Before sharing tips and resources for writing a successful resume, remember according to the experts, if you’re relying solely on this job-finding method, there are other, more statistically successful ways, to get a job. These experts all agree that continually networking is the most effective method of job searching. According to The Wall Street Journal, Executive Career Site’s online article devoted to this subject, 40% of new hires come from employee referrals. http://www.careeerjournal.com/jobhunting/networking/20040511-gunn.html

The author of the 2007 edition of the best selling job-hunting book, What Color is Your Parachute? (9 million sold) summarizes the five best and worst ways to hunt for a job. By the way, randomly sending out resumes has a 7% success rate but two of the five best ways listed have more than an 80% success rate! http://www.jobsletter.org.nz/jbl14010.htm

Many college websites offer practical online help—everything from career fair tips to writing assistance with cover letters, resumes, and the follow-up notes. Visit your alma mater’s website or check out the link from California State University Northridge.
http://www.csun.edu/career/job_search_skills/coverletter_guide.htm

Cover Letters
Current research suggests that many employers prefer cover letters over resumes. Assuming you have the basic qualifications for the job, the cover letter—not the resume—is what really gets you the interview. One expert’s golden rules (things they don’t teach you, even in business school) for writing a cover letter:

1. Always address to a real person.
2. The first part of the cover letter should be warm and confident and should always mention the job you’re seeking.
3. Personalize every cover letter targeting that specific school or company.
4. Every cover letter should have passion and excitement—to motivate and instill a sense of urgency in the employer’s mind.
5. Ask for the interview.

Source for the above and resource for professional cover letter writing services:
http://susanireland.com/coverletterwork.htm

Resumes
Before the interview, a resume’s primary purpose is to organize your thoughts for the interview. After the interview, it should serve as a reminder to the employer of your qualifications. Article One in this series outlines the different perspectives of the job seeker and employer—it’s clear this disconnect involves the resume, too. For employers, the purpose of the resume is to eliminate candidates to save time. For job seekers, many think it is their ticket to a new job and should speak for itself. It’s o.k. to send your resume by email but most experts recommend following up with a printed resume via regular mail. Print on quality paper since it’s a tactile experience before a visual one. Note: First impressions are important—many people only take eight seconds to scan a resume!

Portfolios
A portfolio should provide evidence of what you can do and in some cases, proof of performance or examples of your work. This should reflect the type of teaching position that you are seeking and could include a short autobiography sharing your personal and educational interests. New graduates should include positive evidence and examples from student teaching experiences. For further resources, check out these books.

D’Orsi, Gary and Frank Satterthwaite. (2002). The Career Portfolio Workbook: Using the Newest Tool in Your Job-Hunting Arsenal to Impress Employers and Land a Great Job! Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill.

Kilbane, Clare and Natalie Milman. (2004). The Digital Teaching Portfolio Workbook: Understanding the Digital Teaching Portfolio Process. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Check back at www.newteachernews.com for Article 3, The Importance of Choosing the Right Boss, or Principal