Before changing careers it is important that you have done the requisite self-analysis and concluded that a career change is the proper course of action. The next logical question is how can you possibly use your education degree in any other career?
At this point you are probably poised for a litany of specific job and career options to be listed. I hate to disappoint you but I need for you to start this process with the simple premise that you can do whatever it is you want to do with your education degree!! Yes, it is imperative that you have the self-confidence necessary to pursue any professional area that you deem desirable. Too often those of us in education tend to feel as though everyone in the "real world" is smarter, more driven and more business savvy. If you don't truly believe that you can compete in the non-education world, you will have a very difficult time successfully doing so.

If confidence is the key to success, how do you acquire/improve it? Awareness is the answer to that question and it comes in three steps: awareness of your direction, awareness of your options within your chosen direction and awareness of your transferable skills. Determining your direction is essential and typically requires a very thorough analysis of your interests, personality traits and work values. Any good career decision-making book on the market such as, What Color is Your Parachute?, will have exercises to help you organize your thoughts in this step. It is very important here to dream big and ask how you might be able to accomplish your goals, rather than play the "yes, but" game. We all live with realities in life but we are also all quite capable of stretching our pre-conceived realities!!

After determining a tentative direction, further exploration is required to create your awareness of options available to pursue your next career or job. In some areas these options can be as simple as reading about the field or a particular company, networking with folks in that area and possibly even volunteering in order to get some first-hand experience. With other careers/jobs, the exploration reveals specific credentials that are required to enter the profession. Do not be discouraged from tackling those credentials. You have done it once with your teaching certification and you can do it again, if that is where your heart lies. Remember the points made in the previous two paragraphs about confidence and pre-conceived realities!!

Finally, as you venture forth on a new career/job path you must know that you have gained a tremendous amount of experience and honed some very transferable skills in your years as a teacher. These are experiences and skills that employers will relish, if you only take the time to assess what those might be and highlight them in your job search process. I don't have the space here to adequately elaborate on those transferables, but any good career counselor will gladly help you to determine yours. Also, the book, 101 Career Alternatives for Teachers by Margaret Gisler, spends some time on this topic and has some valuable self-discovery exercises.

In this career/job change process it is always valuable to put yourself in the shoes of a person who might consider hiring you. Do you think that any rational employer wants to take a chance on someone who has no direction, has not made an effort to research the field/credentials/company and worst of all, has no clue how their presence will add value to the organization? It's not good enough to dream about changing careers/jobs, you have to work hard to make your next field a successful fit!!

Curt Schafer
Director of Career Services
Texas State University

Posted by AAEE at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Put yourself in the shoes of the administrator who has to fill a teaching vacancy. You have 80 resumes and cover letters for one teaching job and after a while they all start to look the same.

If you want to get a teaching job, you need to use your resume as a marketing tool to stand out from the other applicants.

•It is important to do your research. Mention the name of the school or administrator on the letter cover. This shows that you have done your homework and have taken the time to individualize your application packet.
•Inventory your experience: Employers want to know what you have done and what you bring that is worthy of consideration.
•Choose a format that is easy to read.
•Include buzzwords. Emphasize your classroom management skills, and your ability to differentiate lessons. Show that you can talk the talk!
• Action words will emphasize your responsibilities and outcomes. Do not use the words "responsible for" when describing your duties.
•Proofread and review your resume. It is imperative that your resume and cover letter be grammatically correct and error free. Have someone else check your document.
•Network: Take advantage of career events scheduled at your university or career fairs hosted by school districts and have your resume ready to share. Take the opportunity to meet recruiters so that they will remember you.

Here are some things to consider as you draft your resume. Ask yourself the following questions to uncover your accomplishments:
Have you taught special-needs students, at-risk youth, ESL learners or some other distinct population? Have you incorporated any technology enhancements to promote learning across the curriculum?

Good luck!

Rita C. Moreno
Program Coordinator
College of Education, Career Services
Austin, TX

Posted by AAEE at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

I work as a Human Resources Director for a large school district in the Denver metro area. Years ago, I re-located to Colorado for career opportunities and the quality of life. It appears that people still are drawn to Colorado and so I deal with a steady number of out-of-state applicants. Sometimes, the short time frame and the long distance challenge our ability to connect with the best and the brightest from out-of-state. On a limited basis, we've used phone interviews and more recently Skype interviews to interview candidates. I've viewed some effective tips on Skyping on You Tube. For this blog, I will concentrate on tips for phone interviews.

