I have had the opportunity to hire several staff members over the years. Each time I have had to hire, we have had a minimum of 75 applicants to sort through.
As a 6A Director of Bands, it is highly unlikely that we will be hiring an inexperienced teacher to join our staff. However, we recently hired a teacher with only one year experience from a different state...who also spent a year out of the classroom previous to joining our staff. Why did this person get the position...because they knocked it out of the park in all aspects of the job search. Their professional portfolio was impressively detailed, and they nailed the interview. It was a no-brainer and they have been a tremendous asset to our staff.
In another case, we have hired a staff member that was initially considered due to recommendations from several trusted colleagues. This person also subsequently proved their prowess on the podium as part of the hiring process. Why did he come so strongly recommended? Because he earned the respect of his colleagues prior to applying for our job, and demonstrated those skills for us as part of his candidacy.
It would be foolish to assume that networking is not an important part of our chosen career. That does not mean that networking is some sort of golden ticket to the job of your dreams. If you are networking with the goal of gaining information from experienced teachers, sharing ideas with your colleagues, seeking out the advice of mentors, and being a good steward of the profession then you will likely create opportunities for yourself along the way.
If you are struggling to advance your career, it would probably be worth your while to find a mentor to help you in your journey. There are many music educators willing and ready to help the next generation be successful. Check out the TMEA mentor network. Phi Beta Mu also offers mentorship opportunities.
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