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A Successful Entry into the Teaching Profession

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Mail or deliver the letter of application, the resume and any other enclosures ... Bring a duplicate application package to the interview. ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: A Successful Entry into the Teaching Profession


1
A Successful Entry into the Teaching Profession
  • This workshop is offered to Nipissing University
  • Bachelor of Education candidates.
  • Special thanks to
  • Mary Ann Jack Jones
  • who spent much time in the preparation of the
  • original version of this workshop

2
AGENDA
  • Introduction
  • Creating a Résumé
  • Composing a Letter of Application
  • Planning for and Participating in the Interview
  • Summary one-liners

3
CREATING YOUR RÉSUMÉ the professional you on
paper
A résumé is a biographical summary of the
qualifications that have prepared you for
successful employment.
4
FIRST IMPRESSIONS the importance of visual impact
The hiring team will begin by eliminating those
résumés that do not impress. Consider the
following important points layout, margins,
consistency of format, paper quality and color,
print quality, effective use of formatting and
font size, length of résumé
5
Focus on theEMPLOYERS NEEDS
  • What are they?

6
PARTS OF A RÉSUMÉ
  • Personal Information
  • Career Objective (optional)
  • Education
  • Career Related Experience
  • Other Experience
  • Areas of Ability, Special Skills, Expertise
  • Professional Affiliations or Volunteer
  • References

7
Personal Information
Connor Jones 361 Riverbend Road North Bay,
Ontario P1B 3K4 Work (705) 495-6628 Home (705)
497-6650 Fax (705) 474-2278 Email connorj_at_stude
nt1.unipissing.on.ca
8
Your letter head should appear on the first page
of your résumé and your name on each subsequent
page.
CONNOR JONES 675 Broadview Heights Work
(705) 495-6654 North Bay, Ontario Home (705)
474-9987 P1C 2X6 Fax (705) 495-7789
9
Inappropriate Information
Personal Information
age, height, weight, social insurance number,
state of health, marital status, citizenship,
religion
10
YOUR TICKET TO TEACH!
  • After personal information,
  • Indicate that your Ontario College of Teachers
    registration is pending in the Spring of 2006

11
Personal InformationCareer Objective (optional)
  • The following are examples only. Applicants
    should take some time to formulate one unique
    statement
  • To apply newly acquired teaching skills in a
    classroom setting with the _____________ School
    Board.
  • To create an environment that allows each child
    to become a self-directed, self-motivated,
    confident learner.
  • To use creative teaching strategies and effective
    assessment techniques that help students learn.

12
Personal InformationCareer Objective
(optional)Education
  • In reverse chronological order, list the
    certificates or degrees you earned. (Do not
    abbreviate!)
  • List the name and location of the relevant
    educational institutions you attended since high
    school.
  • Be selective! Keep your future employers
    interests and needs in mind.

13
Personal InformationCareer Objective
(optional)EducationCareer Related Experience
  • In reverse chronological order, list the dates,
    job title, place of employment, duties, and what
    you learned. Begin with practice teaching
    placements.
  • Your future employer wants to know what you
    learned and what you are able to do as a result
    of your employment experiences.
  • Emphasize transferable skills (communication,
    team work, problem-solving, decision-making,
    creativity)

14
Personal InformationCareer Objective
(optional)EducationCareer Related
ExperienceOther ExperienceIf you have the
room, in reverse chronological order, itemize
other positions you have held (be selective)
15
Personal InformationCareer Objective
(optional)EducationCareer Related
ExperienceOther ExperienceAreas of Ability,
Special Skills, Awards, Expertise
  • Awards
  • Additional Courses
  • Training Seminars, Workshops
  • Extracurricular Activities

16
Personal InformationCareer Objective
(optional)EducationCareer Related
ExperienceOther ExperienceAreas of Ability,
Special Skills, Awards, ExpertiseProfessional or
Volunteer Affiliations
Professional or Volunteer Affiliations What might
you include here that would be important to your
future employer?
17
Personal InformationCareer Objective
(optional)EducationCareer Related
ExperienceOther ExperienceAreas of Ability,
Special Skills, Awards, ExpertiseProfessional
AffiliationsReferences
  • Providing references on the résumé will not hurt
    you, but failing to provide them may!
  • Carefully choose 3.
  • Ask permission, and then provide the referees
    with current information.
  • Provide the name, position, company, address, and
    contact numbers of your referees (telephone, fax,
    email).
  • Give your permission for references to be
    contacted.