First of all, be as professional as possible even though your interviewer cannot actually see you. Make sure to follow all the protocols that would be followed if you were physically at the interview table. Remember the names of the individuals that you are talking to. A pad of paper may be helpful to jot down critical information.

Remove all distractions from you location such as turning off radios, television, computer and cell phone. Make sure that all ambient sounds are limited so that the person or committee interviewing you will be able to hear you clearly. Isolate yourself in room where you will not be interrupted by others. If you are calling from home, children and animals will have to be accounted for.

Make sure to have a backup plan in case the phone call gets interrupted or you lose your signal. Provide an additional number, such as a cell phone number to continue the interview. Remember the interview committee will be on a time schedule to follow on their end.

Listen carefully to each question and be aware of who is asking you those questions. You will not have the advantage of critical body language cues that you would have in a live face-to-face interview. Conversely, they will not have access to that either. Be as "interactive" as possible because of that fact. Remember to smile. Even though they will not see your smile, sometimes, your friendliness can be detected.

Most of the tips are common sense and similar to face-to-face interviews. Keep a watch or clock handy. Be aware of how many questions are going to be asked and pace your answers accordingly. At the end, ask when you can expect results from the interview.

When the interview is complete, make sure that your telephone connection is completely cut off. I recommend that you follow up with a thank you for the phone interview. It is often an "extra step" for your interviewer and showing your appreciation can't hurt.

Jack Kronser
Director of Human Resources
Aurora Public Schools
Aurora, CO

Posted by AAEE at 12:54 PM | Permalink | 1 Comment | Recommend

Many times I am asked by out-of-state applicants how to get a job? Here are some tips that might help.
•Complete the online application and apply for posted jobs on the school's website. Send a cover letter and a resume (email or hard copy) to the principal.
•Do your homework on the school district and the location of the school district. Principals and recruiters will know that you are serious about moving if you have done research and aren't asking questions like, "Where are you located?" or general questions about their school district.
•Come out to visit in the spring which is when most jobs are advertised. Also, look for jobs fairs to attend. Let schools with posted jobs know that you will be in town.
•Try to make more than one visit. The more that you come out the more chances you have of meeting with someone. If you have friends or family in the area, try to do an extended stay.
•When you visit, bring along your resume and drop them off at schools. Some people will tell you not to do this, but as a former principal, I recommend it. If someone took the time to drop a resume off, I looked at it! Please note that you probably won't be able to meet with the principal and make sure that you are nice to the office staff. (You wouldn't believe how many people wanted a job that weren't nice to my secretaries.)
•Move! It is scary to come to a new place without a job, but honestly you increase your chances if you are in town. There is no bias in regards to out-of-state candidates; it's just that in-state candidates can come to interviews on short notice and there are no issues around relocation, start date, etc. Many times the candidates that move here start out as substitutes. Through subbing, someone can recognize how good they are and maybe they can fill in on a short term leave.

Todd Fukai
Director of HR, Cherry Creek School District

Posted by AAEE at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

I frequently have opportunities to participate in panel discussions where several local Human Resources directors are asked to provide insight into the teacher recruitment process. These are typically sponsored by either career centers or education department s of local colleges and universities. There are frequent questions that are asked over and over.

One such question is: In the event I am unable to find a teaching position, should I purse my Master's degree? Would that hurt my chances for getting hired? Would I be "too expensive" to be hired?

In most large school districts, hiring decisions are made at the individual school level. Interviews are conducted there and the recommendation for hire flows to central office, typically to the office of Human Resources. HR examines all the documentation on the individual such as reference letters, transcripts, resume and verification of employment. Based on that process, the salary is determined and an offer is made.

The answer to the initial question about pricing one's self out of the market is, no. The recommendation for hire is made at the building level. Once that decision is made, the pay is determined at a different level. In rare cases, in some small school districts, schools may have a budget limit that determines if a person with a Bachelor's level should be hired over one with a Master's. That is not the case with large school districts.

The type of Master's degree may impact if you have a better chance of being offered a contract or not. In Colorado high schools, certain courses may be offered for dual credit. That means that a student may get both high school and community college credit if the course is taught by a teacher with a Master's degree in their field (such as Mathematics or English). If the Master's degree is in a broader field like Curriculum and Instruction, the class that they teach would not be eligible for dual credit.

