Transcript Getting the Job - Banddirector.com

Notes from a Serial Interviewer
Preparing to Look

Documents to prepare include:
 Cover Letter
 Resume
 Transcripts
 Letters of Recommendation
 References
Cover Letter
Make it personalized
 Put in important information
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 Where you:
○ Student taught (including practicum)
○ What types of ensembles you’ve worked with
○ Extra duties you performed
 Stayed after school for S&E and B&O rehearsals
 Experience’s you’ve gained outside of your
undergraduate requirements (field
experience)
Resume
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Include any relevant information such as:
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Substitute teaching
Student teaching
Practicum
Marching band camps
Performing ensembles
Professional memberships
Awards
References
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2 pages max
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Keep it simple and easy to read
Other Documents
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Transcripts
 Order several hard copies from WSU
 Scan into the computer in PDF format
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Letters of Recommendation
 Student teaching and practicum experiences
 Other professional contacts (camps, etc.)
 Ensemble directors and other significant professors (Bianchi, Collins,
Markou, Tuohey, Vander Weg)
 Before you ask for a reference, make sure it’s going to be a good one!
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References
 Compose a list of all significant references that can be distributed when
asked for.
 Ask for permission to place someone on your reference list (common
courtesy and allows you to gage whether that person is going to say
positive things about you).
Key Points
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Presentation is everything
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These documents are your first impression
when applying for positions
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For printed copies, buy professional quality
paper
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Keep electronic copies of everything
(www.primopdf.com – free PDF software)
Where to look:
Your Network
 Job Fairs
 Consortium Websites
 State Education Websites
 State Music Education Websites
 National Music Education Websites
 Teacher Employment Websites

Your Network
NETWORK!
 State Conferences (MMC, TMEA, Etc.)
 Regional Conferences (Midwest,
CBDNA)
 Music Stores (A&G, Eastside, Marshall)
 Attend an MSBOA Meeting
 Practicum Co-op Teacher
 Student Teaching Co-op Teacher
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Job Fairs
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Bring several hard copies of your “packet”
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Dress professionally!
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Often times there are on-site interviews
that take place
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EMU COE Job Fair: 04/15/2010
 WSU’s was this past week!
Consortium Websites
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Oakland Human Resources Consortium
 www.oakland.k12.mi.us/OHRC
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Washtenaw Human Resources
Consortium
 www.wash.k12.mi.us/hr/jobs.cfm
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Only 2 of many examples
State Education Websites
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Some states require district postings,
others do not
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Differ from consort. sites in that these
are strictly postings and you must apply
for each one separately.
Selected State Websites
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Michigan
 www.mireap.net - mostly charter school jobs
 http://mich.info/michigan/education/schooldistricts.htm - district list
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Kentucky
 http://apps.kdc.state.ky.us/keps/index.cfm
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New Jersey
 www.njhire.com
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Massachusetts
 www.doe.mass.edu/jobs
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Illinois
 www.isbe.state.il.us/employment.htm
State Music Websites
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These are professional state music
organization websites such as:
 Michigan School Band & Orchestra Assoc.
○ www.msboa.org
 Texas Music Educators Association
○ www.tmea.org
 Texas Bandmasters Association
○ www.texasbandmasters.org
 California Music Educators Association
○ www.calmusiced.com
National Music Education Websites
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MENC
 www.menc.org
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Midwest Clinic
 www.midwestclinic.org
Teacher Employment Websites
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Teachers-Teachers
 www.teachers-teachers.com
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School Spring
 www.schoolspring.com
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K12 Job Spot
 www.k12jobspot.com
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Education America
 www.educationamerica.net
Applying for Positions
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How to apply:
 Hard copy submission
○ If mailed, send it certified.
○ If hand delivered, ask for the name of the person
receiving your materials.
 Email submission
○ See example
 Website submission
The Interview
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You will usually receive a call with an
appointment time. “Are you available
Saturday at 3:00am?” The answer is yes!
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Two basic types of interviews:
 Phone
○ Make sure you’re in a quiet spot
○ Make sure you have good cell phone reception
○ Maybe a glass of Scotch(?)
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In-person
In-Person Interview
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Dress appropiately
 Gentlemen:
○ Dress slacks, white shirt, solid or “prep-school” tie,
blazer
 Ladies:
○ Think conservative. Dress pants or appropiate
length skirt (pretty much all said pants are better
though). Well-tailored blouse, jacket twin set. High
heels should be day appropriate. Simple jewelry.
Easy on the cologne and makeup.
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We will discuss questions in a moment.
Getting an Offer
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First of all, realize that offers are going to be far and few
between. Prepare for lots of “Thanks, but no thanks” letters. I
have tons of those! Don’t let that get you down.
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It is acceptable to ask for 24 hours to think about the offer
and/or to ask for time to make your decision due to an
upcoming ALREADY SCHEDULED interview.
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Just because you have an offer doesn’t mean you have to
accept the job.
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Be upfront with all parties if you have multiple offers.
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Realize that you’re not going to get your dream job your first
year out. Learn from my mistake. Any job is better than no job!
Things to Consider
 Cost of living vs salary
 Is there a stipend for all of the “extra” things the
music teacher does (marching band, pep band, etc.)
 Are the arts supported in that school?
 Do you often see jobs in this school district posted?
This is a warning sign…
 Are relocation expenses covered?
 Can you handle moving away from family/friends?
Best of luck!

Anthony M. Messina

[email protected]
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Feel free to contact me with any
questions or if you need someone to
look over your documents (cover letter,
resume, etc.).