I was interviewed for a Special Ed position at a school near
Concord. The day before my meeting with the assistant
principal, I checked out the SAU's site so I could be better
prepared for the question-and-answer session. The interview
went very well, and the assistant principal, who originally
hailed from my hometown of Boston, asked me in our informal
vernacular if I had any questions or comments. I mentioned
that I'd found a fair number of same last names listed for
staff and faculty on the website and wondered if that had been
merely a coincidence or not. He winked at me with a wry,
knowing smile and said, "Welcome to New Hampshire."

PS: I got the job.

On 9/09/08, Musicmae wrote:
> I agree that not all schools hire who they know, but I think
> a lot of people are frustrated because they do not get the
> feedback you were talking about. Like you, after a few
> interviews I started asking what am I doing wrong. So I
> started asking, at first it was I needed more experience,
> then when I had more experience it was about the "right
> fit". I interviewed fine, I did a great job and yet no one
> had any suggestions. Most of the time no one even returned
> my calls regarding interviews and I even called more than
> once. So I commend you for being such a nice person and
> administrator - we need more of you out there in the world
> of education. For those of you looking for jobs, keep
> interviewing you will eventually find that "fit" - still not
> sure what that is but I did get a job (in another state) and
> I am happy to be working.
>
> On 9/06/08, John J. Stone PK-5 Principal wrote:
>> Just my thoughts....
>>
>> I read so many posts about people saying you have to know
>> someone or be related or blah blah blah in NH and most SAU
>> in NH. As a Principal I hire the best of the applicants
>> based on my team who interviews with me. I hired a teacher
>> via phone interviews from Ohio, new staff right out of
>> college who were complete unknowns to us, did not hire some
>> good friends due to one reason or other, hired older
>> teachers, younger teachers, those with no experience at all
>> because we had a gut feeling they were going to be good and
>> THEY WERE! I believe everyone needs that first break and if
>> they seem good enough etc. they will get the job!
>>
>> I really feel comments like hiring in NH is all based on
>> who you know, from within etc. is a COP OUT for those who
>> are upset they did not get a job after an interview and are
>> not happy so some excuse has to be made.
>>
>> I will not disagree that in some places there is hiring
>> based on who you know etc no matter if you are a street
>> sweeper,a senator, store clerk, computer programmer,
>> teacher etc. and that is wrong unless the person is the
>> best for the job!
>>
>> I suggest to anyone looking for a job (myself included if I
>> were looking) to be yourself in an interview, never claim
>> to be a "know it all", speak the truth, and learn from
>> interviews what you lacked by calling and asking how you
>> could do better to land a job.
>>
>> When I first started looking for Principal jobs (13 years
>> ago) I called and asked why I was not chosen and was told I
>> needed more experience in curriculum writing. I took a long
>> look at myself (wanting to blame others for my lack of
>> knowledge) and got experience so I could land a job once I
>> took care of my weaknesses.
>>
>> I guess what I am saying is "Don't give up! We do hire whom
>> we feel are the best and you need to sell yourself honestly
>> to land a job"
>>
>> Someday you will land that job but in the meantime don't
>> blame us or make accusations. Look at yourself also and
>> improve your interview skills as stated above.

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