[LM_NET] What to do when job searching seems next to impossible.--a couple of other thoughts

[Cheryl Youse <cyouse@GMAIL.COM>]

JaKay has some excellent advice.  A veteran of job hunting--I have been a
school media specialist/librarian in 4 states and taught in 3 additional
states, due to my husband's job transfers.  I'd like to add a couple of
points that I know have helped me.

-During an interview, NEVER make disparaging comments about former
administrators, no matter how abysmal they were.

-If the principal gives you any ideas (ask) about a school wide theme for
the year, and of course this is mainly elementary, go home and put together
a plan for that specific theme.  When you send your thank you notes for the
interview, add your ideas in connection with their theme.

I had two offers this time.  One principal started out the interview with "I
have my 30 in and can retire now" and the other started by asking "What do
you expect from ME in order to do your job well?"  I am going with that
principal and making a big leap to high school.  I started out as a high
school teacher but have only been a media specialist through grade 8 and
always a solo librarian.  There are 2 full time media specialists here so
this will be a change for me.  I am looking forward to working with this
principal!

I did have to step out of the library for one year and teach gifted
education.  Although less than thrilled about it, it was very good for me to
be back on the classroom side after a long time out.  It was a good reminder
about the many other responsibilities teachers have for students and how
time consuming grading papers and dealing with parents is.  I also did enjoy
developing solid relationships with my students that year.  Something I miss
in the library where I don't see the same students daily.  I did spend as
much time as possible collaborating with the librarian who retired at the
end of that year and put in a good word for me.  I was her successor in the
media center then.

-- 
Cheryl Youse, MLS
Media Specialist
Colquitt County High School
cyouse@gmail.com

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