We encourage you to print this schedule and post it in a prominent place for regular referral. We want you to catch all the special preparation events and essential deadlines for Education Fair and Interview Day!

January

Spring Semester begins Monday, January 7, 2013.

Pick up your copy of the American Association for Employment Education Job Search Handbook for Educators. Supplies are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis in Career Services, 334 Student Union.

Prior to Thursday, January 10, 2013:
Activate or update your profile in The Wright Search

To sign up for Pre-Scheduled Interviews, candidates must be enrolled in The Wright Search including a complete Profile and an uploaded résumé by January 10, 2013.

When establishing your new account, allow 24 business hours for Career Services processing of your submission before reentering to use The Wright Search tools.

To remain active in The Wright Search and have your résumé viewable by employers, you must upload your resume every 30 days and, in Profile, set 'Allow Employer Viewing?' to 'Yes.'

Create and manage your account or log in to The Wright Search Right Now! ›

January 14 through 24, 2013:
Sign up for Mock Interview via The Wright Search

You may sign up for one mock interview with local school district hiring officials. Mock interviews will occur in Career Services Tuesday through Thursday, January 29 through 31, 3:30 to 7 p.m..

Wednesday, January 23, 2013:
Meet the Experts Panel, 156 Student Union, 4 to 6 p.m.

Local school district hiring managers will share their views on resumes, appropriate interview attire, interview questions you can expect, and effective follow-up procedures. Candidates will be able to ask questions. Please feel free to come late or leave early due to work or class schedule.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, January 9through January 31, 2013:
Mock Interviews, 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Advance signup required during January 14 through 24.

Interviews conducted by school district hiring officials, in Career Services facilities.

During mock interviews, practice interview presentation skills. Discover information you will be expected to communicate. Learn how to promote yourself as a teacher. Receive feedback on your non-verbals. Gain insight and get tips about the teacher selection process.

NO CANCELATIONS after the mock interview schedule closes on The Wright Search on January 24, 2013.

If you have difficulty using The Wright Search to sign up for interviews, revisit The Wright Search Orientation

February

Wednesday February 13 through Wednesday February 20, 2013:
Review Licensures Requested by Participating School Districts

Beginning Wednesday, January 16, licensures requested by participating school districts will be available for review under The Wright Search Schedules tab in your account, in Future Schedules.

Wednesday, February 13 through Wednesday, February 20, 2013:
Sign up for Education Fair and Interview Day interviews via The Wright Search.

Schedule interviews via The Wright Search for candidates meeting school district criteria.

School districts reserve some of their time slots to fill with candidates they meet at Open Fair.

Interview schedules open in The Wright Search on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 5 a.m., Eastern Time Zone.

During this week, in your personal record in The Wright Search, you will see ONLY 'Qualified Schedules,' which include only those school districts that have openings for your licensure. It is advisable to work on a computer with high speed internet access.

1. Login to The Wright Search
2. Select “Schedules” on the toolbar
3. Select “Qualified Schedules” from the drop down menu
4. From the list that appears, select a school district. Only districts requesting your licensure will appear.
5. Select the “Sign Up” button
6. Select the Session ID
7. Select your interview time; select “Sign Up” at the right side of the page (be sure that your screen is maximized)
8. If this schedule is full, you will receive a message that says “There are no timeslots available.”

NO CANCELATIONS once the interview schedule closes on The Wright Search, on February 20.

Difficulty using The Wright Search to sign up for interviews? Contact Charlene Walker, charlene.walker@wright.edu

March

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Participate in Education Fair and Interview Day

Parking

Wright State Student Candidates: Park in Lot 4, Student permit parking. The gated, visitor lot is reserved for school district representatives.

Open Fair

Open Fair is an opportunity to talk to school district representatives in a conventional job fair format. Some school districts reserve interview slots for Open Fair, when they may sign-up additional, walk-up candidates. At Open Fair, school districts will invite qualified, enthusiastic candidates to fill these reserved slots. Plan your Open Fair strategy carefully to maximize these opportunities.

