Basic Teaching Skills for Career Education Instructors

1. Basic Teaching Skills for Career Education Instructors Chapter 14 Career and Employment Preparation

2. Critical Concept • Educators are not born, they are made through study, learning, and growth.

3. Desired Performance Goals • Explain the importance of preparing for employment. • Write an achievement-oriented resume and prepare an employment portfolio. • Complete a typical employment application and be prepared to complete an effective employment interview. • Explain strategies to maintain employment once it is obtained. (continues)

4. Desired Performance Goals • Explain the importance of keeping accurate school records. • Explain the importance of the reception area to a school’s success. • Demonstrate good school telephone techniques.

5. The Master Educator • Prepares an achievement-oriented resume that sizzles with excitement. • Prepares a thorough and appealing performance portfolio. • Thoroughly prepares for each employment interview.

6. Preparing for Employment • Your primary goal is to obtain gainful employment as a teacher or some other related position for which your training has prepared you.

7. Personal Inventory of Skills

8. Characteristics for Getting the Job • Motivation • Integrity • Good technical and communication skills • Strong work ethic • Enthusiasm

9. Resume Basics • Keep it simple. • Print on quality paper. • Include name, address, phone, email. • Present recent, relevant work experience. • Present relevant education. • Present abilities and accomplishments. • Focus on relevant information. • Include required personal information.

10. Accomplishment Statements • Quantify information. • Use numbers and percentages.

11. Resume Development • Make it easy to read. • Know your audience. • Keep it short. • Stress accomplishments. • Center on career goals. • Emphasize transferable skills. • Use action verbs. (continues)

12. Resume Development • Make it neat. • Avoid salary references. • No photos. • Don’t stretch the truth. • Don’t include personal references. • Avoid the personal. • Do not expect too much. (continues)

13. Resume Development

14. Employment Portfolio Contents • Diplomas • Awards and achievements • Current resume • Letters of reference • Synopsis of continuing education • List of professional affiliations (continues)

15. Employment Portfolio Contents • List of relevant civic affiliations/activities • Before-and-after photos of technical skills • Performance evaluations • Personal philosophy of teaching • Other relevant information

16. Job Hunting Considerations • Accept that you may not begin where you want to be. • Do not wait until graduation to begin. • Obtain a list of area schools. • Locate a school that serves the type of students and clients you wish to help. (continues)

17. Job Hunting Considerations • Watch school advertisements. • Watch for consistency; evaluate ad quality; consider what market the school’s ads are targeting. • Check out websites and social networking sites. • Keep the institution’s culture in mind.

18. Targeting the School • Observe the target • The school visit • Arranging the employment interview

19. Interview Preparation • Make a list. • Select wardrobe. • Gather needed items. • Prepare answers.

20. The Interview • Be on time. • Smile. • Use good posture. • Be polite and courteous. • Don’t sit until asked. • Don’t smoke or chew gum. • Don’t lean on or touch interviewer’s desk. (continues)

21. The Interview • Don’t fidget. • Speak clearly. • Answer questions honestly. • Acknowledge interview with thanks. • Never criticize former employers.

22. Success on the Job • The institution • Published policies; regulatory oversight; compensation packages; payroll deductions • The curriculum • Grading policies, schedules, lesson plans • Stay in balance • Exercise, eat well, get plenty of rest, balance work with relaxation. (continues)

23. Success on the Job • Hire a consultant. • Location

24. Fundamentals of Business Management • Written agreements • Business plan • General description • Area demographics • Salaries and benefits • Operations and pricing structure • Projected income and expenses (continues)

25. Fundamentals of Business Management • Business regulations and laws • Local, state, federal, and income tax laws • Insurance • School operation • Record-keeping

26. Types of School Ownership • Individual • Proprietor is owner/manager, determines policy, receives profits, and bears losses. (continues)

27. Types of School Ownership • Partnership • Privately owned by two or more parties; more capital is available; profits and liabilities are shared (continues)

28. Types of School Ownership • Corporation • Saves money in taxes. • Can raise money by issuing stock. • Stockholders own interest. • Corporate formalities are required. • Income tax is limited to salary. • Unemployment insurance is required.

29. Business Management Factors • Sufficient investment capital • Management efficiency • Good business procedures • Cooperation between management and staff (continues)

30. Business Management Factors • Trained and experienced personnel • Excellent customer service • Proper pricing of services

31. Importance of Record-Keeping • Income and expenses • Purchase and inventory • Service records

32. School Operations • School’s Layout (continues)

33. School Operations • Personnel • Skill level, personal grooming and image, overall attitude, communication skills • Payroll and employee benefits • Meet payroll obligations, offer benefits, perform evaluations, create incentives, put plans in writing. • Managing personnel

34. The Front Desk • The reception area: the “nerve center” of the school • The receptionist: the quarterback of the school • Booking appointments: done efficiently • Use of telephone: good habits increase business and improve relationships (continues)

35. The Front Desk

36. Business Calls • Use pleasant voice. • Speak clearly. • Use correct grammar. • Put a smile in your voice. • Show interest and concern. • Be polite, respectful, and courteous. • Be tactful.

37. Incoming Phone Calls • Use proper greeting. • Answer promptly within 3 rings. • Use hold button effectively. • Focus on call only (no side conversations).

38. Booking Appointments by Phone • Get requisite information. • Be familiar with services and products. • Be fair when making assignments. • Accommodate client requests if possible.

39. Handling Complaints by Phone • Use self-control, tact, and courtesy. • Be sympathetic and reassuring. • Do not interrupt caller. • Try to resolve quickly and effectively.

40. Selling in the School • Additional services • Take home or maintenance products

41. Promoting in the Community • Offer to speak at community events or local colleges and universities. • Instructors should always act as ambassadors of goodwill for any institution they represent.

42. Wrapping It Up • Create a sizzling resume. • Organize materials and information for interview. • Develop a dynamic portfolio. • Continue your education as the doors of opportunity. continue to open.

43. In Retrospect • Explain the importance of preparing for employment. • List the key elements of an achievement-oriented resume and an employment portfolio. • Explain strategies to maintain employment once it is obtained. (continues)

44. In Retrospect • List key records that must be kept for the institution. • Explain the importance of the reception area to a school’s success. • Explain why good school telephone techniques are important.

45. Congratulations! You have completed fourteen units of study toward completion of your instructor training program.