Candidate Toolkit

Build your own Meet & Greet schedule! Use this scheduling tool to keep track of your registered meet and greets for the day. You can also add workshops that interest you.

Do you need help crafting your resume? My Perfect Resume is geared toward school educators in specific teaching areas and has tons of example resumes to view. You may also want to check out Canva’s or Adobe’s free online resume builder for standout templates. A few additional tips…

• PROOFREAD your resume! Ask a friend, colleague, or mentor to do the same. 

• If submitting a cover letter in addition to the resume, ensure the letter is addressed to the correct employer – or keep it generic and address it to the hiring manager, committee, etc.

OLAS is the leading job search platform for anyone interested in working in a public school setting in New York State. Public schools utilize OLAS to advertise instructional, non-instructional and Civil Service positions. It is strongly encouraged that job candidates create an OLAS account, keep their information (and resumes) up to date, and apply for vacancies. For a chance to have a 1:1 session navigating OLAS, be sure to complete the job fair participant survey!

More recently schools have also turned to Indeed and LinkedIn in their candidate searches. It doesn't hurt to make an account with each job search platform or simply browse vacancies.  

• DO arrive early to your interview. Give yourself ample time to sort out Zoom/Google Meet logistics for virtual interviews and/or time to calm the nerves and review your talking points. 

• DO dress appropriately. First impressions really do matter. Demonstrate to the hiring committee that you take this interviewing opportunity and potential position seriously. 

• DO come prepared -  find out who you are interviewing with in advance of your meeting; research the school district and become familiar with their programs and mission statement; craft talking points and questions for the hiring committee; have printed copies of your resume and cover letters; bring writing materials for note taking.  

• DO send a thank you note/email 24-48 hours after your interview.

• DO NOT participate in a virtual interview in a loud or crowded space with distractions.

• DO NOT interrupt the hiring committees. Demonstrate that you are a good listener.   

• DO NOT hesitate to ask for clarification with interview questions if you need it. It is better to provide a response that you’re confident with than one that is made up and could definitely be incorrect. If you do not have a response, say so and ask for another question.  

• DO NOT be critical of your last employer or blame them for your current job search. Frame your transition as a learning experience and an opportunity to learn about yourself.

• DO NOT ignore the DO’s. 

• Become familiar with the job fair schedule, candidate scheduling tool and the general LHCSPA website. 

• Research the districts beforehand to ensure you meet your ideal or ‘top choice’ employers. 

• Find a quiet spot with a neutral background to participate in the fair’s events and meet & greets. 

• Test your Zoom account and your computer/phone’s audio and camera capabilities before the fair.

• Review the Interview Do’s and Don’ts section.

• Complete the participant survey after the fair.