Education Job Search Guide

STEPS IN AN EDUCATION JOB SEARCH

The most successful job search is a multi-faceted one. Try to draw from a mix of resources including: the Minnesota Education Job Fair, informational interviews with alumnae, and using the Career Development web site for easy access to job search preparation and job postings.

The Career Development Office and Resource Library are located in Coeur de Catherine 460. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Tuesday evenings, and WEC Friday evenings. Our professional career counselors are available by appointment to help with resume writing, interview preparation, job search, and career counseling. We also offer 15-minute ‘walk-in’ sessions for quick questions and short consultations. Walk-in hours are offered several times a week. Call or visit our web site for this semester’s schedule.

Search this Career Development website for a wealth of information about conducting a job search. We have a special section of job and resource links specifically for Education Majors, which will get you started with some of the best places to look when conducting your job search. Also, check out KatieClick, a Job/Internship Database, just for St. Kate’s students, which is also accessible through our website.

WRITING YOUR RESUME
The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview. It should give a clear picture of your skills and background. It makes sense to develop your resume carefully so that it makes a unique statement about you.

Steps to Writing a Good Resume
1. Check out the Career Development Resume Writing Guide available online and in our office.
2. Attend the workshop “Resume Writing for Education Majors.”
3. Put together the first draft of your resume. At the very least, get your education, student teaching, and work history data into resume format.
4. Get a resume review. You can bring your draft into Career Development during walk-in hours or for a one hour scheduled appointment. A career counselor will go over every aspect of your resume with you to fine-tune it and answer any of your questions.

DEVELOPING A COVER LETTER
A cover letter should always accompany your resume and/or job application. It should reflect your knowledge of the school district’s philosophy and needs. Since you will be composing an original letter for each district/school, you should tailor your information to each particular employer.

Steps to Developing a Good Cover Letter
1. Check out the Writing a Cover Letter guide available through the Career Development office and web page.
2. Put together the first draft of your cover letter. You may wish to bring your draft into the Career Development office, and a career counselor will go over it with you and answer your questions.

CREATING AN EDUCATION PORTFOLIO
Portfolio assessment is a growing trend in the hiring process that candidates for jobs in education should be aware of. It’s a way to prove you can do the job. Ideally, it should be a total presentation of your training and experiences that go beyond the obvious facts on your resume. Portfolio development is a process, not a one-time event, so start building it now. It is a good idea to collect the content over the course of your academic training and of course, student teaching experience.

Steps for Creating a Portfolio
1. Attend the group showing of the video “Developing a Teacher Interview Portfolio” followed by a discussion and a question/answer session. This video can also be viewed at anytime in our office.
2. Check our Developing a Teacher Portfolio guide, available in our office and on our website.
3. Bring your portfolio into Career Development during walk-in hours or as part of a scheduled appointment for resume review or interview coaching. A career counselor will review your portfolio with you and answer any of your questions.

LAUNCHING YOUR JOB SEARCH
Remember, the most successful job search is a multi-faceted one, so please be sure to utilize many different resources and approaches when conducting your search.

Job Search Resources
1. Check for job postings on the Internet, with particular focus on the list of links for Education Majors through the Career Development Website.
2. Attend the Minnesota Education Job Fair.
3. Enter your resume on the SMARTERsource internet resume database. It’s an easy and convenient way to make your resume available to employers online.

Strategies in Conducting a Job Search
1. Research a potential school district before sending out your resume or interviewing.
2. Access the Alumnae Database with a counselor to set up informational interviews with alumnae who are working for a district or in a field of special interest to you.
3. Meet with one of our Career Counselors to go over your job search plan.

PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW
Helpful Steps to Follow
1. Refer to the handout available through the Career Development office and website Interviewing for Success.
2. Attend a group showing of the video “Interviewing for Education Majors” followed by a discussion.
3. Schedule a practice interview/interview coaching session with one of our career counselors.
4. Conduct some salary research for your licensure and desired employment location by using our website or other career resources.

RESOURCE BOOKS AND MAGAZINES
There are many helpful chapters and articles in each of these resources regarding resumes, interviewing, job searching, portfolios, and much more.

· Job Search Handbook for Educators, AAEE
· Schoolhouse Magazine
· Minnesota Education Directory
· How to Get a Job in Education
· Handbook of Private Schools (Elementary and Secondary)
· Everyone’s Guide to Job Searching in Private Schools
· 101 Grade A Resumes for Teachers
· Sweaty Palms - The Neglected Art Of Being Interviewed
· How to Have a Winning Job Interview



* These resources are all available in our Career Development Resource Library. Be sure to check out our many other Education Resources also available in our library.