial voice of non-government education in Queensland and the Northern Territory, our union receives frequent enquiries about employment opportunities and vacancies in Catholic and Independent schools. In response to member need popular seminar Strategies for Seeking Employment in the Non-Government Education Sector was first developed in 2000. This workshop is open to all Associate members in their final year of university, or any member seeking professional advice on updating their employment history portfolio. Guest speakers talking about “what employers are looking for” and “personal experiences for a new graduate teacher” are also included in the course format, along with practical and realistic advice on job search strategies, interview tips, your application letter and contemporary resume preparation. First steps Our teaching colleagues-to-be are encouraged to start the serious business of job search by: 1. Reviewing our union website www.qieu.asn.au to access current information. Click on ‘membership sectors’/‘graduate and associate members’/‘resources to assist in finding employment’. 2. Calling our union office on (07) 3839 7020 to request a copy of the booklet “Applying for a Job in the Non-Government Education Sector”, which complements the employment strategies seminar. 3. Go to Catholic Jobs Online at www.catholicjobsonline.net.au. This website of Catholic education employment vacancies has facility for prospective employees to upload their profiles and employment ‘expressions of interest’ online. 4.
Search the internet for practical tips on the job search process.
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Check the websites of potential employers to find out more about their school and education vision.
Advice for job seekers 1. Job hunting should be your full time job - Research schools of interest, attend professional or industry meetings, network, customise your resume and cover letter, and explore employment options other than the print media. 2.
Stay healthy - Eat sensibly, exercise and minimise stress.
3. Volunteer - Make new contacts, develop your skills and demonstrate your sense of community/work ethic. 4. Make weekly plans - If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. 5. Have a support network - Friends are your primary ‘networks’ and can provide a second opinion on your application letters, resume, and interview outfit. Relatives, neighbours, contacts or friends in the teaching profession or working in schools can also give you the low-down on positions coming up, possible contract opportunities or special projects that may need short-term staff. Created on 27/07/2010 11:08:00 AM
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6. Alternatives to full-time work - Part-time or fixed-term contract work will build your work experience profile in the short term, and will enable you to develop a pool of professional contacts and references. Short-term employment can sometimes turn into an ongoing position – or give you an ‘edge’ when a permanent job does arise. Making a positive impression at interview It’s a very competitive world and you can be up against any number of applicants. There are many factors that determine your success at interview - most of which you can control and all of which centre around preparation. 1. Self Assessment - The interviewer will want to explore your values, attitudes, skills and abilities. They will want to know what it is that drives you, what your work style is likely to be and how you will fit in with the work culture and specific demands of the vacant position. Your capacity to articulate yourself well comes from knowing something about yourself. This will also enable you to ask the right questions about the position and the work place. An important preparation exercise is writing an extensive list of your achievements, problems you have overcome, issues you have addressed, demands you have faced and times where your action has led to problem resolution. The process of thinking about and writing down your achievements will enable a speedier memory recall during questioning, readily providing evidence of your problem solving capacity. Recent graduates’ work history may not be extensive; however, you can include participation in sport, community activities or service organisations where relevant to the position or when demonstrating a tangible achievement in any of the following areas: • Have I taken the initiative in confronting problems, opportunities or challenges? • Have I developed or organised something? • Have I resolved a panic situation or dealt with difficult people? • Have I demonstrated a love of teaching/helping others? Worked with children? Shown positive leadership skills? By asking yourself these questions, you will have identified your strengths and will be ready to provide tangible examples to the interviewer. 2. Avoiding stress - Interviews can be stressful. Preparation will help you be more relaxed and confident. 3. Targeted selection or behavioural questions - With the targeted selection technique (or behavioural interviewing) you may be asked for evidence of how you have demonstrated a particular skill or action. (For example how you met a deadline and what you did in that situation). This is your opportunity to recount achievements relevant to the question. Keep your answers concise and to the point. Mention what the problem was, what you did to overcome it and what the outcome was. 4. Questions for you to ask - In reality, everyone in an interview is both interviewer and interviewee at the same time. You can help turn the interview into a conversation and communicate your interest by asking: • What future changes do you see for the school? • What direction do you see the school going in the future? • Who are your ‘competitors’ in the local education sector? • How successful have you been with marketing your school? • What makes you school different from others? • What induction program is available? • What ongoing professional development support is available to graduates? Created on 27/07/2010 11:08:00 AM
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5. Tips to Keep in Mind • Be an active listener • Ethos Responding to questions regarding the Ethos of a School requires prior research. Most religious schools expect staff to be role models for students. While employers will expect all staff to support the values of the particular school, this does not mean that all staff share the same religion. Practical support for the Ethos of the School may involve a commitment to teach religion, pray with their class and attend school liturgy. • Presentation First impressions are crucial in determining how well you come across during the interview. First impressions tend to last and once you have been ‘boxed’, subsequent information will be assimilated with this impression in mind. Aspects of presentation include how you dress, grooming, deportment and personal confidence. A good rule of thumb is to wear the kind of clothes that are most commonly worn in that job environment. If you are uncertain, err on the side of caution — it is better to slightly overdress. • Closing the Interview A common ‘close’ is for the interviewer to ask if you have any questions. This is a good time to refer to your prepared questions, if you haven’t already done so during the session. Make sure that you know the next step in the application process before you leave the interview. Determine if the interviewer will contact you, or if you should contact them in a particular time frame. Find out if there is likely to be a second interview, for example. That way if the interviewer has not responded by the nominated date then you can follow up with a polite inquiry as to why you haven’t heard anything. • Follow up Continue to market yourself after the interview by sending a brief thank-you letter, reiterating your enthusiasm and interest in the position and reconfirming the details of the follow-up steps as organised at the interview. Your application letter and curriculum vitae Your application letter and tailored curriculum vitae are your ‘ticket to a job interview’. This is the first impression of your experience, communication and organisational skills and will determine whether the potential employer wants to know more. 1. Curriculum vitae (or resume) The following are suggested hints to hook the interviewer: • Keep it concise • Use language effectively Don’t be unnecessarily verbose or mention personal characteristics such as age, height, and marital status. List your hobbies only if relevant to the position for which you are applying (e.g. co-curricular contribution to the life of the school). • Make the most of your experience If you’re a new graduate, use your recent education as your primary advantage and talk about new ideas that would benefit the school. Be honest - it is understandable that your practical work history will be limited. • Don’t neglect appearance Both what you say, and how you present it, are important. • Customise your curriculum vitae to the needs of each employer Don’t expect interviewers to sort and shift through your generic curriculum vitae to determine how you may meet their needs. 2. Letters of Application Application letters should not repeat the details of your curriculum vitae. They introduce you and what you can do for the employer. An effective cover letter should accomplish three things: • Introduce you and your reason for writing • Sell yourself Most advertised positions will offer an information package with selection criteria. The body of your cover letter is the appropriate place to briefly answer the listed criteria. Created on 27/07/2010 11:08:00 AM
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• Make a plan Your cover letter should indicate where you can be contacted and that you will follow-up your application with a phone call to arrange an interview. The quality of education that can be delivered to Australian students relies on our profession’s ability to attract (and retain) committed, enthusiastic and engaging graduate teachers. As you take your first steps into teaching, remember also the importance of being an involved and informed union member. Work load, legal liability issues, changing curriculum, reporting and assessment structures, and negotiations for professional pay and conditions are all challenges in an otherwise rewarding career that are best faced together.
Created on 27/07/2010 11:08:00 AM
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