# Job hunt advice for a prospective teacher **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 27, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689 "2007-06-27T21:36:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/1 "2007-06-27T21:36:30Z")
I’m in the process of hunting for a teaching job. I’ve submitted my cover letter, resume, and letters of reference to over a dozen local schools. For some of them, I’ve submitted for specific positions; for others, I’ve given a generic submission. My question concerns what I should do when a new position opens at a school that already has my resume. Do I: 1. Do nothing, assuming like a schlub that they already have my materials and will call me if they’re interested? (I’m pretty sure this is the wrong approach, even though it seems perfectly logical to my inner vulcan). 2. Send them an email saying that I’m interested in the new position and that they already have my materials? 3. Call them with that same information? 4. Send a nice letter to them with that same information? 5. Hand-deliver a whole new packet with all my stuff in it? I’m guessing the best answer is 2, 3, or 4, but I’m not really sure which of these is best. Any advice–but especially advice from those who hire, and especially especially advice from school principals–is appreciated! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/2 "2007-06-27T21:45:30Z")
If you’ve already submitted materials, then the best idea is to call the District Office or whoever is doing the hiring and ask to talk to the secretary in charge of personnel. Ask her politely to see that your packet gets put into the pool of “applicants for consideration.” Anything more than that is pushy. But a gentle reminder is often a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/3 "2007-06-27T22:35:46Z")
Start subbing at the school that you specifically want to work in. Seriously. I have five friends who are teachers, and they all got a job in their desired school by doing that. It allowed them to build relationships with the faculty ahead of time, and when they put their bids in, they were chosen because they had already gotten that foot in the door. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/4 "2007-06-27T23:56:32Z")
It pains my inner Vulcan if this is not an online process. If I am perhaps misunderstanding, and you’re referring to submitting in an online process, I do strongly recommend resubmitting for new specific openings. While my experience is not related to hiring teachers, in other hiring it is common to look at the applicants for a specific position first, then, if necessary, to search the database other qualified applicants. If this is not an online process, I’d suggest calling the school to find out how they prefer you handle it. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/5 "2007-06-28T00:49:42Z")
The district human resources department has your information; it’s okay to email the principal of the school you want to work at with a polite “Hi, my name’s Severus Snape, I’d love to be considered for the position teaching Defense against the Dark Arts. I have a master’s degree in Advanced Evil and four years of experience in a similar position. My resume is on file with the district but I’d be happy to send you a copy…” ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/6 "2007-06-28T01:48:14Z")
Answers: 1. I turned in subbing applications at four schools as soon as my student teaching was done; for better or worse, that ship has sailed, it being summer and all. 2. The application is online, but due to a bureaucratic snafu [that was completely out of my hands and that infuriates me, but that’s another thread] my teaching license is being delayed by six weeks–that is, until just before the school year begins. If I rely on the principals to look at the online application, they’ll almost certainly filter for people with a license, which filters me out until August. I need to contact them directly in some way. 3. The district does indeed have my copy–as does the individual school that is now advertising a new opening. One more wrinkle in the situation is that this school also has a new principal. I’m leaning toward the idea of calling the secretary; of course, that depends on the secretary’s industrious attitude, I fear. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/7 "2007-06-28T01:49:48Z")
The protocol here varies TREMENDOUSLY between districts. In some places, it’s a hideous faux paux to have contact with anyone but the district office: other places, the district office has no actual hiring duties and while they take resumes, no one knows why–all principals hire directly. Call the school and ask the main office lady what you should do. She likely knows better than anyone else. Be nice to her. She likely runs the school. You can be young and unsure–as long as you are eager and respectful, she will love to tell you the right way to do things. Remember, too, that mid-summer is when principals are reassigned. So your stuff may get lost in the shuffle when everyone moves offices. I would lean towards reapplying for that reason alone. Do you know people that know people? As in any industry, that’s the best way to get a foot in the door. Posted jobs may not mean much, as there can always be internal shifting done. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/8 "2007-06-28T01:50:55Z")
And where are you? Approximately. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/9 "2007-06-28T01:57:30Z")
Thanks, **Manda Jo**! I’m in NC, and I have had district people tell me to apply directly with the school. I’m totally comfortable with that part. My question is much more specific, i.e., does it annoy prospective employers to be repeatedly contacted by a prospective employee for different positions? I like the idea of contacting the secretary and talking with her about the situation. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/10 "2007-06-28T12:43:30Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] My question is much more specific, i.e., does it annoy prospective employers to be repeatedly contacted by a prospective employee for different positions? [/QUOTE] You want your name in the forefront of the mind of whoever does the hiring. Thus you want to tread the fine line between eager and obsessive. Phone calls (in my experience) can be overdone; snail mail much less so. But this - > [@Manda JO](#): > > Do you know people that know people? As in any industry, that’s the best way to get a foot in the door. is probably the best advice you will get. Good luck! Let us know what happens! Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/11 "2007-06-28T15:42:58Z")
My mom is the personnel secretary for a local school district. I sent her your post. In her school district (maybe 4500+ students?) it’s the Assistant Superintendent who does the hiring and firing. There are 4 elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. She is the secretary for the Asst. Super. and thus “the personnel office.” So one thing you need to find out in your search is who does the hiring - the school principal or the central office? Once you figure that out, you need to contact the secretary of the appropriate person. Her answer, then, is: > [@](#): > > Everything but #1, do nothing. All of the other stuff is common practice. I would space the others out so he is not doing everything too close together. > Make sure his certification matches the job posting. Refer to position in communications. She’s been the personnel secretary for about 5 years now (before that, she worked in the office for about 10 years but at a lower position). Over the years I have heard her repeatedly talk about good impressions new hires make on her and them getting the job _because they show interest in the position._ A school is like any other business - busy. You have to fight for the job and remind them that you are there and you are qualified. If they have your resume on file they do not keep it in any “possible candidates for this job” pile. You need to PUT your resume on top of that pile by following up. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-hunt-advice-for-a-prospective-teacher/409689/12 "2007-06-28T19:08:32Z")
Okay, on folks’ advice, I emailed the secretary of the school the following. Suggestions for improvement for future such contacts would be highly appreciated! > [@](#): > > My name is Daniel …, and I have just completed the K-6 licensure program through [school]. I am looking for a position as an elementary school teacher in the [local] School system. I would like to be considered for the first grade position at [your school]. > > I have completed the online application and turned in all application supplements at the district office; in addition, in late May I brought a copy of all application materials to [your school]. Would it be possible to pass this packet along to [the person doing the hiring], or would it be better for me to deliver a new packet specifically for this > opening? > My website, [website], contains samples of my lesson plans, teaching philosophy, and other relevant material. > > Thank you for your consideration for this position. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email, or at [phone], if there is any additional information I can provide. > > Yours truly, > Daniel … > [contact info] [Note: I’m redacting all contact information because of a weird stalker incident that happened through these boards a couple of years ago] Thanks for all the advice, folks! Daniel