Job; Applicant; Lack of experience?

Question

How did you manage to get your first job even though you were unexperienced? I'm looking for a job as a teacher but all private schools seem to require at least 2-3 years of previous experience. What do I do? I'm starting to feel very disappointed. Please help.

I do have applied for a substitute teacher.

Answer 1

I am a little confused. Are you looking for a k-12 job or higher education? I will assume k12 and go from there if that is not the case feel free to ignore the rest. Private school is not all it is cut out to be. They like expierence because it proves some sort of qualification because a lot them do not require a teaching license this allows them to find people who can still teach. Private schools tend (note TEND) to pay less and offer fewer benefits so be careful getting stuck in private schools. I work with a guy who spent 8 years in a private school and will now work 8 years longer than his wife to qualify for full retirement. That said I would recommend public school for job security and future.

Now getting a job comes down to putting yourself out there. Some districts allow you to file one application to the district that they make available to their principals while others you have to go to each school. Regardless stop by every school that intrests you and drop off a resume and cover letter. Your goal is to get an interview. Most public schools require a minimum number of interviews before a position can be filled and so a lot of new teachers get those spots and a good interview goes a long way. I have sat on the interview commitee for the last four years at my school and I will tell you new teachers out do the old timers a lot of the time and get the job. Be excited and listen well to the questions so that you answer the question and not some tangent. Do not be ashamed of your lack of expierence because we all started somewhere.

New teachers offer a lot of strengths. They are full of energy and want to learn so they will pick up that schools systems and methods they will train easily. They are also not set in their ways so are willing to try new things and technology. Think about extra curriculars you are interested in. Can you coach or would you be willing to advise a club? Express intrest in school events and follow through. Go to the game on friday night, catch the latest play express a desire to be part of the community. Your content knowledge is current and not behind the times so be willing to teach any course your handed the first year is one where you stay a few steps ahead of the kids anyways. ASK ABOUT A MENTOR PROGRAM!!!!!!! you don't want a job where they hand you keys a map and send you off.

Old teachers have these 30 year old laminated lesson plans(BAD) Any new idea that comes out they fight and oppose because they like their way. They raise the question....why did you leave your last post? Got bored wanted something new or just hated that school and weren't happy because the grass ain't greener over here I promise.

The moral......being new isn't a major ding so get some confidence hit the schools with a good cover letter get yourself to the interview and let them know you really want to do this and you want to do it there.

Answer 2

I am an elementary school teacher and have been for about 25 years now. I got my first teaching job by taking a long-term substitute job for a teacher that retired in before the school year was out. I had the next 6 months or so to prove myself and found that this was the best way to get in to a school district and get hired permanently for the following school year. If you do a good job as a substitute teacher, your colleagues and management will jump on the chance to hire you should an opening come up. At the very least, they will be able to highly recommend you for a position at a school that is hiring. Substituting experience is very valuable, in my opinion, if you take jobs across the grade levels. This makes you more versatile and lets you, the teacher, see what grade level(s) you prefer or are strongest in. Don't get disappointed...take on a substitute position and show the school that you are an invaluable resource and can be counted on to help out when needed. Trust me...a good substitute does not stay a substitute for long. They usually get hired at the first opportunity. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

You could sign up with some agencies to do supply work. It's hard going but you'll get the experience you need. Are you recently qualified? Your course leader or tutor should be able to offer you some advice. When I did my PGCE I went down the supply route (as I'd had a baby at the end of the course and didn't want a full time job) but most of my colleagues got permanent positions in schools, albeit state ones - the private sector may be different. Good luck!

Answer 4

In most cases, and I think this is especially true of private schools, they like to see that their applicants have spent some time in the trenches. I'm a college professor, and many of the peers who earned the doctorate alongside me discovered along the way that they really hated teaching--most K-12 schools aren't willing to take the risks involved in letting young teachers "try out" the career in the same way. At most schools, they hope to find good teachers and keep them for the duration of their careers. They don't want to have high turnover at the entry level.

Accordingly, assuming you've got the appropriate degree for the position you want, you may need to log some time at a public school (where high turnover is much more common, and they will hire based solely on credentials) or work at some other position (a tutoring center like Kaplan, volunteer literacy programs, etc.) to let them know that you can handle the rudiments of the gig. Most teaching degrees build the practicum in to their programs, but if you don't have that kind of experience under your belt, you may need to sell a private school on your abilities with some other combination of appropriate experiences.

Answer 5

Can you try to get some jobs as a substitute teacher first? Don't schools take people's names for possible substitute positions?

You could also try to do some related work in the meantime, like tutoring so you can show that you have some related experience.

Answer 6

The good news is - we've all been in your shoes and we've all gotten jobs... Hang in there. The bad news - it's a VERY competetive job market.

The key to your success will be your interview. If you are a dynamic, high energy, team player with lots to offer a school building a principal wont care how much experience you have or don't have. You have to do a great job of compensating for your lack of teaching experience with your energy and desire to teach. Good luck and practice your interview techniques and update a portfolio!!

Answer 7

Hi sweety,
Sorry to hear that. I know what it feels like. When you go to a foreign country, it's even worse! Have you tried approaching day care places etc? As they don't require as much but it will create a good appearance and build your C.V. Try also to get involved in community and charity work that involves children. It will look good, give you experience and give you great reward. I have a friend who is just gone into it so I could try get some more advice.
M xx

Answer 8

Become a teaching assistant for a couple of years. Local authorities are always advertising in the newspapers for those.

Answer 9

Maybe try state schools first, and when you have experience go for the private option.

Answer 10

worked for a low salary, Learnt multiple skill, producing perfection,
made my presence felt and finally inevitable!