18
Practice Teaching ReportsandLetters of Reference
  • Submit copies of your practice teaching reports.
  • If possible, enclose letters of reference when
    requested.
  • Catholic School Boards usually request a a Faith
    Reference portfolio.
  • If you do not receive a letter of acknowledgement
    within three weeks, it is appropriate to call and
    inquire about the status of your application.

19
Employers Pet Peeves About Résumés!
  • More than 2 pages long
  • Colored paper that does not copy well for the
    interview team, e.g. marbled paper
  • Clerical errors
  • Repetition
  • Attempts to inflate responsibilities
  • Fancy graphics
  • Poor quality paper
  • Photocopies of photocopies

20
The Letter of Application
The Six Cs of the Job Application Letter
  • clear
  • concise
  • coherent
  • correct
  • complete
  • courteous

21

Components of a Letter of Application
  • Initial Contact
  • Evidence
  • Action

22
INITIAL CONTACT
  • Be aware of overall appearance
  • Use standard business style
  • Personalize the salutation
  • Paragraph 1 State the reason for writing the
    letter and also state your teaching qualifications

23
EVIDENCE
  • Paragraph 2Present solid facts that support your
    contention that you are the best person to do the
    job, e.g. background experience
  • Paragraph 3Ensure that your philosophy of
    teaching/learning is consistent with the Boards
    philosophy or mission statement.

24
ACTION
  • Paragraph 4Use a closing statement that, rather
    than just ending the letter, opens the door to
    the next step, that being the interview
  • Contemporary usage suggests that you should end
    the letter with a single word, Sincerely

25
The Actual Writing of the Letter
  • The warm up session (psyching yourself up to
    write)
  • The actual writing process (three steps)
  • The cool down period

26
The Warm-up Session Psyching Yourself Up to
Write the Letter
  • Always keep in mind what the employer is looking
    for... that being an excellent teacher.
  • Make sure your letter is not dull, unsympathetic,
    disorganized, wishy-washy?
  • Your letter must be interesting, well-planned and
    assertive.
  • Do as much research as you can about the board to
    which you are applying now.

27
The Actual Writing ProcessParagraph 1 Initial
ContactState the reason for writing.
  • State the title of the position for which you are
    applying.
  • Quote the competition number if there is one.
  • State the source and date of the advertisement
  • State the divisions you are qualified to teach
    and the source of those qualifications.
  • Indicate if you plan to take an ABQ in another
    division in the spring or summer.

28
The Actual Writing ProcessParagraph 2 Solid
Evidence
  • Indicate if you plan on taking other courses in
    the future.
  • Indicate why you are one of the best candidates
    for the job.
  • Write about your career related experience.

29
The Actual Writing ProcessParagraph 3 Solid
Evidence (Continued)
  • Share your beliefs about what teaching is all
    about and relate them to the boards mission
    statement.Phrases you might use
  • Teachers must address the range of knowledge,
    skills, attitudes and values essential for
    todays students OR
  • Teachers must use a variety of methods to meet
    the different learning styles of students OR
  • Teachers must encourage students to ask
    questions and make connections OR
  • Teachers must have high expectations for all
    students OR
  • Teachers must encourage students to apply what
    they learn in school to everyday life.

30
The Actual Writing ProcessStep 2Solid Evidence
(Continued)
  • Share your beliefs about what learning is all
    about...Phrases you might use
  • Learning involves nurturing values and skills as
    well as knowledge OR
  • Students learn in different ways and at different
    rates OR
  • Students learn by asking questions and making
    connections OR
  • Learning requires effort and self-discipline OR
  • Students must see the relevance of what they are
    learning.

31
The Actual Writing ProcessStep 2Solid Evidence
(Continued)
  • Share your beliefs about what curriculum is all
    about...Phrases you might use
  • The curriculum must reflect the diversity of
    Canadian Society.
  • Curriculum must accommodate the strengths, needs,
    and backgrounds of individuals in the classroom.
  • The curriculum must guide students to make
    connections through constant inquiry.
  • The curriculum includes all the experiences ,
    both inside and outside the classroom,that
    contribute to our students achieving the stated
    outcomes or expectations.
  • The curriculum must demonstrate connections
    (interactions) among people, ideas, events to
    prepare students for a changing world.

