Over the last few weeks, I have been visited by many teaching candidates frustrated at their lack of success in finding a teaching job for this school year. This is not surprising given the tight job market. So, what can you do? 1. Last Minute Jobs There are still teaching jobs available. Surprised? There are a variety of reasons. For example, student enrollment increases suddenly at the end of summer, teachers become ill or pregnant, or new teachers do something egregious and are let go. If any of these should happen, administrators may not go back to their applicant pools ...

Dear Career Corner Readers, First, let me apologize for the long gap in entries to our blog. The combination of "summer haze" and a bit of soul-searching on the best way to continue this blog caused the delay. In fact, we are still looking for ways to make this forum more viable and useful to you all, so please let us know if you have any thoughts on how we can do so. Much is happening in the field of education these days and I am afraid that on the teacher hiring front, the news is not that positive. Most ...

"Budget reductions, fewer teaching positions all around, a very competitive market in most teaching areas." Not the words new teachers want to hear after spending four plus years in college to pursue a career they have dreamed about forever. Those same words also create havoc in the human resource departments of school districts across the metro area and beyond. The significant challenges include trying to determine teaching assignments that meet the needs of all students, ensuring compliance of NCLB regulations, asking employees to take on more responsibilities for the same, or reduced salary, and adhering to contractual agreements often bring ...

Reader Question: I am searching for education head-hunters who have a proven record of matching educators with school districts. Please share a few (2-3) top head-hunters. Thank you for your assistance. Reader Answer: Dear Reader, The hiring practices for teaching positions do not typically include head hunters since they do not really fit into the education application process nor are they used by school districts except sometimes in the case of Superintendent or Principal searches. Each school district across the country uses its own preferred application system which requires candidates to complete the district's application and send/upload additional supporting ...

Reader Question: I am a person who would like to become a teacher. I currently live in the midwest, but I would move anywhere the occupation took me, especially if I could land a job with Dodds and teach overseas. I have my undergraduate degree and have been in the business world for 11 years. I am registered to start my MA in teaching shortly, but need to know if a felony conviction from 14 years ago for retail theft will hinder my certification.--C Answer: Dear C., Certification requirements vary by state as do regulations for various offenses. Often, ...

You've been offered a job. You're not sure you want the job but you say yes. Then you have second thoughts and decide maybe this job isn't the one for you after all. Or perhaps a better offer comes along. What do you do? The best answer is to prevent this kind of scenario from ever happening. As you journey down your job search road, construct your strategies with an ethical mindset. Build your reputation to be a person of your word, a person others can count on, a person others can trust, a person with integrity. You will go ...

Reader Question: I am an elementary credentialed teacher in California. I want to know about teaching job fairs recruiting for New York City, Washington D.C. or Hawaii. Can you help provide any of this information.—M. Answer: Dear M., In general, not all but most job fairs have been completed for the year. It does not appear that Hawaii, New York City, or Washington, DC have any scheduled job fairs at this time. However, feel free to view their websites and contact them using the following contact information. I have also included charter school information if that is of interest...

Are you dedicated? Committed to teaching? Do you have expertise in your field? Are you knowledgeable about effective teaching and classroom management? Do you understand learning theories? Can you differentiate your instruction with relevance to the learner? Can you collaborate with other departments and grade levels and be a team player? Are you honest, hard-working, and competent? Do you possess high-quality personal characteristics such as being conscientious, caring, confident, creative, intelligent, articulate, enthusiastic, flexible, motivated, adaptable, and have a sense of humor? If you answered yes to these questions, employers are looking for you. Now that you know what employers ...

Question: I graduated from college in spring 2009 as a physical education major, but I realize my love is special education(moderate). I never certified in physical education, but my question is should I go back to school and get another bachelor degree in special education or should I try to get a master degree in special education? From Reader MB2003 Answer: If you have a love for special education, you can see if there is a university or state program that offers a certification for special education so you wouldn't have to go back for another bachelor's degree. My ...

What advice would you offer future teachers as they search for a teaching position? This question was asked in a survey sent to over 700 teachers in North Carolina, with 344 responding. The purpose of the survey was to collect data that will ultimately help current education students understand the job search process and develop their job search strategies. This survey was administered from April 15- June 30, 2009. Here is their advice: • Be patient -"BE PATIENT! Sometimes it takes awhile for positions to become available, I got my job just a few weeks before the new school year ...