Ah, spring. Green leaves, fresh flowers, robins popping out........JOB SEARCH! In the midst of probably either sweating out student teaching or squeaking in those last classes you need for graduation, you have to be worrying about what you'll do next fall.

Too late to tell you this should have started months ago, but you have probably received very good advice in that regard. This article is geared towards helping you know where the jobs are, how to leave a good impression, and most importantly, how to handle the whole situation emotionally.

First of all, sit down and have a good, honest assessment of what your future plans are, not just next year, but 5-10 years down the road. What would you do if you couldn't get the band job you want? Are you more interested in teaching the subject or grade level you want, or is location more important? How much off-hour time are you willing to spend on your job? What would be your second or third choice if you couldn't get your dream job? (Let's face it..that dream job doesn't always happen the first time around!). Can you afford to wait until July, August, or even September and take a chance on getting just what you want, or do you need to secure the first offer that comes around? If you have your sites set on a particular district, would you be willing to work in that district in another capacity (such as a substitute or paraprofessional) until a position opened up?

These questions are necessary because in order to move on, if indeed, your extended plans are to build your career gradually, you need to build a good reference base right off the bat. You should plan to spend at least 2 years at your first job. You don't want to appear as a job hopper. And, your dreams aren't always going to fall right in your lap. Prepare yourself for alternatives, alternatives you can live with.

To start seeking out the districts in which to work, of course, go the usual route of putting your name in at the placement office, going to Monster.com and other job-placement sites, but don't hesitate to do the direct approach. Many districts will take your application information, even without having openings. Pinpoint about 10 districts where you would like to work, and get a nice application portfolio with your resume, written references (these can be obtained from the placement office, but why not throw in some from the community work you do? See Building a Reference Base.), and the required paperwork from the district. Don't mail things to the district. Call ahead for the application paperwork and tell them you're going to stop in and pick it up. Then,deliver the finished product in person. While you are there, don't be shy about asking about job opportunities. Don't be a pest, though! Just ask whether they anticipate any openings, mention your qualifications briefly and your interests, then leave. Don't forget to follow up with a thank-you note! Let them remember your name, but not as the dumb kid who just wouldn't go away. Leave the impression of the mannerly, courteous college student. (You may not get any farther than the secretary, but those support staff people often have more pull and influence than you think!)

If at all possible, try to find some contacts within the district. (This is where subbing while in school becomes extremely valuable!). Teachers and other workers within a district often find out about openings sooner than the adminstrators. At the very least, by the time many positions are posted by the normal routes, they're already filled. Again, don't be a pest! Just ask people to let you know if they hear of an opening. Then, don't jump right in at the administration office and tell them you've heard of an opening. If the human resources person hasn't heard about it, they might get a little touchy. If they have, they might tell you it's not posted yet. Just make sure the paperwork is in. If they are aware of the opening, it's OK to ask if they know when interviews might start. If you're going to be considered, they'll tell you when. Don't assume silence is rejection. Sometimes, music teachers are way down on the list of positions to fill. You might not be contacted for a month or two. Use that time to find other positions!

When doing the door-to-door delivery, look your best. Again, it's the old first impressions. Not only that, but you might actually be asked to deliver a videotape interview! This is becoming very common. Don't plan on going in, delivering your papers, and running. You should have started your interview practice sessions with your advisor or another trusted individual long before now. This practice might pay off sooner than you think!

Sorry if I insult some of you, but don't expect things to be handed to you on a silver platter. When you go in for the interview, don't go in with the attitude that the job is due you.You don't need to be the stereotype of the clueless job seeker in blue jeans, stringy hair, or the attitude. You do need to go in confident of your abilities. What a juggling act! Do your homework. Roll play, roll play, roll play. Brush up on the education terminology. Know what you'll do in certain discipline situations. Know how you're react in the touchiest parental confrontations. Think of your responses to the worst-case scenarios. You don't know who on the interview panel will want to see how you react on your feet. Relay as much of your experience from student or substitute teaching as much as possible. If you made mistakes in those situations, let them know, and let them know what you learned from it. (Don't volunteer this information! Use it if it is part of a topic brought up in the interview). Remember the clues about performance and eye contact, to look over the heads of the audience? You're in close quarters now. Give real eye contact. Shake hands. Send a thank-you note. Stuff you've probably learned, but it's amazing how many people don't do this. Remember, you want them to recall you in the most positive light possible.

So, you haven't heard anything for a day. Don't call! Give it about two weeks, then do a follow-up checking call. Again, depending on the district, the decision-maker might want to complete interviews for all positions. There may be more interviews. The interviewer might be sick. You don't know. Don't appear too anxious. You don't want to burn any bridges behind you. Although you might not be offered the position this time, you don't know what might be down the road. You want that good impression to last til the next time.

What to do if you have the glorious choice of getting a contract offer, while waiting to hear from your dream school? Could be, you could tell your first choice that a contract has been offered, but that they are your preference. You might be bumped up in the interviewing order. Prepare yourself for the fact that they might not care one way or another. The administrators there may have their own timetable, no matter what. Then, it's choice time on your side. Take a chance and turn down the other contract, or take what's offered?

Finally, remember to take the search seriously, but don't despair if the job doesn't materialize this fall. Positions open up in the spring, and in the future. Not getting a job right away doesn't mean you never will teach. Maybe one of your alternatives is going back and getting your Master's. Work at another job for a year. Better yet, find a way to work with a school district for a year. And, keep that paperwork updated!

We would like to hear of your own personal experiences either in student teaching or in job hunting! If you have words of wisdom, humorous moments, or questions, please contact us!