Group Forums >> Teachers Seeking Jobs >> why can't I get an interview?
why can't I get an interview?
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Posted 27 days ago I graduated two years ago and have completed my visual arts certification. I've been substitute teaching since I graduated and the only interview for an art teaching position that I've been on is for the school district I substitute teach in. They called me back for a second interview and to do a demonstration lesson. They wound up hiring someone who graduated from the district and who had graduated from college a month prior to being hired. I tried applying on the internet, mass mailings and recently I started trying to personally deliver my resumes thinking I could introduce myself to the person doing the hiring so he/she could put a face to the name. I met a lot of secretaries. I only went to schools that had a posting for an art opening. Yesturday I went to two schools. When asked about the art opening, one said that someone had already been reccommended for the position but it hasn't been promised to anyone yet. The other claimed that there was no art opening and yet the posting is still on their website today. I'm beginning to wonder if it's really me, or I don't know the right people... or... maybe it's both. |
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| Posted 27 days ago The problem with art is that there aren't many jobs. It's not like reading and math ... where there are mandated tests. If I were you, I'd think about how I present myself as one who would be helping with reading ... through art. I'd prepare examples of projects that were reading oriented. For example, I'd make pop-up books ... illustrated on the outside and with little stories on the inside. I'd also create Web pages with a work of art and an explanation of it ... again as an example of a reading oriented project. You need to set yourself apart from the others. Reading might be a good way to do that. Being computer savvy would be a great plus these days, especially with graphics software. Schools might want someone who can help them dress up their Web sites, too. The more you can do...the better your chances of getting an art job.
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| Posted 24 days ago Thank you for your advice. You're absolutely right. Art is more difficult to find job openings for than reading or math, but the openings do exist. I've seen the postings on school websites and I've applied. One of my favorite lessons that I've done was for the 3rd grade. I read them a book in which the moral was to be proud to be different from everyone else. Then they drew pictures illustrating what makes them different or special using crayons and watercolor. Then, they had to tell me a one or two sentence explanation which I typed up. The result was a picture book made by the class. The problem I have is that, if for whatever reason I can't even get an interview, how would any school know if I would encorporate other subjects and/or technology into my art lessons? I can only write so much in a cover letter. When I went on my one interview, they didn't even bother to look at my portfolio because, they already knew who they wanted. It's all so frustrating. |
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| Posted 24 days ago One thing for those who are seeking teaching positions is to be pro-active. It's probably better to seek jobs that don't exist...or at least aren't posted anywhere yet. Many jobs are, in fact, hidden, because principals hate to get stuck with incompetents who they don't know anything about. In a school I worked in (for many years) it was almost impossible to get a job if you didn't know someone in the school. The person in the school was expected to suggest someone worthy of the job. If not, the principal would be very upset with the recommender and make it very known. It's hard to be a stranger with nothing special to show. Find schools you're interested in working in and try to get to speak to the principal. Bring stuff you're proud of and put it on the desk when the interview starts so the principal has to see it. Being a bit different may be a good thing when it's hard to get a job. |
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| Posted 23 days ago My problem is that secretaries are very tough to get pass. Every time I go to a school to try to see the superintendent, I get " oh I'm sorry, but he's in a meeting." or " We don't normally let just anyone stop by and see her." I tried calling first, but that just got me the same results over the phone. I've applied to schools all over NY and I've recently started applying in other states as well. I send my resume and cover letter whether or not they have an art position posted. I've only been going in person to schools with art jobs posted, but honestly I don't think it makes a difference. The only school district where the secretary actually allowed me into the administrator's office was at the school district where I graduated from. It was probably because I was an alumni. I showed him my artwork and gave him my resume and he told me about an art position that would soon be available. He told me that I should definitely apply when it came up on the school's website. He assured me that he would keep me in mind for the position and that he was not just saying that. When the time came, I applied and sent him an email reminding him of who I was and what he'd said. I called and spoke to his secretary and she was not very helpful. Not only did I not get an interview for this position, but he didn't even reply to my email. |
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| Posted 15 days ago I'm looking for a job, too, but I heard some good advice about portfolios. It's not unusual for an interviewer to not even ask to see your portfolio, but before you even go in, think of ways you can show it off to help demonstrate what you're telling the principal during your interview. It goes along with being proactive in the job search; make yourself stand out as much as you can during the interview itself by USING that portfolio to your advantage. It can't hurt! |