Jack Kronser
Director of Human Resources
Aurora Public Schools
Aurora, Colorado

Posted by AAEE at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Yes, it is true that now is a tough time to be looking for a job. But there are other truths about the job search that will help keep your motivation high and improve your likelihood of employment success in 2012:

• Hard is not the same as impossible. Remember why you chose education as a profession, and fix your eyes on that goal. Believe that the right job is out there.


• Job searching should start earlier than you think and will take longer than you think it should. This is especially true for new grads. Building your network and prospecting job leads should be part of what you are doing now if you are looking for a new job in the next 6 months. Long hiring lead times are common. If you've been looking for a while, that's normal. Hang in there.


• Job searching is time consuming, especially if you do it well. In fact, success depends on viewing your job search as a 24/7 task. Keeping the job search uppermost in your mind enables you to find opportunities in new ways and unexpected places. Always be ready to engage in a job hunting conversation with someone who might have information that would benefit you. As Louis Pasteur said, "Chance favors the prepared mind."


• Go above and beyond in your job search. A job search is made up of more than a resume and application. The way you follow up, how well you interview, how professionally you present yourself and so on all are part of the "package" you present to a prospective employer. The way you conduct your job search, start to finish, shows the employer the kind of effort and enthusiasm you will bring to the job. Doing only what's required is like getting a "C" on an assignment, and in this economy employers aren't lining up to hire average performers. Make sure you manage ALL aspects of the job search well. Pace yourself and give attention to the details.


• Willingness to relocate improves employment prospects. There are jobs out there, and you will have more success if you are open to moving to where the jobs are, or teaching in underserved populations.


• Consider education employment opportunities that are outside of traditional classroom environments. Instructional design, corporate training and development, adult education programs, non-profit organizations that offer education programming, curriculum development, educational testing or publishing and even educational outreach for theaters, museums, or other cultural venues are just some of the options where the skills of a educator would be highly valued.

Posted by AAEE at 7:14 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Sometime in your job search, you will likely have an interview that doesn't take place in person. School districts have been conducting phone interviews for many years, but more and more districts are turning to Skype as a means of interviewing candidates. And while you should prepare as thoroughly for a virtual interview as you do for one that is face-to-face, there are some additional factors to consider when interviewing virtually.

Dress the part. Even if the interviewer can't see you, your mindset is affected by your attire.
Arrive early. Be ready 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Don't forget to visit the bathroom BEFORE the interview starts.
Test out the technology. Make sure that everything is connected and working. Do a sound check and check the lighting in the room if you'll be on a webcam. Make sure that your cell phone has good reception and a full battery. You don't want to seem unprepared.
Eliminate distractions. Choose a location where you're not going to be interrupted and you'll have a table or desk for your materials. Ask your roommates to keep it quiet. Put the dog outside. If you're not conducting the interview on your cell phone, turn it (and other phones in the house) off. If you're on Skype, make sure that your surroundings are tidy.
Organize your materials. Although it's true that you can have more information at your disposal when you are not face to face, shuffling through papers or looking away from the webcam to check your notes will backfire virtually the same way it would in person. If you want to have extra information available, make sure you've organized it in a way that's easily accessible without breaking the flow of the conversation.
Think about how you sound. Since phones and webcam microphones distort sound, you may need to take care to speak a bit more slowly or distinctly. Your manner of delivery should sound professional and upbeat, and remember, even if you can't be seen, a smile can still be heard!
Focus on the interviewer and what they are saying. If you're doing a webcam interview, look at the camera, not at the screen. If you're on the phone, make sure you're listening closely. When you aren't face to face, it's more difficult to maintain attentiveness.

With a little innovative preparation, you'll be able to get past the barriers of not being face-to-face!

Diann Lloyd-Dennis
Assistant Director of Programs and Training
Center for Calling & Career
Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN

Posted by AAEE at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Interview success depends on mastering not only what you say with your words, but also what you say with your demeanor and actions.

Attitude: Experienced recruiters pick up on attitudes quickly. You don't want to be perceived as arrogant (I'm totally qualified for this job) or disinterested (I'm not all that excited about the prospect of working for you). Show your savvy by matching your demeanor to the context of the interview and the frame of reference of the interviewer. You may not get it 100% right, but your efforts will be noticed and will have a positive benefit. Just one word of caution: never forget that an interview is a professional interaction, not a conversation between friends. Your attitude can be cordial without being inappropriately casual.

