Objective
Communicate ideas effectively in your search for employment by means of a cover letter and resume, including explaining what was learned from an “interview for information”: what the interviewee thought of your resume and cover letter, and preparedness for employment, graduate school, etc.
Description |
Exhibit 1 consists of an updated cover
letter and resume as it relates to the teaching profession. My previous resume
contained my legal background and only partially mentioned my education-related
background. After much consideration and revision, this cover letter and resume
reflect my detailed qualifications, skills and achievements that are
specifically connected to the education field.
I interviewed my friend and former colleague Bridget Wallman, a Discovery Middle School teacher in Canton. She taught elementary school students for 12 years and middle school students for four. Given her experience, she was helpful in reviewing my cover letter and resume and was an invaluable source of information. |
Exhibit 1: Cover Letter & Resume
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Reflective Analysis |
My cover letter and resume effectively connect my education, experience, certification, professional development, activities, and skills to a prospective teaching position. Preparing these was worthwhile because it forced me to reflect on my background. For example, I realized that I possess an advantage over other applicants because of my unique experiences as an English Learner Paraprofessional. My reflection will also help me during an interview because I will be prepared to answer questions with examples.
During my conversational interview, Bridget relayed advice based on her classroom experience. Mostly, behavior management is key and teachers are “on” at all times. They must set a positive tone in the class and build good rapport with students and even parents. Despite the long demanding hours, the most rewarding part of the job is the connection to the children. Of course, a teacher needs qualifications, but interviewers want an enthusiastic and likeable person who fits right in with the staff. The teacher must also be knowledgeable and is expected to provide and/or demonstrate a lesson plan at the interview. Bridget’s last piece of advice was to keep up my connections. She thought that my work experience, drive and passion for children make me well-suited for this field. When Bridget reviewed my cover letter, she especially liked my emphasis on working in the PCCS district and said to reiterate it whenever possible. She made some formatting changes to my resume and suggested I use more specific terms, such as the type of behavior management system I implemented. She proposed that I include my writing background as a freelance writer because it demonstrates my writing ability. Similarly, she said not to discount my life experience as a mother. Overall, this experience helped me reflect on my education-related background and gain an understanding of what interviewers look for in teaching applicants. Not only must the applicant look good on paper, but they must be enthusiastic and have a positive personality. Lastly, I learned that I must maintain and make new contacts in the next year in order to help me when I apply for a teaching position. |