Would taking a receptionist job hurt my chances of getting a teaching job?

Question

I live in PA. I finished my masters a year ago and moved to a new area. I began substitute teaching but get called an average of twice a week. I went to a temping agency to find more work and I am wondering, if I were to accept a permanent clerical job and keep it for a year or say even longer for steady income because I don't know how long it will take to find an opening in teaching, will this hurt my chances of getting into teaching? In other words if I choose to work outside the field and not stay substituting will this hurt me in a teaching interview? I realize it could because the district may not know me if I am not substituting but will they look down upon my decision to work in something else temporarily? Also is this true for taking a couple years off for having children? I am not certain what I should do. I will have a steady wage if I do a clerical job but I wonder if it will hurt my chances of getting a better job down the line.

Deb I appreciate what you answered, however in PA there is a surplus of teachers. That is why I am so concerned with not being able to get in later on.

Maybe I didn't write this right, I meant that if I took the clerical job in place of subbing, I can't do both!

Answer 1

You have to pay rent and you have to eat - there is nothing wrong with doing what you need to do while job hunting (just ask any aspiring actor). Here's some ideas for you though :

While doing clerical work, why don't you tutor too. You can even start your own tutoring company (even if it's just you). Then you are receiving a little extra money and you can list your tutoring experience on your resume (as opposed to the clerical stuff, if you are concerned about listing that). Having an advanced degree can help you market yourself. Also by advertising at schools and speaking to teachers (so that they can recommend you for tutoring), you'll be networking within the school system and you might be on the inside track for when an opening does arise.

One other option is to find a position with children with disabilities. There may be more openings (even if it's a teaching assistant) and it shows you can work with some higher risk kids or neurologically impaired children (if you are interested in this area - it's challenging work, so if it doesn't interest you, that's OK.).

Just a few options. Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes and no. They probably won't look down on you for taking a job as a receptionist. Everyone needs to pay their bills and, since you're still substitute teaching, it shows you have a sustained interest in teaching as your main career path.

The receptionist thing might be a problem if it prevents you from getting jobs subbing. You're only getting called a couple of times per week now, but you don't want to be seen as the sub that's "never available."

Also, if someone has to go on a maternity leave or take another type of long-term absence, you want to be the person who is able to take on the long-term position. If they know your availability is limited, they might choose someone else over you because of it.

Best bet (if possible): Try to work the receptionist job on days when school is not in session. Do they need people to work the reception desk on weekends or holidays? How about during the summer or after regular school hours? I know all employers aren't that flexible, but it would work out to your benefit if you could be available as much as possible for subbing.

As for taking time off to have kids, I don't think that will hurt you too much. Just be honest about it in your cover letter and at interviews. Make it seem like an advantage. Go in with a "I can handle anything because I have kids myself" kind of attitude. BUT, at the same time, let them think you're taking-time-off-for-kids-days are over. They won't be too anxious to hire you if they think you're going to take off again in the near future.

Good luck with your search for a teaching job. I'm in upstate New York and the job market is tough here too. You've got the right idea by subbing first.

Here's an ebook you may find helpful. It has lots of information about searching for teaching jobs and teacher interviews and stuff. Guide to Getting the Teaching Job of Your Dreams : http://www.iwantateachingjob.com

Take care... and be patient... you'll find the right job!

Answer 3

Go for it! You need money to pay your bills and put food on the table. But, I also suggest you do some volunteer work with kids while you're working as a receptionist to help balance it out. When you start looking for a teaching position again, don't worry about your position as a receptionists hurting your chances. This is what the cover letter and interview are for--to explain your situation. I think it will impress employers if you still work with children although you've pursued another career. Sample interview question: "Describe a time when you were faced with a challenging situation and how you handled it." This would be the perfect time to explain your situation and also impress the employers by telling them you still continued working with children.--don't forget to hint at this in your cover letter too! Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Answer 4

With some potential employers, it would honestly be looked down upon for you to take a job outside of the education field. However, wise leaders see the value of bringing outside business knowledge into the schools. I am a school teacher looking to get into administration very soon. When I get to where I can hire people, I want a balance of those who only have experience working in education as well as those who have worked outside of education. This way I will have staff with "Real World" experiences. Plus those in the hiring positions realize the necessity of having to bring in a steady income, so it would be very understandable for you to need to take a steady job elsewhere until your ideal job comes along.

If PA is anything like TX, many schools welcome just about anyone they can get to teach. In many school districts, we have a shortage of teachers to the point where they have to overload the classrooms. I have heard principals and superintendents comment upon the hiring of teachers, "We are just looking for warm bodies waiting to take up spaces." In many cases, that is unfortunately about the best they can hope for in a teacher.

Besides teaching students academics, we also help instill in them social values of getting along with others. This means accepting the differences instead of judging them. Well, we need to put this into practice and accept the differences in potential hires instead of judging them. If you must work outside of education due to financial necessity or if you choose to take off for a while to have/raise children, surely those you interview with in the future will also have that sense of understanding instead of judgment. If they do not have that depth of understanding, then they would be difficult to work for anyway.

Answer 5

The type of job you're working has nothing to do with teaching. With an office job you can't take off whenever you want so if they call you for substituting you'll probably have to turn them down because you'll be working at the receptionist job.

Answer 6

I don't see where it would hurt your chances of teaching. You've got to pay your bills, and it says something for you that you're out there working, not in your chosen field, but working, to support yourself. I think it shows you're hardworking. Consider being a sub when you take vacations from your regular job too.