32
The Actual Writing ProcessStep 2Solid Evidence
(Continued)
  • Share your beliefs about what evaluation is all
    about...Phrases you might use
  • Assessment must involve the use of a wide variety
    of techniques to ensure that the evaluation is as
    accurate as possible.
  • Assessment, evaluation, and reporting are the
    responsibility of the teacher who must consider
    the needs of individual students and work closely
    with them and their families or guardians.
  • Assessment, evaluation, and reporting are
    continuous and essential parts of the curriculum
    and effective classroom practice.

33
The Actual Writing ProcessStep 2Solid Evidence
(Continued)
  • Reporting must accurately describe the students
    progress towards the achievement of the outcomes,
    and it must include plans for improving the
    students performance.
  • It is the responsibility of all teachers to
    evaluate their programs, their planning
    procedures, their teaching strategies, their
    assessment techniques and their classroom
    management skills on a regular basis.

34
The Actual Writing ProcessParagraph 4 Action
  • The employer is getting to the end of your
    letter. You must be action-oriented. Consider the
    following
  • Invite the employer to contact your references.
  • Close with a strong statement of confidence in
    your abilities.
  • Express your willingness to attend an interview
    and provide contact information.
  • Thank the employer for considering you and ask
    for an interview at his/her earliest convenience.
  • Provide a telephone number where you can be
    reached, or where a message can be left.

35
The Cool Down Period
  • Youve spent a lot of time and effort getting
    your letter of application written but its not
    over yet.
  • Ask some people (friend, colleague, academic
    advisor) to proofread your letter. Listen to
    all their comments without being defensive. If
    possible, put their comments in writing.
  • Reflect on what has been shared with you. (Let
    it steep for a period of time).
  • You make the decision on what the final version
    will be.
  • Mail or deliver the letter of application, the
    resume and any other enclosures to the
    appropriate individual.

36
THE INTERVIEW
37
Before the Interview
  • Learn about the organization to which you are
    applying
  • Learn about the specific job for which you are
    applying.
  • Plan to sell yourself.
  • Prepare answers to questions you may be asked.
  • Prepare two or three relevant success stories
    that describe your skills, education, experience,
    or personal qualities.
  • Bring a duplicate application package to the
    interview.
  • Present a professional image to your potential
    employer.
  • Arrive at the interview five or ten minutes
    early.

38
During the Interview
  • Shake hands firmly.
  • Establish and maintain eye contact.
  • Avoid criticizing previous employers or others.
  • Keep the interview focused on your strengths.
  • Describe past jobs...dont evaluate them.
  • Ask relevant, meaningful questions. Do you have
    a mentoring program? Are Board curriculum
    documents readily available?
  • Conclude the interview by summarizing your
    strongest qualifications.

39
Coping With Inappropriate Questions
  • Sample 1 Inappropriate Question
  • I understand that you have three children. Are
    your family responsibilities going to interfere
    with your work?
  • Sample 1 Deflecting Answer
  • Ive made arrangements for excellent child care,
    and a backup plan has already been worked out
    with my caregiver, so there wont be a problem.

40
Coping With Inappropriate Questions Continued
  • Sample 2 Inappropriate Question
  • You have applied to teach primary/junior/intermedi
    ate/senior students. You are so young and
    petite. Arent your afraid that youll have
    discipline problems with this age group?
  • Sample 2 Deflecting Answer
  • I have practice taught in numerous
    primary/junior/intermediate/senior classes and
    had no problem with discipline in the absence of
    the associate teacher. I believe discipline
    based on mutual respect will be effective
    regardless of age or gender of the students.

41
Coping with Inappropriate Questions Continued
  • Sample 3 Inappropriate Question
  • You have young children at home. Wont you find
    it difficult to do your share of extracurricular
    activities after school?
  • Sample 3 Deflecting Answer
  • My resume shows that I have been successfully
    involved in work with choirs and volleyball
    coaching outside my regular hours at the Faculty
    of Education last year.
  • My child care arrangements are excellent. I will
    simply arrange an extension of my caregivers
    hours in order to participate in extracurricular
    events, school meetings, parent interviews, or
    any other school related occasions.

42
After the Interview
  • Consider writing a letter thanking the
    interviewer.
  • Be prepared for a follow-up telephone call
    seeking clarification. (Prepare your family
    and/or roommates for the incoming call.)
  • As you acquire more practice teaching reports,
    mail copies take them into the school or board
    office.

43
REMEMBER...
  • The interview is never over...even when they say
    its over!

44
Good LuckIn Your Job Search!
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