Don’t let potential job search liabilities hamper your enthusiasm to land a new education position. Some job searching educators feel their employment application will not be rejected for job postings because of prior work experience or personal reasons.
Most job seekers believe these employment liabilities will significantly diminish their chances of securing an education position. It isn’t always the case.
How to Overcome Job Search Liabilities
The truth is that imperfections in work history or age discrimination issues are fast becoming a primary concern for many job seekers. They believe they have more than one obstacle to overcome. Identifying potential job search liabilities as a teaching candidate is necessary to improve your job search results.
Among the most commonly encountered concerns is the applicant’s age. Still, at the same time, some teaching candidates have to overcome employment history gaps, consolidate a diverse career history, or have a different educational background from the new teaching career they want to pursue.
Age Concerns or Age Discrimination
If you identify your age as a job search liability, you need to ask yourself, are you only using your age as a reason to procrastinate on beginning your job search?
Job seekers who don’t have enough confidence or are confused with regards to how they should start their job search will often look at their age as part of the reason why they are unable to obtain a teaching job in the first place.
If this is your case, you need to address this issue honestly. Honestly will help you overcome it and start your job search right away. Not all schools are looking at applicants’ age as a barrier to hiring for teaching positions. As long as you have the right skills, you do not have to worry about being accepted due to your age because all that matters is your ability to perform as a talented educator.
How to Alleviate Concerns
I have had past clients who were worried about age discrimination, but you can alleviate any concerns by showing your eagerness to work for several years if you can get to the interview. Additionally, I would recommend highlighting your recent training, expertise in technology, and professional development to demonstrate you are continuing to learn and adapt your teaching methods. Some school representatives may think that older teachers don’t adjust to change – for the most part, this isn’t true.
Highlight your maturity and wealth of experience, and classroom success stories as an asset. Tailor your cover letter and resume to meet the school district’s needs by showing your expertise in the areas they are looking for in a new teacher.
As far as gaining interviews, your resume hides your age by only showing your recent professional experience. If you like, you can take the graduation date for your degree off the resume.
Limited Teaching or Children Related Job Experience
If schools only hired people with enough job experience, the possibility of career advancement would be nil. Bear in mind many teaching candidates lack a job requirement or two, and you are not exempted. Do not be afraid to look for available teaching jobs where you do not have all the schools’ qualifications.
Schools don’t always expect candidates to have everything they’ve listed in the job posting. In the job posting, they have listed the attributes they would like to find in their new teacher. The candidate selected effectively communicates their passion and possesses qualifications to match the job posting and shares their success stories during the interview process.
Showcasing Relevant Experience
More often than not, it is enough to showcase your specific teaching experiences while emphasizing your extraordinary eagerness and enthusiasm to meet new challenges at work. Bear in mind. The decision to hire a teacher is usually based on your attitude towards teaching in addition to your overall job experience.
Many schools are willing to hire a teacher with limited experience and work history if they show enthusiasm for teaching and dedication to growing as an educator.
Be proactive and address any concerns you have by taking the necessary steps to prepare ahead of time to create a positive job search experience.
