When you interview, ask how soon they expect to make their
decision - that gives you a theoretical (although not guaranteed)
timeline for each position. Often they will give you this
information even if you don't ask.
If you are offered the "less desirable" position, at the time it's
offered ask how soon they need an answer from you. Often they can
give you a little time.
That does leave open the possibility that they'll need your answer
before you hear back from the other position, so unfortunately
you'll need to have an answer in mind (accept or decline the less
desirable offer) to address that scenario, too.
Good luck! The good thing is that you've gotten these two
interviews and they are fairly close together - if they were weeks
apart or if you didn't have interviews in both districts
your "dilemma" wouldn't be an issue, so annoying as it is it's
better to have this dilemma than not to have it! Have you had
either of these interviews yet?

On 7/06/10, ela teacher wrote:
> Thank you for your input Lynn. Believe me when I say that I
> hear your words of wisdom loud and clear, which is what poses my
> delimma. I was in a very similar situation last summer.
> Interviewed at two different districts, and I accepted the first
> offer, even though I knew it wouldn't be a good "fit" for me.
> Unfortunately, I was right. Last school year, while I am
> grateful to have been employed, was a nightmare and I was all
> too happy to resign at the end of the contract even though I did
> not have another job lined up. Sad part is, a week before school
> started, the district that I really liked, called and offered me
> the job, but I had already signed a contract, so I had to
> decline.
>
> My delimma is my concern that if I do that again this year, the
> pattern of teaching for two years at two different districts,
> and yet next year I'm still looking for another district to work
> for...well, it's going to look rather sketchy. I learned a very
> valuable lesson last year... just as the districts want to make
> sure each teacher they hire will be a good "fit" for their team,
> it is important that each candidate makes sure that the district
> they sign on with is a good "fit" for them as well.
>
> Yet, what you say is at the top of my thoughts... this is an
> extremely tough job market right now, and you're right... I am
> extremely fortunate that two districts actually called me and
> invited me to interview. That was the last thing I expected,
> after reading all the advice of "do not wait for them to call
> you...they wont".
>
> Also, you are right about focusing on the interviews
> themselves... I've so far been fortunate enough to have had 3
> interviews to date, with these two more, that makes 5... and I
> have yet to have a job offer. I'm just trying to remain
> positive. I know I am a good teacher, teaching is not what I
> do, it is who I am.
>
> Anyway, again thank you for your advice, I'm just riddled with
> anxiety of repeating last year's mistake.
>
>
> On 7/05/10, Lynn wrote:
>> In this current job market, I would be more focused on doing
>> well on those interviews than planning which you will accept.
>>
>> After I got laid off last school year (after teaching for
>> five years in the public system), I was lucky to land ONE
>> interview last summer. I was informed the candidate pool for
>> this one position was over 300. I made it down to the final
>> three after three interviews and teaching a lesson. I didn't
>> get the position.
>>
>> I am currently employed in the office sector, but I am still
>> actively seeking a teaching position. Few elementary
>> positions come up in or around my area, even though I live in
>> Los Angeles.
>>
>> I have applied for several positions. Some have actually
>> taken the time to send a scripted email response stating they
>> have had an overwhelming number of qualified applicants.
>>
>> Schools have an abundance of well qualified teachers to pick
>> from. So, if you have obtained an interview...count yourself
>> lucky.
>>
>> If you do get an offer from any district, I wouldn't wait to
>> accept it. There are hundreds of people who would be happy
>> to teach there...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 7/05/10, ela teacher wrote:
>>> Good Morning,
>>>
>>> I am faced with a potential delimma, and some advice would
>>> be very appreciated.
>>>
>>> I have been invited by two different ISDs for an interview
>>> this week. If it were up to me, I already know which
>>> district I want to work for between the two. However, in
>>> this tough job market, I am torn by the possibility that
>>> the least favorable isd offers me a position before I hear
>>> back from the more desirable one.
>>>
>>> Does anyone have any advice on how to handle stalling my
>>> acceptance (should an offer be presented) until I know if
>>> the other position will be offered or not?

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