Music Ed Mentor Podcast #013: Tips For Job Transitions

Music Ed Mentor Podcast #013: Tips For Job Transitions

Whether you’re just getting started in music education or are thinking about a new position, you likely have questions about getting a job. Depending on your situation, you may not even know how to get started on your job search.

In this episode, I speak with five educators with experience in the field. They have experience in changing jobs, staying in a current position, and even in retirement. Together they offer tips on every piece of the hiring process, from building a resume to finding job postings. We also talk about how to know if teaching is right for you.

These educators share personal experiences – mistakes and all – that will help you advance your career in music education.

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In This Episode, You’ll Learn How To:

  • Find a new job
  • Build a resume that gets noticed
  • Figure out if it’s time for a new job
  • Affirm that teaching is your passion

Free Job Transitions Checklist

Before you get started on your job search, download this free checklist. It offers step-by-step action items to get you through the whole process.

Download the free checklist

Three Key Takeaways

“Planning and classroom management skills are vital for getting a new job.”

These are the “evergreen” skills that apply to any classroom, anywhere. Administrators and other hiring committees will be looking for these skills, and demonstrating that you have them will make getting a new job that much easier.

“Put everything that improves your teaching on your resume.”

These five educators agreed: anything you can do to improve your teaching belongs on your resume. Spending time in classrooms, with students – even outside your student teaching – makes a difference. So mention classes that may not have been required for your degree, but make you a better teacher. Don’t be afraid to modify your resume to include things that may be specific to the job you’re applying for.

“Understand the expectations of your new job.”

This is your first task when you start a new job. This may mean developing a relationship with custodial staff, the secretary, or administrators. It can even mean working with the former music educator. You’ll know everything that is expected, from event planning to student assessment.

Resources

Elisa Janson Jones specializes in helping music educators build, grow, and manage thriving school music programs. With an MBA alongside her degree in music, she is also a coach and consultant to small businesses and nonprofits around the country, and serves as the conductor of her local community band. She has been teaching music for nearly 20 years and currently holds the prestigious position of elementary music teacher at a private K-8 Catholic School in Grand Junction, Colorado. Elisa was a top presenter at the NAfME National Conference in 2017 and will be presenting at state conferences in 2018. She is the founder of the International Music Education Summit and the author of The Music Educator’s Guide to Thrive.

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