Fustrated and looking for ideas
I would like to get your reaction to my ongoing job search and what I should be doing differently. I have been teaching since 1994. In 1997 I received my certification in Maryland in social studies grades 7 -- 12. In 1998 after teaching for a year in a public school system in Baltimore I moved to Kansas City, Missouri where I began teaching in a parochial school which later became a charter school. I taught here from 1998 to 2001. In February of 2001 my daughter was born. In June 2001 I became a stay at home dad taking care of my daughter during the day and working on my Masters degree in education at night. In August 2003 I received my Masters degree in education. At that time I began actively seeking another full-time teaching position. Currently I have not found one.
I am currently working as an Account specialist with Citigroup. In this capacity I attempted to secure a training position. I was not successful. Beginning in spring of this year positive signs began to appear leading me to believe that I may be able to finally gain a full-time teaching position. The school that my daughter attends was seeking a teacher to fill a social studies position. After proceeding through two interviews and teaching a lesson I was informed that my lack of experience in certain areas kept me from being chosen for this position. They were looking for someone to teach a 60% 40% split social studies and English. Originally they were looking for someone to teach all social studies. Even though my minor is in English I have only taught one American literature class. The next position I interviewed for was also as a social studies teacher. During the interview everything seemed to be going along quite well, in fact as we neared the conclusion of the interview the principal of the school asked me what salary I would prefer. She read off a number according to the salary schedule she was looking through, and I confirmed that amount would be fine. This led me to believe that I was being seriously considered for the position. Then less than a week later I received a letter of appreciation thanking me for interviewing for the position but another candidate had been chosen. My final interview came last month. I applied for a position as a trainer and interviewed with one of the trainers and was called back several days later and told to prepare a 15 minute presentation for a group of four people. When I arrived at the presentation I first interviewed with the training department coordinator and then proceeded to give my presentation. They seemed to enjoy my presentation. They asked questions. We had some good conversation. Once again a week later I was notified that a candidate had been chosen.
I have shown my résumé to the career services department of the college where graduated. I have also spoken at length with different career counselors as well as participating in a video interview. They said my resumes looked fine. I am seeking advice.
I am trying to determine what is not working and what is working.
Why am I being called in for interviews and called back for 2nd interviews and asked to present and then not hired?
What advice can you give me?
Move to Florida, they need a lot of teachers.
Why am I being called in for interviews and called back for 2nd interviews and asked to present and then not hired?
Because you are not the only applicant.
What you might do is look at other schools in your area. Most parts of the country are DESPERATE for teachers. The schools that are looking may not be the best schools, but they are hiring. Broaden your net a bit and build your experience more then you'll be able to move to the schools you want down the road.
It looks like there are several school districts in Kansas City and surrounding area. Look at them all.
Tess
I would take the direct approach. Call the folks that you interviewed with before, the ones that made the ultimate hiring decision, and ask them. You can do so in a way that is very professional, and that any feedback they have for you would be appreciated and be helpful. They may tell you, or they may not. You have nothing to lose. Perhaps it was something that you could control. But it may be something that you didn't have any control over, and that's okay. You just move to the next opportunity.
You may be surprised at what you find, or at the very least, more knowledgeable with what you hear.
I did this myself for 2 very different jobs I applied for. The first one the manager said it wasn't really anything, just a very tough choice between me and another applicant, but that she would keep me in mind for future positions, as I had requested. I think she was a bit surprised too that I was so energetic. I let her know I really wanted this position and expressed my enthusiasm. A couple of weeks later another vacancy opened up and she called me and I accepted the position.
Another time the lady that interviewed me told me that they closed the vacancy, and instead just gave more duties to an employee that worked there. So basically the vacancy had disappeared.
So what you might think was the reason or what you assumed may not be it at all. I've been so surprised at how many times what I attributed to be the reason had nothing to do with it at all.
I assure you if you keep at it and get feedback, you'll ultimately land a teaching position that is right for you. Sometimes it's just not a match, for the applicant or the employer, for reasons beyond your control.
I have been in the teaching profession and applied for a couple of teaching positions after a very tough training process and was really emotionally frustrated that I did not get them. I kept at it, and was eventually offered another teaching position, and to be completely honest, it was by far the best match out of all them. The principal and I really got along.
Clearly you're qualified to be a teacher, that's obvious. It's just a matter of time. Keep your spirits up and keep plugging away at it.