| April/May 2007
We hope you found the Office of Careers
Services' Teacher Job Fair 2007, held on March 22, enjoyable and
productive. We were delighted with the turnout of more than 300
students and the participation of 56 school districts. There are
still some school districts that may be recruiting at Career Services
in April. So, be sure to check the Career Services registration
and interview sign-up system weekly for the most up-to-date
listing of on-campus interviewing opportunities.
Job-Search Follow-Up Techniques
 Follow-up
is a critical, but often-overlooked, aspect of any job search. By
employing the following techniques, you can distinguish yourself from
other candidates. After you have sent your application materials to
a school system, you should follow up with periodic phone calls.
These
calls can be made every month or so until June and July, after which
you should call more regularly. You certainly want to be persistent,
but avoid being a pest with your calls. When you make a follow-up
call, you should always have the name of the appropriate hiring official
and ask for that person. If he/she is not available, leave a message
with the secretary and ask when it would be best to call back. When
you reach the hiring official, you should ask if there is any additional
information that you can provide in addition to your application material.
You should also reiterate your interest in any vacancies for which
you qualify, and ask if any positions have developed or are anticipated.
It may also be necessary to inform the school system of a new address
and/or telephone number if you have moved or are planning to do so.
If you get a voice-mail recording, simply state the reason for your
call and ask that your call be returned at the hiring official's convenience.
If you have difficulty reaching the hiring official and feel his/her
secretary is screening your calls, you should continue to be persistent
and treat the secretary with respect. Secretaries play an important
role in the hiring process, since they regularly talk with the hiring
official about who is calling and the professionalism, or lack thereof,
of various applicants. Therefore, you should present yourself professionally
as you communicate with secretaries and be aware of their influential
role in the hiring process. Courtesy and tact will go a long way.
Another follow-up technique, which should become a standard part of your job-search campaign, is to send a thank-you note following any interview.
This note should be brief and should be sent immediately following the interview. If you interviewed with more than one person, it is appropriate to send a thank-you note to the interview coordinator or to each interviewer. You should also be sure that the interviewer's name is spelled correctly and that his or her title is accurate. In the letter, thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration, and restate your interest in any vacancies that develop in your licensure area. Mention something you learned about the school system during the interview that was particularly impressive so you can distinguish yourself from other candidates. Finally, conclude the letter by indicating that you would be happy to provide any additional information that may be required and that you hope to hear from them soon.
Online Employment Opportunity Listings
Be sure to check out the Office of Career Services' Employment
Opportunity Listings on our Web site. Job vacancy notices will
be published throughout the spring and summer. Positions are posted
for two weeks, but we encourage you to make application for any vacancies
in which you are interested as promptly as possible. While you are
visiting our Web site, you may also wish to review the school
district listings.
Evaluating
Job Offers
Most
teacher candidates will be considering job offers during the months
of June, July, and August. You must consider many factors as you evaluate
each job offer and ultimately make a decision. You should consider
such factors as the position's grade level and subject area(s), the
quality and availability of support services, the school system's
facilities, the history and educational philosophy of the school system,
the support from the community, as well as the geographic location
of the community, available housing, and opportunities for leisure
activities.
The first offer you receive may not be your first choice. In such a case, you may want to contact other school systems where you have interviewed and feel you may be a viable candidate. You should indicate you have received another offer, but that you have a special interest in their school system. Ask if a selection decision might be made soon and if you are still being considered. This information will help you evaluate your options and make the right decision. In no case should you accept multiple job offers and then later reject those you find least desirable. This would be a serious breach of professional ethics.
After you have accepted an offer, be sure to formally indicate your acceptance in writing, and be certain to notify other school systems from which you have received offers. You should also notify your references and thank them for their support during your job search. Also, please notify us at Career Services so we do not inadvertently refer you for positions when you are no longer available. This will help us to be of greater service to candidates still seeking positions.
Before Leaving Campus ...
If the Office of Career Services is maintaining a confidential credential file for you, you should check the status of your file and determine if each of your letters of recommendation and student teaching evaluations has been received.
We at Career Services wish you the very best in your professional career!
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES
241 HOYT HALL - OXFORD,
OH 45056
www.muohio.edu/careers/
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