E-mail every principal, even if you have called and the secretary says he or she will call you back: For the most part, the principal is not going to call you back unless you directly address him or her.1 I guess it shows initiative. In fact, I didn't get interviewed for my current position until I had sent an e-mail to pretty much every principal across several districts and charter schools. And guess what? Even after I was hired, principals were still e-mailing me requesting interviews.
When you write your e-mails, be sure to include your resume and sound professional, like a cover letter. In fact, I used my cover letter as the body text of my e-mail and attached my resume to a Word document (nothing fancy or high-tech, and don't be a liar on your resume).
Interview tips: Good job snagging that interview. Now don't screw it up by going in with a rehearsed answer. You may hear the same questions over and over again at your interviews, but the principals are more interested in how you think and your personality. Don't be on your guard. Be comfortable with who you are and ride on what you think your best characteristics are.2In my interviews, I rested myself on the side of my chair. If there were no arm rests, I used a table near me to relax. Be sure to breathe, and don't rush to answer a question. Take a short moment to really think about the question so you don't spout out another rehashed question about classroom management. What would you really do? And oh my lord, please smile, nod, and be a part of the conversation. My dad's words of wisdom for interview tips: "The more you talk in an interview, the more you like yourself. The more you listen to the interviewer, the more they like you."3
And don't forget to follow up. They seem to like that.4
The offer: Congratulations! You got a job offer! Uh oh, was it not your first choice? Don't panic! Calmly lie5 and say you have another interview coming up and ask if you can go to that interview first to think about it. Say that you would like to call them back following the interview. If that does not work, ask for 24 hours. If that does not work, think about if it is worth passing up the job.
That's all the advice I can think of at the moment. I acquired this knowledge through 5 months of a harsh job market with loads of trial and error. So don't get discouraged because it happens to all of us, whether we are new or experienced teachers. Don't forget to keep searching even while interviewing. Connections are good!
Footnotes and Additional Commentary:
1Some districts and schools have an online application portal. If the school advises you to apply in this way, make sure you do so! From experience, my school uses a website to track applications and follow up. I know you already sent that email and called, but sometimes you just have to jump through hoops. The principal may have many people asking for jobs and needs a way to have it all organized!
2It's natural to feel nervous during an interview, but don't let it get the best of you. If you have been interviewing for awhile and feel like it's your interview that is preventing you from getting a job, ask a friend to video record you answering basic interview questions. When I was first getting started, my advisor did this, and I was mortified to see how unfriendly I looked answering questions!
3Oh, Dad! It took me awhile to realize what this meant. My interpretation is that you answer questions to the best of your abilities and to add information as needed. Don't go overboard with lengthy stories and tangents. I think of this advice any time I give feedback to teachers or listen to applicants give their responses.
4Please be mindful that following up with a thank-you note is sufficient. If you don't hear back within the timeframe the principal suggests, it's OK to place a non-desperate-sounding call back or send an email to follow up. Whatever you do, do not continuously call and check in. If you are calling back on a daily basis when the principal says it will take about a week, you are sending the wrong message. Also, if you've already followed up and not gotten a straight answer of if they are still looking for a teacher or considering you, it's time to move on to another choice. You don't want to burn any potential future bridges by being overbearing!
5I can't believe I said to lie! As an experienced member in the workforce, I am going to say that it's OK to be honest and say that you need time to consider the offer and to ask for 24 hours to respond.
