Escape Career Quicksand by Landing the Right Job the First Time
Landing a teaching job may seem easy; however landing the right one is key!
As districts begin to market their programs, stipends, and benefits for new hires, it is important for those new to the profession to remember you have CHOICES! Perhaps the most obvious component of your decision is finding the right fit. Interviewing for jobs can be like speed dating if you’re not careful. In the beginning, everything sounds great and then after you get to know the real values and beliefs, you may question your initial decision. When you are job hunting the right fit includes location, programs, student population, campus leadership, and of course, the work family you are about to inherit.
We know that great teachers are needed everywhere so your decision to pick your work family is as important as their decision to pick you! Before you begin your job hunt, use a clear lens of self-reflection through a holistic look at your personal qualities. We often have an idea in our head of what we imagine our first teaching job, or even a job change, to be like and then we end up disappointed when the job doesn’t measure up. Be honest about the strengths you bring to a team, the subject and grade you are most passionate about, how you desire to learn, and what you anticipate to be your greatest challenges as you begin your career. Your credentials speak for themselves; however, this is only part of what you bring to a prospective employer. Consider how your personality and work ethic will add value to a campus or team. Accepting a position in a grade or subject where you lack confidence and passion can be a recipe for failure. If you know your personal challenges, consider how a potential campus or team would offer the learning experiences to help you gain confidence in that area. An example of a quality support may be a mentor, workshop, or professional learning community team.
Next, take time to think through your wish list before you say yes to a position. Utilize honest metrics for what you desire by writing down all of the key characteristics you are looking for in a work family. Consider several important things such as technology integration, professional learning support, career pathways and growth opportunities, campus culture, curriculum guides, and how staff and students are cared for. If you are an experienced teacher, be cautious of your decision to pivot too soon. Chances are, you will find many similarities from district-to-district. With education endlessly fluctuating, be optimistic about your desires without oversimplifying that initial gut-feeling you get from the interview.
When you go into an interview, be vigilant of the environment; does there seem to be a clear and established system of support for well-being? If you have a face-to-face interview and walk out with an uncanny feeling, that isn’t the place for you. It is important to follow your instincts and Let me also be clear by saying you must have a growth mindset; there isn’t a perfect school or district out there. Everyone has room to grow and your willingness to enter the profession with optimism and a positive attitude will be imperative to your success.
With the internet at our fingertips, there is a vast network of online resources for educators to utilize when they are on the job hunt. Invest time in researching the district webpage; be diligent in your research and write down the pros and cons of each district. You can look up school districts on niche.com and greatschools.org. However; be sure you dig deeper than the label you see online. If you get a chance to go for a “test-drive,” take it! Ask for a campus tour if you interview during the school day and be observant of what you see so you can begin your career in a place where you think you’ll be happy. Remember that you bring innovation, passion, and a new approach to the teaching profession. By using a clear lens of personal expectations and honest metrics for what you desire before you say yes, you can escape career quicksand and land the right job the first time.
Sandra Moore is the Executive Director of Recruiting, Mentorship and Retention at the Richardson Independent School District. Her work stems from over 20 years in education as a teacher, specialist, curriculum writer, administrator, and staff developer. Sandra is passionate about building trust within a school, working with students from all backgrounds, equity in hiring practices, generation gaps in the workforce, and finding joy in your job. In her current role she leads the new teacher mentor program, Grow2Teach Program, First-Year Teacher Academy, recruitment, and Employee Engagement.