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Hey thanks for your feedback and advice. Definitely good
points we hadn't thought of. I'll pass this on to her. We had
talked about revamping the resume. Also good points with
regards to licensing in other states and applying to places
without current openings. It makes sense that less desirable
locations would be more inclined to work with applicants out
of state. Thanks again!

On 4/20/16, sped wrote:
> I'll just say that in my experience with job searches in the
> educational field, she shouldn't be applying for 200
> positions "over the years," but, at a minimum, 200 jobs per
> year. This goes for teaching, counselor, admin, and so on.
>
> My advice would be three fold:
>
> 1: She needs to critically look at her resume. My guess is
> that it is not well written if she receives no calls at all.
> There are a number of resources she can use to draft a
good
> resume that can catch the attention of administrators. If
> she has been applying for years and can't get a call, it may
> be her resume and/or application.
>
> 2: It is good you're willing to relocate, but focus this
> search constructively. She will need to have an educator
> license/certificate in the states she is applying to. The
> hiring of an out of state counselor is probably not going to
> happen if she isn't licensed in the state. If she is not
> licensed in several states, she should undertake that
> process, focusing on a few states she is most interested in
> relocating to.
>
> Even still, you need to understand that many districts aren't
> hurting for counselors. It is unlikely that a nice suburban
> district will want to hire her from out of state. They
> likely have a number of teachers who got their counseling
> degree, so why hire someone outside. If she is applying out
> of state, she should focus on the districts that... are bad.
> Inner city, urban, or po-dunk rural. Places some people
> don't want to go. She then can make a move to a nicer
> district in a few years once she is local, if she wants to.
> Typically large, inner city districts are more likely to hire
> from far away. They have more need and are willing to
work
> with out of state people. The nice suburban districts
> typically can get someone local, if not in-district, so they
> won't bother.
>
> 3. Apply, apply, apply. She should prioritize, of course,
> but she should be willing to send out applications
everywhere
> practicable. I would suggest that she focus on openings
> nearby, then on districts without openings nearby (apply to
a
> district without openings, and then when there is an
opening,
> her paperwork is in the system), and then focus on states
> where she is licensed/certified with the same
> prioritization. In PA, she should look at neighboring states
> where it would be possible to drive for an interview. She
> may target other places more far afield. California, for
> instance, apparently has a teacher shortage in some areas
for
> a variety of reasons, some of which is cost of living. I'm
> not sure if that has spread to the counseling field, but it
> is worth a look.
>
> On 4/20/16, Bernard Benko Jr wrote:
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> I'll preface by saying that this post may seem ridiculous
> or even desperate
>> on my part. I'm writing to get some honest answers. I
need
> feedback from
>> school administrators, especially if you're involved in the
> hiring process at
>> your respective schools, districts, etc. I'm probably not
> even the first
>> person to broach this subject.
>>
>> My wife has her Masters in School Counseling. She's
been
> applying all
>> over the country for school/guidance counselor positions,
> attending job
>> fairs, etc for the last 4 years. We live in Pennsylvania,
> and have a
>> willingness to relocate should an opportunity arise. I'm
> very supportive of
>> my wife and want to see that she gets to pursue her
> passions. However,
>> we feel at a loss with this whole process. She's spent
many
> hours each
>> day after work, applying even for just one position...has
> applied for almost
>> 200 positions over the years. Is it time to throw in the
> towel? Look at other
>> careers? I know counselor positions are few and far
> between. Is getting a
>> job really only about who you know? From what I know,
the
> positions aren't
>> often mandated, therefore getting the ax when cuts have
to
> be made.
>>
>> I figured I'd give it a shot by asking those that are
> involved in the actual
>> decision making process. Is there anything to make her
more
> marketable
>> in this field saturated with applicants?
>>
>> I'm not in the school system myself. I've been working in
> mental health for
>> over 15 years. I can only support her with this
> frustration, but don't really
>> know what else to suggest. I feel that she's qualified and
> has a background
>> competitive with other applicants. It's just that the hard
> work is producing
>> nothing. No calls for interviews, etc. I'm not even sure
> that her resume is
>> being looked at.
>>
>> Cliff's notes of her qualifications
>>
>> - Bachelors in education
>> - High School teacher for 5 years at a school in an urban
> setting
>> - 9 years (so far) working in the MH field
>> - Weekend director of a Residential MH facility
>> - Dialectical Behavioral Specialist - thesis on DBT for
> high school students
>> - CPI Trainer (non violent crisis intervention)
>> - Currently completing ASCA's College Admissions
Specialist
> certificate
>> training.
>> - More
>>
>>
>> I know I'm probably preaching to the choir with my
concerns
> and
>> complaints. I just feel that it's time she at least gets a
> chance. Sorry to
>> take up everyone's time - if you're reading this. Any
> advice or a point in the
>> right direction for my wife would be wonderful! Thanks!
>>
>> Bernie
>>
>>

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