Job Preparation Guide: Application to Offer Process

1. Notes from a Serial Interviewer Getting the Job

2. Preparing to Look • Documents to prepare include: • Cover Letter • Resume • Transcripts • Letters of Recommendation • References

3. Cover Letter • Make it personalized • Put in important information • Where you: • Student taught (including practicum) • What types of ensembles you’ve worked with • Extra duties you performed • Stayed after school for S&E and B&O rehearsals • Experience’s you’ve gained outside of your undergraduate requirements (field experience)

4. Resume • Include any relevant information such as: • Substitute teaching • Student teaching • Practicum • Marching band camps • Performing ensembles • Professional memberships • Awards • References • 2 pages max • Keep it simple and easy to read

5. Other Documents • Transcripts • Order several hard copies from WSU • Scan into the computer in PDF format • Letters of Recommendation • Student teaching and practicum experiences • Other professional contacts (camps, etc.) • Ensemble directors and other significant professors (Bianchi, Collins, Markou, Tuohey, Vander Weg) • Before you ask for a reference, make sure it’s going to be a good one! • References • Compose a list of all significant references that can be distributed when asked for. • Ask for permission to place someone on your reference list (common courtesy and allows you to gage whether that person is going to say positive things about you).

6. Key Points • Presentation is everything • These documents are your first impression when applying for positions • For printed copies, buy professional quality paper • Keep electronic copies of everything (www.primopdf.com – free PDF software)

7. Looking for Positions

8. Where to look: • Your Network • Job Fairs • Consortium Websites • State Education Websites • State Music Education Websites • National Music Education Websites • Teacher Employment Websites

9. Your Network • NETWORK! • State Conferences (MMC, TMEA, Etc.) • Regional Conferences (Midwest, CBDNA) • Music Stores (A&G, Eastside, Marshall) • Attend an MSBOA Meeting • Practicum Co-op Teacher • Student Teaching Co-op Teacher

10. Job Fairs • Bring several hard copies of your “packet” • Dress professionally! • Often times there are on-site interviews that take place • EMU COE Job Fair: 04/15/2010 • WSU’s was this past week!

11. Consortium Websites • Oakland Human Resources Consortium • www.oakland.k12.mi.us/OHRC • Washtenaw Human Resources Consortium • www.wash.k12.mi.us/hr/jobs.cfm • Only 2 of many examples

12. State Education Websites • Some states require district postings, others do not • Differ from consort. sites in that these are strictly postings and you must apply for each one separately.

13. Selected State Websites • Michigan • www.mireap.net - mostly charter school jobs • http://mich.info/michigan/education/schooldistricts.htm - district list • Kentucky • http://apps.kdc.state.ky.us/keps/index.cfm • New Jersey • www.njhire.com • Massachusetts • www.doe.mass.edu/jobs • Illinois • www.isbe.state.il.us/employment.htm

14. State Music Websites • These are professional state music organization websites such as: • Michigan School Band & Orchestra Assoc. • www.msboa.org • Texas Music Educators Association • www.tmea.org • Texas Bandmasters Association • www.texasbandmasters.org • California Music Educators Association • www.calmusiced.com

15. National Music Education Websites • MENC • www.menc.org • Midwest Clinic • www.midwestclinic.org

16. Teacher Employment Websites • Teachers-Teachers • www.teachers-teachers.com • School Spring • www.schoolspring.com • K12 Job Spot • www.k12jobspot.com • Education America • www.educationamerica.net

17. Applying for Positions • How to apply: • Hard copy submission • If mailed, send it certified. • If hand delivered, ask for the name of the person receiving your materials. • Email submission • See example • Website submission

18. The Interview • You will usually receive a call with an appointment time. “Are you available Saturday at 3:00am?” The answer is yes! • Two basic types of interviews: • Phone • Make sure you’re in a quiet spot • Make sure you have good cell phone reception • Maybe a glass of Scotch(?) • In-person

19. In-Person Interview • Dress appropiately • Gentlemen: • Dress slacks, white shirt, solid or “prep-school” tie, blazer • Ladies: • Think conservative. Dress pants or appropiate length skirt (pretty much all said pants are better though). Well-tailored blouse, jacket twin set. High heels should be day appropriate. Simple jewelry. Easy on the cologne and makeup. • We will discuss questions in a moment.

20. Getting an Offer • First of all, realize that offers are going to be far and few between. Prepare for lots of “Thanks, but no thanks” letters. I have tons of those! Don’t let that get you down. • It is acceptable to ask for 24 hours to think about the offer and/or to ask for time to make your decision due to an upcoming ALREADY SCHEDULED interview. • Just because you have an offer doesn’t mean you have to accept the job. • Be upfront with all parties if you have multiple offers. • Realize that you’re not going to get your dream job your first year out. Learn from my mistake. Any job is better than no job!

21. Things to Consider • Cost of living vs salary • Is there a stipend for all of the “extra” things the music teacher does (marching band, pep band, etc.) • Are the arts supported in that school? • Do you often see jobs in this school district posted? This is a warning sign… • Are relocation expenses covered? • Can you handle moving away from family/friends?

22. Best of luck! • Anthony M. Messina • amessina85@gmail.com • Feel free to contact me with any questions or if you need someone to look over your documents (cover letter, resume, etc.).