Dr. Nick OsborneDr. John Dively

Dr. Marleis TroverDr. David Grace

Educational Leadership DepartmentOctober 2013

“Finding Your First Administrative Job”

Please sit in the middle, front rows!

Overview

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Current Job Market…good time to be lookingWhere to Find Job OpportunitiesCover LettersResumesInterviewsPost-InterviewJob OffersContractsOnce You Have the Job

Websites for Job Openings

IASA Job Bank http://www.illinoiseducationjobbank.org

National Association of Elementary School Principals http://careers.naesp.org/search.cfm

National Association of Secondary School Principals http://www.principals.org

American Association of School Administrators http://www.aasa.org/YourCareer.aspx

Education Week http://www.topschooljobs.org/jobseekerx/

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Cover Letters

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Only one opportunity to create a good first impression- Perfect, Perfect, Perfect

Maximum of One Page…3-4 Short Paragraphs

No Pictures, Colored Paper—20 lb. Bond Paper

Express Interest in Job and Introduce Yourself

Briefly Summarize Your Training, Education and Experience and How It Relates to this Position

Personalize the Letter…What is it about this position school or district that makes you interested?

Cover Letters

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Opening Sentences and Other Guidelines—see the handout.

Please find enclosed my application for the position of principal of Lincoln Elementary School. I have included all the required documents including my resume, unofficial transcripts, certificates, and letters of recommendation for your review.

I respectfully request that you consider this as my application for the principal position at Lincoln Elementary School. Please find attached a copy of my current resume and other relevant documents for your review.

Resumes

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Consider your audience

Stack of Applications; Short Time Span

First Consideration—First Cut: Is this person legally qualified?

Concise, Easy to Read; Use phrases and incomplete sentences to describe work experiences

Foreground Specific Duties, Experiences, That Demonstrate Leadership, Productivity, Expertise

Limit the use of first person…”I”

Use Action Words

Length? Some say 1-2 pages…others… give me everything that is relevant

1” Margins…

Perfect, Perfect, Perfect

Resume Categories

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Heading

Career Objective…?

Personal Info and Certification

Education

Work Experience

Honors and Awards

References...Letters from….?

See sample resume on page 6-7

Preparing for the Interview

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See the sample questions on page 2-3 of handout.

Do a simulated interview prior to the actual event.

Read the introduction of DuFour’s Creating the New American School.

Reread books…Current Issues

Website, Report Card, Illinois Interactive Report Card, Handbooks, School Improvement Plan, Google School News

Call someone in the district that you know regarding the Current Issues

Review the Job Description

Preparing for the Interview

Interview Considerations

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Dress Professionally

Shine shoes

Press clothes

No excessive piercings/cover tats

Go light on the perfume

Eliminate FaceBook & Other Social Media Siteshttp://www.mindflash.com/blog/2011/08/social-screening-how-

companies-are-using-social-media-to-hire-fire-employees/?view=mindflashgraphic

Interview Considerations

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Arrive early

Be yourself

Portfolio? Check ahead of time.

Listen carefully

Think and then answer the question

Be polite and courteous to everyone

Interview Considerations

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The interview is not a time to be self-effacing. Don’t be shy—you are the best candidate for this job— prove it.

If you make a mistake or fumble a word, don’t dwell on it. Drive on.

When appropriate, demonstrate that you have a sense of humor.

Themes for the Interview

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You like kids.

You are teachable and eager to learn.

You are a team player.

You are a positive person.

You understand the chain of command.

Themes for the Interview

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You appreciate the benefits of a collaborative environment.

You understand the time commitments.

An administrator’s job is to support and improve instruction.

You believe strongly in the importance of public education and its role in a democratic society.

Themes for the Interview

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Be prepared to ask a question or two when you

are provided the opportunity.

What is your timeline?

Don’t ask about money.

Send a thank you note after the interview.

If you don’t get the job…

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Send a note.

Remember that this was another opportunity to hone your interview skills.

Review your performance and make plans to do better next time.

Stay positive!

You Get the Job Offer

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Be prepared to provide a timely response. What is timely?

Now it the time to discuss salary and benefits. http://www.championnews.net/?s=salaries

Salary; Health, Life, Mileage, 403b7; Board

Paid Retirement; Vacation; Personal Days;

Sick Leave

Single Year or Multi-Year Contract?

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New administrators can get tenure via four

successful 1 year contracts

No tenure with Multi-Year

Teacher to Administrator--Retain tenure with single year + seniority

Teacher to Administrator--retain tenure with multi no seniority

Multi-Year Contract

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School boards may hire school administrators for a multiple year period of up to five years.

Multiple year agreements must be "performance-based linked to student performance and academic improvement of schools within the district."

Multi-Year Contract

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The law requires that "each …contract shall include the goals and indicators of student performance and academic improvement determined and used by the local school board to measure the performance and effectiveness of the superintendent and such other information as the local school board may determine.“ http://www.iasaedu.org/pages/uploaded_files/Document1.pdf

Once You Have the Job…Dr. Morford: Send a planter/basket of goodies to the staff…

“I’m looking forward to working with you…”

Dr. Berg: Don’t send a planter

Make Arrangements with the Superintendent to visit the school, begin preparations to hit the ground running, learn more about the community

Be sure and finish your current job in a positive manner.

EDA 5630 four (4) month Leadership Plan21

Once You Have the Job…

Do a good job, do a good job, do a good jobLearn Community’s and Your Boss’

ExpectationsBe Firm, Fair and ConsistentFollow the PoliciesDevelop a Collaborative Relationship with

School Community

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Questions????