We hope you found the Office of Careers Services' Teacher Job Fair 2008, held on April 2, enjoyable and productive.

We were delighted with the turnout of more than 280 students and the participation of 58 school districts. Be sure to check Miami CAREERlink weekly for up-to-date listings of on-campus interviewing opportunities.

Job-Search Follow-Up Techniques

After you have sent your application materials to a school system, you should follow up with periodic phone calls.

• Every month until June or July, then more frequently. Be persistent, but not a pest.
• Ask for the appropriate hiring official by name.
• Leave a message if they are unavailable and ask for an appropriate call-back time.
• When you reach the hiring official, ask if you can provide any additional information.
• Reiterate your interest and ask if any positions have developed or are anticipated.
• Support staff are important in the hiring process since they speak regularly with the hiring official. Be courteous, tactful, and professional.

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.

• Send the thank-you note immediately after the interview.
• Be brief.
• Check spelling and grammar. Check job title accuracy.
• Thank the interviewer and reiterate your interest in vacancies within your licensure area.
• Mention something you learned in your interview to distinguish yourself from other candidates.
• Indicate you would be happy to provide additional information if necessary and you hope to hear from them soon.

Miami CAREERlink & the Ohio Dept. of Education

In order to take full advantage of the resources available to you through the Office of Career Services, you should register on Miami CAREERlink if you have not already done so. This offers students access to job postings of employers who may not come to campus to recruit. Be sure to check the system regularly for employment opportunities.

Click on the link above to access Miami CAREERlink. If you need more detailed instructions on how to use the system, please refer to Miami CAREERlink Quick Reference (PDF file).

Another job-search option you may want to explore is the Ohio Department of Education Web site.

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:

• Grade level and subject areas
• Quality and availability of support services
• The school system's facilities
• The history and educational philosophy of the school system
• Community support
• Geographic location
• Available housing
• 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.
• Do not 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:

• Formally indicate your acceptance in writing, and be certain to notify other school systems from which you have received offers.
• Notify your references and thank them for their support during your job search.
• 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!