How to get an interview?

Question

I graduated in May of 2007. I am certified to teach Early Childhood Education, Elementary, and English. I had a 3.9 GPA, was editor of my college newspaper, write for the alumni magazine, played the lead in our college musical, am a member of DES Honor Society, and participated in a small singing group. I've sent out about 50 applications for open positions within 2 hours of my house, but have either not heard from the districts, or have gotten letters saying they've done their hiring, but will keep my packet on file for a year. I don't know if I'm not doing enough to be noticed, or if it's just that there aren't a lot of positions open in Pennsylvania. Do you have any ideas of what I can do to my cover letter or resume to stand out enough to at least get an interview? I started applying in March, and now that it's July I'm preparing for another year of subbing. I really appreciate any help you can give me.

Answer 1

Sounds like you've covered your immediate geographical area very well... you've only applied to open positions, however.  Try letters of inquiry to those that have not advertised positions.... better yet, I believe it's time to start cold calling these districts/schools/daycares/etc. and inquiring.  Follow-up in a month... a position may have opened up by then.  I would also broaden my reach... try three to six hours from your area to start.

Answer 2

I want to wish you luck with your job search.  I'm also searching and found some areas (including Pennsylvania at least according to some friends in western Pennsylvania) are SATURATED with teachers, especially elementary teachers.  I realize you can teach English as well, so that helps you a little more.  I went to job fairs that had districts from around the country, and if I want to teach, I will most likely have to move to an area that has a hard time finding teachers.  

Many public schools around my state have been laying off teachers.  I am also applying at private schools, as though I won't make as much as I would in a public school, I figure it's experience.

Going to a job fair was helpful for me, as was searching my state's Department of Education website.  Of course, your GPA should be helpful too.

Answer 3

All answers above are good.  I would add:  ask the University for help, they have lots of contacts, and put yourself on the sub list for a school where you want to teach.  This will put you in immediate contact with the principal and you can impress him/her that way.  I've read statistics that say a very high percentage of hires for schools are someone that somebody knows personally.

Answer 4

Find out when the districts/universities in the area have their recruitment fairs. It helps a lot when they get to see you face to face. That's how we do all of our hiring.

If nothing like that is going on, send your resume directly to the principal of the school that you're interested in (as well as HR, of course). Then follow that up with a phone call to the principal expressing your interest in the position.

Don't give up. A lot of schools fill positions at the last minute before school starts.

Good luck!