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My Job Hunt Journey Part Two: The Mini-Portfolio

Hi friends!  It's been awhile since I talked about my Job Hunt Journey, so I thought I'd take a moment to let you know how it's been going... (or how it's mostly not been going)!

The public school system is VERY difficult to get into right now out here.  Part of the problem is the public school process- in most districts in my state, every applicant is screened at the district level by a system that looks for specifics (e.g. keywords, experience), and the Hiring Managers select which candidates to send on to the school level.  So it's very hard to stand out as a new teacher.

However, private and charter schools have taken a lot more interest.  I finally have an interview next Tuesday- wish me luck!  The school was very impressed with my mini-portfolio, so I thought I'd share more about it.


I deliver this mini-portfolio in person when possible, but if not I email a PDF version to the principal along with a brief cover e-mail.  Here's what's in the mini-portfolio:


Personalized Cover Letter

Table of Contents

Here are some examples of the pages that are designed to give potential employers a look at my teaching style and classroom in action:





I hope this gives you some ideas!  AND I've uploaded an editable powerpoint of this portfolio for you to use if you like the format above.  Check it out by clicking here.

Be back soon to talk about the interview and the big professional portfolio I'm putting together to bring with me!  :)

Looking for more job tips?  Check out My Job Hunt Journey Part One for more information on cover letters, resumes, and more!

Comments

  1. I love your mini-portfolio. I am in the same boat as you right now. I have a job but I am needed to relocate and it is super hard to state out among thousands of applicants! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! It is so difficult to stand out, especially if you don't know anyone in the system. Good luck to you too! :)

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  2. Jessica, you continue to amaze me. You are so creative and inventive with everything you do. I too am looking for a job and would like to follow your format with your mini portfolio if that is okay? It is so hard to get into the public school system here in MD also. I feel your pain. I just completed an interview in an independent school and they did call my references...so here's hoping. I wish you all the best. You deserve to find a good school and whoever hires you as a teacher is going to be a lucky school.

    Forever your friend,
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sharon! You always cheer me up. :) I just uploaded the template if you'd like to use the same format, all you have to do is add text boxes and pictures. Good luck girly!

      Delete
  3. I am interested in using the design aspect of this mini portfolio. I really like this idea since it is more difficult to take an entire portfolio to an interview. I will be graduating in a couple of days 12/21/13 and I am looking for attractive ways to present myself to principals.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your page is awesome! Thanks for all of the ideas and tips!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you so much for doing this because I have been founding out that putting together a personal teaching portfolio is not easy. Thanks again

    ReplyDelete

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