Pre-Scheduled Interviews

Pre-Scheduled Interviews were arranged in advance, via The Wright Search, during the week of Wednesday, February 13 through Wednesday, February 20.

Visit The Wright Search information for students and alumni webpage »

Meet the Experts Panel Presentation
Prior to
Education Fair and Interview Day
January 23, 2013
4 to 6 p.m.
156 Student Union

A panel of local school district hiring managers will share their views on

• résumés
• appropriate interview attire
• interview questions you can expect
• effective follow-up procedures

Wright State candidates will be able to ask questions about the hiring process.

If you have a class during this time frame, please feel free to come late or leave early. Any amount of time you are able to spend with the experts will be of benefit to you.

We suggest you print these instructions and refer to them as you are scheduling Mock Interviews and Pre-Scheduled Interviews for Education Fair and Interview Day.

Download and print instructions (PDF)

This page provides instruction for Mock Interview and Pre-Scheduled Interview sign up for those Wright State University licensure candidates and Wright State University alumni in the College of Education and Human Services, who will be licensed to teach in the 2013-2014 school year and who have preregistered in The Wright Search to participate in Education Fair and Interview Day on March 12.

These instructions apply to online interview sign up.

Mock Interview Sign Up January 14 through January 24.

Education Fair and Interview Day Pre-Scheduled Interview Sign Up February 13 through February 20.

Instructions for Mock Interview Sign Up January 14 through January 24.

1. Log in to your account in The Wright Search with your UID and PIN.
2. Select 'Schedules' on the toolbar.
3. Select 'Qualified Schedules' from the drop down menu.
4. From the list that appears, for Dayton campus interviews select Schedule ID 2834.
5. Select 'Sign Up' link to review specific interview times (be sure your screen is maximized).
6. To sign up for a specific interview time, select the 'Sign-up' link corresponding to your desired interview time (this link is in the same row as the preferred time).
7. If this schedule is full, you will receive a message that says 'There are no timeslots available.'
8. Once the window opens for your desired interview time, select the appropriate resume from the available pull-down list and then select "Sign Up."
9. A pop-up window will appear, with the message that you have successfully signed up for your selected interview.
10. Make note of the time and day. This information will also be available under the My Account Tab, in the My Activity option, in the Schedules tab.
11. NO CANCELATIONS once the Mock Interview Schedule closes on January 24, 2013.

Only one mock interview per candidate will be allowed on the Dayton Schedule.

Dress professionally and bring a polished resume to your Mock Interview.

Review guidelines for appropriate interview dress ›

Interviews will be conducted in 334 Student Union on the Dayton campus.

Instructions for Pre-Scheduled Interview Sign Up February 13 through February 20.

To schedule interviews during this time, you must have both an active Profile that allows employer viewing and have a current, professional résumé uploaded to The Wright Search. Check the status of your Profile and résumé in The Wright Search prior to the start of interview sign up. If you have questions about your status prior to interview sign up, contact Charlene Walker, 937.775.2556 or email charlene.walker@wright.edu (separate window)

Review guidelines for developing a professional résumé ›

Be sure that you have chosen a license area as your 'major.' in The Wright Search. Example: A Spanish teacher should choose 'LIC – MultiAge Spanish' under the College of Education & Human Services not 'Spanish' under the College of Liberal Arts. A music teacher should choose "LIC - MultiAge Music" under the College o Education and Human Services, not "Music" under the College of Liberal Arts.

Interview schedules open in The Wright Search on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 5:00 a.m., Eastern Time Zone

Schedule interviews via The Wright Search. It is advisable to work on a computer with high speed internet access.

1. Login to The Wright Search with your UID and PIN.
2. Select 'Schedules' on the toolbar.
3. Select 'Qualified Schedules' from the drop down menu.
4. From the list that appears, select a school district.
   Only districts requesting your licensure will appear.
5. Select 'Sign Up' link to review specific interview times (be sure your screen is maximized).
6. To sign up for a specific interview time, select the 'Sign-up' link corresponding to your desired interview time (this link is in the same row as the preferred time).
7. If this schedule is full, you will receive a message that says 'There are no timeslots available.'
8. Once the window opens for your desired interview time, select the appropriate resume from the available pull-down list and then select "Sign Up."
9. A pop-up window will appear, with the message that you have successfully signed up for your selected interview.
10. Make note of the time and day.
    This information will also be available under the My Account Tab, in the My Activity option, in the Schedules tab.
    Print your final schedule from the My Activity option Schedules tab and bring that schedule with you to Education Fair and Interview Day.
    Review your final schedule prior to the cancelation date and confirm that you have no conflicting interview times!
11. NO CANCELATIONS once the Pre-Scheduled Interview Schedule closes on February 20, 2013.

Remember: print out your actual, assigned interview times from The Wright Search. Bring your confirmed schedule of pre-arranged interviews with you to Education Fair and Interview Day.

High demand school district schedules will fill quickly. Most often, they reserve some interview times to fill at the Open Fair. In years past, there have been 300 to 400 interviews still available at Open Fair.

Remember, the schedules will be open until February 20. If you did not get an interview on the first attempt for a district you have interest in, check often during the week to see if an interview time has become available.

After the interview schedules close on February 20, school districts officials expect you to attend all scheduled interviews. NO CANCELATIONS once the interview schedule closes on The Wright Search, on February 20.

To view your complete schedule for March 12 in The Wright Search:

1. select the My Account tab.
2. Select My Activity.
3. Then select the Schedules tab. This will present the complete list of your interviews.
4. Print your interview schedule and bring it to the Education Fair.

Login to The Wright Search ›

A good impression is not made by chance. Use the tips on this page to deliberately plan and prepare for success.

Make a Plan Now with your Buddies for Checking in on the Day of the Event

• Partner now with someone or several people who are also attending Education Fair and Interview Day, particularly if you will not be attending the entire event.
• Develop a messaging system for sharing updates you hear in the waiting room E163 Student Union, that may affect one or more of your group members.
• Sometimes representatives from school districts need to reach candidates on the day of the event, with information about a variety of scheduling issues. Career Services posts and announces these messages in room E163 Student Union on the day of the event, as we receive updates.

Practice Your General Presentation Skills

• Professional dress is expected at Education Fair and Interview Day.
  Review tips for appropriate professional dress ›
• Excess jewelry must be removed for the interviewing situation, including multiple ear piercings and other body piercings.
• Hair should be well-groomed and conservatively styled.
• Practice a firm handshake, but not so firm that it crushes.
• Practice your smile. A comfortable smile conveys confidence and approachability.
• Mentally prepare a 20 second introduction for yourself: who you are, your license, and your interest in the district and a particular teaching position.
• Prepare to maintain your own eye contact during discussions with recruiters and interviews.
• Practice introducing yourself and presenting your résumé (districts will have a copy of your Wright Search résumé during the prearranged interviews; you can offer a copy if you have since updated it).

Tips for Open Fair

• During the Open Fair some districts fill remaining slots for interviews. Prior to the event, research school districts attending Open Fair, and that are recruiting your license.
• Review the list of schools with open interviews listed in The Wright Search.
• Prioritize them according to your interest, with your first choice first, as remaining interview slots may fill quickly.
• Dress professionally and bring plenty of résumés.
• Prepare and bring at least 20 copies of your résumé (one for each school district with which you wish to secure a last-minute interview). The Wright Copy will be open the day of the event for you to make additional copies, at your expense.
• Review the information in the updated fair guide distributed at 7:45 a.m., at the candidate registration table, outside E163 Student Union, on the day of the event.
• Check the update board at the candidate registration table for updates or additions. Listen to updates provided by Career Services staff as you wait in the entrance line for admittance.
• Pick up a copy of the event map at the candidate registration table the day of the event. Review the map to determine where districts on your list are located in the room.
• Develop an action plan. Prioritize your interest in the school districts and proceed in that order.
• Plan to visit your first choice district first.
• When approaching booths, make a good first impression.
• Make eye contact and give a firm handshake when introducing yourself.
• Present your résumé and request an opportunity to interview later that day.
• During Open Fair, lines may be long. If you get through the line and interview slots for this day are full, introduce yourself, present your résumé, and express your interest in interviewing at the school district office on a later date.
• If you do not get beyond your first choice line and the Open Fair ends, directly contact your other choice districts later in the week and express an interest in interviewing at their office.
• During Open Fair, further explore your options and speak with school districts you had not considered, but that need your licensure.
• Talk to districts which interest you but do not currently have an opening for your licensure. Ask if you may leave a copy of your résumé with them, for consideration if an appropriate position becomes available.
• District representatives at Open Fair and Pre-Scheduled Interviews will ask you questions about your résumé, your experience, and your interest. Don't be surprised or offended if they break eye contact and begin making notes on the back of your résumé - this is normal!

Tips for Interviews

The key to interviewing success is preparation!

Research school districts that are seeking your licensure prior to interviewing with them! Thoroughly review the school district website and use your network to learn detailed information about the school district and the teaching environment. Recruiters will expect you to have done so.

For tips on behavioral interviewing and some interview questions to answer and ask, refer to the article in the American Association for Employment in Education Job Search Handbook for Educators. Copies of this helpful publication are available in Career Services, 334 Student Union, on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Remember, you are in charge of the information that you share in the interview. What you share is your decision.
• Identify and review your accomplishments. Talking about accomplishments and the skills and abilities you used to achieve them will help you respond to questions in a meaningful way.
• Review some standard questions you can expect to be asked as a candidate for a teaching position. Education Fair and Interview Day Sample Interview Questions (PDF)
• In addition to standard questions about your experience in teacher preparation and other relevant experiences, you can expect to be asked Behavioral Interview questions, which are based on the idea that past behavior predicts future behavior.
• Effectively answer behavioral interviewing questions by following a model referred to as C - A - R: Circumstance - Action - Results. In the C - A - R model, you first describe the Circumstance; then relate the Action you took; and, finally, the Results. Specific, positive examples with relevant details demonstrate how you will transfer past successful, professional behavior to future professional positions.
  Learn more about the C - A - R model (PDF)
• Participate in a Mock Interview at Career Services to polish your interview presentation and to learn how to avoid negative images when responding to questions.
• For additional tips about preparing for the interview and responding in an interview, visit our Job Search Tips section
• If you have legitimate questions about the work environment that have not been answered in your pre-fair research or in the interview, take time to ask them at the end of the interview. However, it is not appropriate to ask questions to which you should have already found out the answer, such as: "Tell me about your district."
• It is also not appropriate to introduce salary and compensation issues in this interview. These items are discussed in a later negotiation.
• Always thank your interviewer and shake hands upon goodbye.
• Collect a business card. You will need the correct spelling of the interviewer's name and their address for your follow-up thank you letter.
• Always send a thank you letter to your interviewer(s) within 48 hours of your interview.

To have your resume reviewed, schedule an appointment with Kathleen O’Brien, Assistant Director, Career Services liaison to the College of Education and Human Services.

To schedule individual advising appointments, call (937) 775-2556. The front desk has access to all adviser schedules.

Forty-one school districts attended the 2012 Education Fair and Interview Day.
Participants included school districts from Ohio, and also from Kentucky, North Carolina, and Alaska.

Review definition and details about Open Fair

41 school districts attended the 2012 Education Fair and Interview Day.

Participants included school districts from Ohio, and also from Kentucky, North Carolina, and Alaska.

In 2012, only 4 districts had full schedules through The Wright Search by the day of the event.

There were more than 335 times available for scheduling during Open Fair.

This part of Education Fair and Interview Day is open to all Wright State University teacher and administrator candidates eligible to teach during the 2013-2014 school year.

Prior to Open Fair, candidates gather in line in a designated area of the Student Union, beginning just inside the lobby. The line is staffed by Career Services, who provide up-to-the minute updates about participating employers as well as tips for success at Open Fair.

During Open Fair, introduce yourself to school districts, pick up employment literature and applications, and gather information about the school district. Some districts may provide an opportunity to schedule an interview for later in the day.

Review definition and details about 163 Student Union, Candidate Waiting Room

On the day of the event, candidates gather in 163 Student Union, to have access to interviews, get updates and special announcements, and hear tips for success.

Candidates may wait all day in 163 Student Union. For those arriving for a Pre-Scheduled Interview, plan to arrive in 163 Student Union ten minutes prior to the scheduled interview time.

The room is available to candidates at all times during the day and many candidates spend the day in the room, waiting between interviews, receiving tips from the Career Services professionals who staff the room, and asking questions prior to or after their interviews.

Room 163 is also your source for updates about participating school districts, new opportunities announced the day of the event by school districts, and any changes to interview schedules which might arise as a result of Open Fair. School district officials may send special requests to The Warm-Up Room, to speak with specific candidates. On Education Fair and Interview Day, 163 The Warm-Up Room is the event communication center.

The hallways outside the Apollo Room and 163 Student Union are common walkways for both candidates and school district representatives. Because of this, it is important for candidates to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. For success at the event, Career Services requests that candidates refrain from visiting with friends, congregating in groups, waiting for interviews, and discussing events of the day in the common space of the hallway. When observed by school district officials, these behaviors have been known to negatively affect a candidate's prospects.

If you do not plan to be available in 163 during the entire event, connect with other candidates who will attend Education Fair and Interview Day. Plan a telephone or texting contact tree, so that if you are sought for a special announcement or need by a school district and you are not available in 163, someone will be able to get in touch with you.

Review definition and details about Pre-Scheduled Interviews

To sign up for Pre-Scheduled Interviews, candidates must be enrolled in The Wright Search including a complete Profile and an uploaded résumé by January 10, 2013.

This part of Education Fair and Interview Day follows the Open Fair and is restricted to only those students who signed up in advance via The Wright Search, or those who signed up during Open Fair, for interviews with specific school districts.

During this time, school districts conduct scheduled interviews in booths, in the Apollo Room of the Student Union. Admission at any given time is limited to candidates who have interviews at that time.

Candidates gather in room 163 Student Union ten minutes prior to their scheduled interview time and are admitted to the interview appointments from 163 by Career Services staff.

Candidates are encouraged to use 163 Student Union as a waiting room. Refrain from gathering in the hallway outside the Apollo Room for reasons previously noted in the description of The Warm-Up Room.

Career Services will assist in the creation of a new résumé or will critique an existing résumé. To schedule an appointment, call (937) 775-2556 and speak to the front desk. Advisers are available for appointments during our regular office hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except university holidays.

In the Career Resource Center, Career Services offers a variety of noncirculating materials which advise on résumé and portfolio creation, as well as job search correspondence.

Here are a few résumé tips for your education job search:

• Research the organization to which you are applying. Organize your résumé to match the expectations and requirements of the job opportunity. Highlight information about you that fits the culture and mission of the company.
• Résumés are most easily used by school districts if they are one page. If your experience and accomplishments are significant enough to fill two pages and they are relevant to the job you are seeking, two pages are acceptable.
• Information should be organized from top to bottom, left to right, with the most relevant information toward the top of the page. As you move down the page, information should still be relevant, but less so.
• Do not include personal information.
• You do not need to use complete sentences or periods on your résumé.
• In describing your teaching responsibilities, start each task or duty description with an action verb that describes the essence of your duty. For example: "Communicated curriculum goals to parents." "Organized field trip to natural history museum."
• Provide details of your successes in teaching and related youth development activities.
• Include class projects of significant duration or impact in a "Projects" section on your résumé.
• Include student teaching, professional development, volunteer activities, professional affiliations, and clubs.
• Do not include high school activities unless they are of national or international prominence, are relevant to your objective and you are a recent high school graduate.
• Include all licensures valued by or necessary in your field, prominently displayed toward the top of your résumé.
• Keep the format graphically consistent and minimal throughout the document.
• Do not list references on your résumé. They are not part of your résumé information. They are listed on their own page and are not presented with the résumé. References are presented only when specifically requested by the employer, usually late in the interview process. Use the same heading for the reference page and cover letter that you use for your résumé. When you use the same heading and layout on all documents, you have created a self-marketing packet with a consistent image.

