Reply To: I am dying to get my first teaching job, but …

[nafmeadmin]

I definitely had some interviews where I could tell they were testing my ability to be cool under pressure! How you react when asked a difficult question reflects how you react when faced with a difficult student, and interviewers want to see that you can give thoughtful answers without getting flustered. Practicing mock interviews with my professors and colleagues really helped. In the end the jobs I was most attracted to ended up being non-traditional (non-public school) positions. If you broaden your search you may find that perfect fit. As for helping your application and resumé stand out, go above and beyond the requirements of your degree. Your school can do a lot for you, but if you want to separate yourself from the crowd, you have to be proactive. Seek internship opportunities, definitely attend state conferences and any other PD in your area, look for leadership roles… all the stuff our profs tell us is a good idea. There’s a reason!