I have been in my current position for two years &
have decided to look for a new job in these recessed economic times.
But I have two questions.
Several people have said to me: If you want to advance in your career (education) you really need to stay in your job 3-5 years for it to be looked on favorably by employers.
How important is it to stay in your job more than 2 years?
All the want ads say, “Application + 3 letters of reference.”
If I don’t want my co-workers to know that I am looking for another job who else might be seen as appropriate professional references? Past professors? Past supervisors not in the educational field?
Job-hopping is seens as bad in some field, and positive in others. It really depends. Also, you need to be able to explain the move. If people in education tell you job-hopping if frowned upon, trust 'em.
If you don’t have a slightly senior co-worker who could be counted on to hook you up with someon credible to write a letter, or even quietly write you a letter, work on your social engineering at your next job.
Professors are probably okay for a five to six years after school.
Have you done any work with parent groups or politicians or volunteer organizations and made contacts that way?
It’s also possible that if you called and explained that you were interested in the job (and give some specific reasons why), but would rather not submit letters at this stage as you don’t want to compromise your current job until you know more about the new job.