Behavior: Actions speak louder than words! You show disrespect for the interviewer and the process if you act unprofessionally. Inappropriate dress is one of the most damaging interview mistakes a candidate can make. Additional things like poor posture, lack of eye contact, fidgeting, arriving late or forgetting to turn off your cell phone all send the message that you are either completely clueless about how to behave or you know what you should do but just don't care. Neither goes over well in an interview! Instead, try reading a couple of internet articles about appropriate dress, and ask someone in your career services office to double check your outfit. And while you're at it, doing mock interviews with a career professional will help you evaluate the non-verbal messages you send.

Communication: The interview is not a social conversation. What's completely appropriate among friends may be completely inappropriate in the interview. Slang, crude talk, babbling or stammering all represent you in a less professional light. Talking negatively about previous employers or other educators is also a bad idea. Be sure you can say what you need to say clearly, concisely and professionally. In fact, practicing out loud gives you a much better feel for the effectiveness and appropriateness of what you will say in an interview. Show respect in the way you communicate, both face to face and via email. One final warning: your online profile (Facebook, Twitter) is also a way you communicate about yourself. Clean it up before you start applying or interviewing.

No one is suggesting that you pretend to be someone you're not, but successful interviewing matches the message with the context of the interview. Working to eliminate the places where differences might negatively stand out will help you survive and THRIVE in an interview.

Diann Lloyd-Dennis
Assistant Director of Programs and Training
Center for Calling & Career
Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN

Posted by AAEE at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Your "personal brand" is your unique promise of value - what those around you expect from you - what you are known for. It includes your credibility, visibility, personality & personal style. It is the MOST effective and innovative strategy you can use to achieve professional success and career satisfaction. It allows you to distinguish yourself from others and demonstrate your value to employers. Your success will depend on the personal brand you create and your ability to nurture and manage that brand.

Building your personal brand takes time. Think of brands that are familiar to you (ie, Coke, Apple, Microsoft, Nike) - these brands didn't happen overnight - it took time to build the reputation of quality and excellence. And these brands are constantly improving their products and strategically positioning themselves in the marketplace. You should be doing no differently with your personal brand.

To define and develop your personal brand you must first know yourself. This process of self-evaluation helps you to identify your values, strengths, passions, and clarify your goals. In addition to knowing yourself, it is important to know others' perception of you, because in today's world success means consistently demonstrating your value not only to your boss, but to your colleagues as well. And knowing others' perception of you gives you insight to your brand attributes - the adjectives people use to describe you - both positive and negative. Your personal brand ultimately exists in the hearts and minds of other people - so perception is reality.

Be sure that your personal brand is evident in all of your marketing materials - your resume, job search letters, your online identity. You should also be able to clearly articulate your brand in a job interview.

Personal branding requires you to shift to a new mindset - to see yourself as your own career manager and understand that career management is an ongoing dynamic process. And remember that in today's fast-paced work environment your reputation is your most valuable career asset - and your reputation is your personal brand.

Pam Folger
Director, Career Center
Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Posted by AAEE at 5:39 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

This comment, made by a recruiter at a conference I attended a couple of years ago, points to the need for educators to engage in best practices in all aspects of their job search. If you are to stand out in a candidate pool that might number in the hundreds of applicants, you simply must do more than only what is required by the application process.

What does initiative look like in the job search?

Seek knowledge about the district and school you are applying to. Spend at least 30 minutes browsing the website of the district you are applying to. You need to know what their mission is, what their challenges are, and how you can contribute to those objectives. And while you're at it, look at the website of the specific school if they have one. It doesn't hurt to recognize the names and faces of key players in the hiring process, and you'll often find them on a district or school website.

Stay in touch with others in the field. Written thank you notes or follow up with employers is an under-practiced skill. Personal follow up shows that you paid attention to the names of the people you've had contact with; that you appreciate their time; and most importantly, that you want to work for them. In addition, stay in contact with others who have been instrumental in your educational preparation. Take the time to thank them in writing or give them a phone call. It will make you stand out and leave a favorable impression.

Join a professional association and participate in it. If you become actively involved, you'll gain access to colleagues, information about education best practices, and job leads. Launching your professional life starts now, whether or not you're currently employed. Many professional associations allow students to maintain their memberships even after graduation.

There is no room for "average" in a job search. You send the wrong message to a prospective employer if you only do what is required, even if you do it well. Meet the employer's expectations for applicants, and then exceed them. Move your grade from "C" to "A" by bringing innovation and thoroughness to your job search strategy.

Diann Lloyd-Dennis
Assistant Director of Programs and Training
Center for Calling & Career
Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN

Posted by AAEE at 5:17 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend