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I can only agree with what has been posted. I had 4 interviews this past
cycle after getting none the previous year. I felt all of the interviews
went well but was not offered any of the positions. In my case, all of
the interviews were for positions I was not a perfect match for based on
coursework (and one principal did express concern that DoDEA would not
grant me immediate certification in that area.

I was disappointed to come that close but happy that I made it onto 4
principals short lists. I have no military or DoDDS experience but I
have taught overseas at several international schools. Needless to say,
I am making certain that I will be certified in as many areas as
possible BEFORE the hiring cycle starts again.

On 11/10/09, Rubeena wrote:
> Another DoDDS Teacher hit it on the nail!!!! you are absolutely
> correct.
>
>
> On 11/09/09, Another DoDDS Teacher wrote:
>> I have been in the system a long time and have seen lots of new
>> hires. As someone stated earlier, most of it is sheer luck and
>> being at the right time and the right place when it comes to
>> hiring. Things that you would do for a stateside position such as
>> writing letters of interest to principals, acquiring a Master's
>> degree, sending out resumes, etc. simply do not help you with
>> DoDDS. Also, being a former DoDDS student, or DoDDS student
>> teacher, or living overseas seem to have little impact. Vets do
>> have preference but principals do not have to hire them.
>> Principals also have to hire from a list that Headquarters creates
>> from their database of thousands of applicants. It is a mystery
>> how one makes it to this hiring list. The single most important
>> factor is having the exact qualifications needed for a vacancy.
>> Again, a lot of it is just luck and those in the system are lucky
>> and hold onto those jobs usually until retirement.
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/08/09, Rubeena wrote:
>>> I too have am a former student of DoDDS, prior military spouse,
>>> have vet preference, interviewed with DoDEA, am qualified to
>>> teach Birth to grade 8, English, Psychology, Special Ed. and
>>> art and I have been trying to get hired for 5 years. I have
>>> been told by the HR that I have wonderful references. I have
>>> friends in the system who tell me the pool of people just gets
>>> larger and larger. And as far as getting hired it is more of
>>> chance than a sure thing. Everyone wants in the system. Just
>>> the few of us on here post our desires to get in. There are
>>> far more than that who read the posts yet don't post anything
>>> and then there are those that don't have a clue about this site
>>> that want in. We all want the same things, and only a few of
>>> us will get it.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11/08/09, Sugasmile wrote:
>>>> I really don't think being a former DoDDS student will help
>>>> that much. I am a DoDDS alum and have been trying to get
>>>> hired for 3 years. I have certifications in Math, S.
>>>> Studies, Speech, AVID, and Educational Technology. One of my
>>>> high school friends (another DoDDS alumni) has been trying
>>>> to get hired for 6 years with an English and Special
>>>> Education background. Both of us have interviewed with DoDEA
>>>> this year. Now, we are taking more classes to get more
>>>> certifications
>>>>
>>>> I really believe it takes having the right certification at
>>>> the right time to get hired.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 11/08/09, Rotabound wrote:
>>>>> Thanks so much for your positive post! I'm a veteran
>>>>> AND a previous dodds
>>>>> student! hope what you say works to my advantage!!!
>>>>>
>>>>> On 11/08/09, teacher in germany wrote:
>>>>>> In our high school in Germany...we just hired a young
>>>>>> man...also 24, and it is his first teaching position!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> He was a dodds student and that seemed to play into
>>>>>> the choice...no worry about culture shock (military
>>>>>> or overseas wise). THis is someone who lived the
>>>>>> system before. I know my superiors are very prone to
>>>>>> hiring veterans. Again, they know they understand the
>>>>>> military culture, have no problem with moving around,
>>>>>> and understand chain of command. A veteran or former
>>>>>> dodds student has much more chance than a someone
>>>>>> never associated with dodds.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Good luck!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 11/03/09, Toni wrote:
>>>>>>> Many hired typically have many years experience.
>>>>>>> Plus you are going to be competing with 60,000
>>>>>>> other applicants. Basically it's like winning the
>>>>>>> lottery. Last year, over 60,000 applicants applied
>>>>>>> for jobs, and there were just under 200 jobs DoDEA
>>>>>>> was hiring for, this included teaching and other
>>>>>>> non teaching positions. There are many who have
>>>>>>> been trying for years, others get it on their first
>>>>>>> try. VET preference doesn't really play that much
>>>>>>> in the decision process. Best of luck though, there
>>>>>>> are many others who watch this board and make
>>>>>>> comments to share their stories. We are the select
>>>>>>> few, where as there is a whole nation of people who
>>>>>>> do not chat on here who wish their dream would come
>>>>>>> true. Since you are 24, have you thought of
>>>>>>> teaching abroad with private teaching agencies who
>>>>>>> hire Americans to teach overseas? DoDEA isn't the
>>>>>>> only agency who hires teachers to work in other
>>>>>>> countries. Just a thought,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sorry I should of specified I will have one full
>>>>>>>> year of full-time experience by the end of this
>>>>>>>> academic year. Thanks for the honest opinions!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 11/03/09, Another opinion wrote:
>>>>>>>>> I agree with what was said. At 24, I'm guessing
>>>>>>>>> you might be looking for your first teaching
>>>>>>>>> job. The only brand new teachers I've met in
>>>>>>>>> DoDDS have been hired locally. Everyone they
>>>>>>>>> recruit from the U.S. has at least a few years
>>>>>>>>> of experience. If you are stateside, you should
>>>>>>>>> look to take a teaching job anywhere so you'll
>>>>>>>>> start building a resume.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 11/02/09, My opinion wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> On 11/02/09, Rotabound wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> I just wanted to post some basic
>>>>>>>>>>> information as I am getting anxious with
>>>>>>>>>>> still over 6 months to go until hiring
>>>>>>>>>>> decisions are made and wanted to hear what
>>>>>>>>>>> my chances are!
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm 24, single, am certified in MS/HS
>>>>>>>>>>> Mathematics and Science, and am a veteran
>>>>>>>>>>> with 5-point preference. Are these good
>>>>>>>>>>> qualifications for being offered a job?!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Being a vet and having both math and science
>>>>>>>>>> put you in a good shape for hiring. Being
>>>>>>>>>> single and 24 will have no bearing. Don't
>>>>>>>>>> hold your breath on getting Rota, though.
>>>>>>>>>> Very few people ever transfer there or land
>>>>>>>>>> their first assignment at Rota. You most
>>>>>>>>>> likely would be offered a position in Asia.

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