Oh man...that is just so tough and I am so sorry for you and
your husband.

To your credit, though, his sounds like he is truly doing
everything possible to get a job. A lot of times, people will
say they are "desperate" and "willing to do anything," but they
won't apply to certain districts or they have a pecking list of
schools at which they are not willing to work. The very fact
that he is applying so far away and doing everything he can
speaks volumes about him. I TRULY believe that persistence and
an unwillingness to give up will result in a job at some point.

All that being said, make sure he is making contacts with other
teachers. I feel like I had to do a lot of kissing up to a lot
of different people to find out about jobs in districts around
my area (then, I was one of those who randomly got my job
without knowing anyone at the district). Some of the things I
did to network were...talking obsessively to people in my
classes at grad school (getting to know them, asking lots of
questions about their schools), making sure everyone knew I was
looking (Yes, it sounds incredibly obnoxious, and it WAS, but I
got 6 calls for interviews through these contacts), contacting
my professors (who would then put me directly in touch with
some HR people), and sending emails to people I had met in the
past to ask about the job forecast in their schools. Also (and
it may be too late this year), when he subs, tell him to
purchase some inexpensive business cards and leave one behind
with his sub notes--the more people get familiar with his name,
the more recognizable he is on a resume.

I am not, by nature, a believer in networking, and I won't deny
how difficult it was for me to put myself out there like I did.
But in all honesty, the summer when I finally started actively
networking was last summer, and it was the first time I
received calls for 2nd and 3rd round interviews (in all...I had
8 calls for interviews before I was offered my job!).

Truly, the best of luck to your husband and all of the people
reading this. I remember what it was like being in your shoes,
and I wish you all the best in your search this summer!

On 5/19/09, Elizabeth wrote:
> The good news is, there have been many openings in my
> husband's field, the bad news is, he hasn't exactly gotten
> any calls. He is LT subbing right now, so I get to make the
> F/U calls to the applications he sends to check to see if
> and when the district has started interviewing.
>
> Some districts have been 2 hours from our home, but you
> know, desperate times call for desperate measures. We would
> move. He mentions that (not the desperate thing, but the
> move thing) in the interest letters. Anyway, he submitted 6
> apps in southern Ohio all within about 2 weeks of each
> other. I F/U last week which was about 5 weeks past the
> first one sent. They ALL have hired already AND HE NEVER
> GOT A CALL!
>
> So, exasperation and/or deperation in my voice, prompted
> one employee to tell me that they receive HUNDREDS of
> applications for one opening and every applicant is
> basically a carbon copy of the next. We (you) all just
> finished school, just did student teaching, frequently all
> attended the same school, all come with the same price tag -
> how do you narrow that down. She told me that, of course
> not her district, but another one, she of course, has
> heard, simply goes every tenth resume and then reviews
> those first to see if they have enough applicants they like
> to interview. If not, they do it again. So, something like
> what, 90% of the applications don't get read??!!
>
> I had an Asst Super tell me that he looks for referrals
> and/or recommendations by other staff, colleagues, etc.
> Afterall, "how do I effectively evaluate hundreds of
> resumes when everyone is basically the same on paper."
>
> This is CRAZY! But it certainly lends credence to the fact
> that you really do need to know someone to get your foot in
> the door in a district.
>
> With that said, I know people are going to post they got
> hired and didn't....I realize that happens as well, maybe
> they were one of the every 10th resume scenario, maybe not.
> This is still crazy!!
>

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