Review Résumé Tips in our Job Search section ›

This checklist is designed to help you make good use of your time as you conduct your job search. We encourage you to use this checklist in conjunction with the services and resources available from Wright State University Career Services.

August/September (12 months prior to employment)

Review the Career Services web site for information relating to your field.

Begin to define the type and size of school systems in which you have an interest.

October (11 months prior to employment)

Review The Wright Search Orientation online, activate your profile and upload your résumé with The Wright Search ›

Begin developing résumés which can be scanned, used for online applications, e-mailed, and mailed.

Upload your résumé with The Wright Search.

Begin to identify people to serve as your references and to create your personal credential file.

Meet with the Career Services liaison to the College of Education and Human Services to discuss your job-search plan.

Pick up your copy of the American Association for Employment Education Job Search Handbook for Educators. Supplies are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis in Career Services, E334 Student Union.

November/December (8-10 months prior to employment)

Finalize your résumé(s) and have them reviewed at Career Services. Re-upload with The Wright Search. To remain active in The Wright Search and viewable by potential employers, your résumé must be uploaded every 30 days whether or not there have been changes.

Begin networking. Contact friends, faculty members, past teachers, etc. to inform them of your career plans.

Attend appropriate career planning workshops.

Begin developing a list of school systems in which you are interested.

Check out school system websites to learn more about the school district (recruiters will expect you to do this before talking to them). Learn about their specific application procedures. Many have online applications. If applications are not online, contact them to obtain necessary application materials.

Inquire about school systems that will be recruiting at Wright State, or at regional job fairs. Inquire about the processes for interviewing with these systems.

If relocating away from your geographic area, talk with Career Services about obtaining reciprocal services in the area to which you are moving.

Determine licensure requirements. Make sure you have completed PRAXIS requirements for your field (s).

If you are applying to out-of -state school systems, contact the appropriate State Department of Education or Professional Standards to determine requirements.

January/February (7-8 months prior to employment)

To keep your account current in The Wright Search, upload your résumé every 30 days and, in Profile, make sure 'Allow Employer Viewing?' is set to 'Yes.'

Stay current, be active: update your profile, upload your résumé in The Wright Search

Sign up for Mock Interview via The Wright Search

Attend Meet the Experts panel presentation.

Did you sign up in January for a Mock Interview? If so, arrive 10 minutes early in Career Services on the pre-appointed day.

Sign-up for Education Fair and Interview Day interviews via The Wright Search

Update online applications with consortiums and school districts.

March/April (5-6 months prior to employment)

Participate in Education Fair and Interview Day, education related career fairs and on-campus interviews (sign up via The Wright Search).

Send thank you letters to all contacts.

Register with online job search systems if you have not already done so.

April-August (1-5 months prior to employment)

Stay up-to-date with job openings through The Wright Search and other online systems.

Maintain communication with your network of contacts.

Contact school systems by phone or e-mail to stay in touch with potential job openings. Assertively network with educational contacts. Keep them up to date on your progress.

Accept an offer that is appropriate to your particular situation.

Inform those associated with your search once you have accepted a position. This includes those systems in which your application is still active.

Then CELEBRATE!

Review calendar of events for K-12 Educators › 

View Education and Human Services links in the Resource Center by Academic Major ›

School District registration is available through our online store. A credit card is required for registration.

If you do not have an institutional credit card, please contact Charlene Walker at (937) 775-2556 or email charlene.walker@wright.edu

Education Fair and Interview Day Registration for School Districts with Credit Card »

Registration for Education Fair and Interview Day is now closed.
Please plan ahead to join us in 2014!

Review Information for Potential Employers on the University Center for International Education (UCIE) website »

View a map of the Student Union on the Student Union website »

Visit The Wright Search information for Employers webpage »