Any tips for how a teacher can search for a new job under the radar?

Question

I want to look for a position at another school but I dont want anyone to call my boss asking for references, because I have not totally decided to leave. I also do not want to look like I am avoiding having people contact my boss because I dont want new employers to think that I am hiding anything. What should I do?

Answer 1

I did this a few years ago.... just get a couple of your closest co-workers to write you letters of recommendation... and ask them to keep their mouths shut about it.....

Most interviewers call references AFTER the interviews.... so, if you get an interview, tell them the honest truth... say, "If you're interested in hiring me can you let me know so I can give my principal a "heads up" the s/he may be getting a call from you." Tell them why-- they will understand.

Also, since your going through the hiring process again, here's a book I wrote that may help. It's allabout getting a teaching job. It's got all the most common interview questions and answers, alongwith interview tips and more:
http://www.iwantateachingjob.com

Good luck with your job search. And good luck staying under the radar. :)

Answer 2

Many districts will allow you to apply for a transfer. The district that I'm in now won't allow you an x-fer until you've been with the district 3 years so you'll have to base your decision on that as well.
It's your perogative to request an x-fer and as long as you do it in a professional manner, there is no reason that your current boss should be kept in the dark.
It could also be an asset. If you can state in objective terms as to why you feel the need for change, many times your principal can help you find a school that is a better fit for you. If you don't turn it into a "personal issue" then it should become one. Just like teachers know their own students, principals can be flexible and make allowances if the current situation isn't the best.

Best of luck,
Mon :-)

Answer 3

You know, I am kind of going through this situation also. I want to weigh my options but at the same time I don't want to screw up what I already have. I don't know if this will help but here is what I am doing... I am waiting for the right position to open then I will tell my boss what it is that I am thinking of doing and see what she thinks. I will tell her why I am interested in this position and hope that she supports me. I will also tell her that if this position does not work out that I would be interested in keeping my current position. Tell her that it's a career move and that you need to do what feels right. She will either be very supportive or just blow you off. Maybe she will be concerned that you are not happy and try to work with and encourage you to stay. I agree with some of the other answers, it is not wise to hide what you are doing. It will look shady on your resume if you don't list where you are currently employed.

Answer 4

My view is somewhat different from the others in that I would recommend that you be above board on all of your job hunting endeavors.

It has been mentioned that if you are already tenured the board "can't fire you" (contract non-renewed) for just looking. That is correct. However (and from my own personal experience) if you are not tenured you must know and BELIEVE that your job performance has been sooooo good that the board would not opt to let you go because you're looking elsewhere. Neither school trustees or administrators wish to initiate a new candidate search just because "you're looking."

Of course, if your job performance has been such that you are presently in jeopardy of being "fired" (non-renewal of your contract) then you've nothing to lose by letting anyone in your present school know that you are actively looking elsewhere. Hiding that information will not strengthen your present position to any significant degree. And, at the point of being accused of cynicism, if you're "on the way out" and the administration knows that you're already looking, recommendations from your superiors will probably be slanted in your favor a just a bit more.

Honesty, and outstanding job performance, is always the best insurance when seeking new employment and retaining old positions.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Most potential employers understand if you don't list your current employer as a reference for that very reason. Just explain yourself during the interview and you should be fine. Good luck!

I personally didn't apply for a position at a different school until I had made up my mind to leave. I talked with my principal first and explained my reason (the one he knew about anyway, lol). He fully supported my decision and gave me some super helpful advice. My guess is he didn't want to say no and then have a disgruntled employee the following school year.

Answer 6

In our county, if you're trying to transfer from another school within the county, they won't even give you an interview or talk to you unless you've already informed your principal that you're looking.

With the way principals see each other at meetings and talk, it's not a great idea to try to interview without telling your principal first.

I think the only exceptions are if you are going out of state or out of county (basically, any different system), or if you're looking at a different field besides teaching.

You might also consider posting your resume online, like at monster.com, and see if you get any hits. I don't know that schools look at it all that much, but I think it's free, so it doesn't hurt to try.

Good luck job hunting!

Answer 7

Teaching is working in the public sector, which means trying to hide things is never good policy. If you are tenured, then it's easy - you don't have to hide a thing - the district can't fire you for that.

If you are not, then best to just not say anything to current bosses and go talk to prospective new places. Personnel offices simply don't have time to call on references until they've decided to hire you anyway. Plus, with the job markets as tough as they are (layoffs imminent everywhere) it is not out of the realm of normal to cover your bases. If you hear the word "cuts" ever thrown around, then you can explain to a boss that you need to "hedge your bets" by being ready in case they may lay you off. Just let him/her know that you are sending out "just in case" resumes.

Answer 8

I would suggest looking and if something interests you apply for it. Don't stress about a principal calling yours and asking about you because you do not have to take the position if it is offered to you. This won't make it seem like you want to leave your current school but that you are brushing up on interview skills. You also don't have to use your current boss as a reference, use someone else if you are concerned about it.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Do not try to go under the radar. If your principal gets wind of your interviews at other schools (and he WILL) and you have not informed him, he may not take to it kindly. He may take it as a personal betrayal.

I have seen in happen at my school. Some people who applied to other schools but ended up staying at our school suddenly found themselves under serious scrutiny. They got written up for minute deviations from schedule, had less than glowing evaluations (after years of good evaluations), got saddled with the students with poorest behaviors, and so on. Their lives became miserable.

Be upfront with your principal. Tell him that you love your present job (a little white lie is OK, I think) but would like to try a new challenge. Then tell him that you will only accept another job if it offers as much career satisfaction as your present one. That should placate him.

In the case of my school things drastically improved when we got a new principal. Now nobody wants to leave.