The Yellow Board

Blacklisted?

Posted by Curious on 6/12/2022, 12:11 pm

So there is one district in my home town that I've sent loads and loads of applications to but have never gotten an interview.

I did my student teaching in this district. I felt like I made a good impression. I still have a good relationship with the head director at this school. After I graduated, I had a long period of time finding a permanent job. During this time, the fine arts director of this district would normally call on me to be a long term sub when a music teacher had to be out. I was always sort of frustrated during this period however, because it didn't seem like they were trying to find me a permanent job in the district. However, I eventually got another job in a different district and I didn't worry about it again... Until now.

In most districts around town, when I put in an application for a job, I at the very least get an interview. When I put in an application for this district, I have NEVER received a call back for an interview. I had even made a call to HR asking them if I was putting in my application correctly and I received a "Nope. I can see your application just fine here. You should be ok".

I am concerned right now because there is a job opening up in this district soon that I really want. Even the head director at this school has asked me to apply. But I'm worried that something is wrong.

I don't understand what could be wrong unless someone is just seeing my name on the application and tossing it in the trash? I don't really feel like I've done anything to deserve that though. Is it possible I've been blacklisted? Is there a tactful way to ask?

Re: Blacklisted?

Posted by Hometown Boy on 6/15/2022, 11:16 am, in reply to "Blacklisted?"

Lord knows I would never want to return to the scene of the crimes of my youth. We do things in our youth that can never be forgiven by a community. Move on and make a fresh start.

Re: Blacklisted?

Posted by Yep on 6/15/2022, 8:06 am, in reply to "Blacklisted?"

I had the same thing happen to me in my home town. So I left the area and never looked back.

Re: Blacklisted?

Posted by Same on 6/15/2022, 12:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Blacklisted?"

Also a hometown situation. I was a sub and was in high demand since I could run rehearsals. I had good relationships with several HDs in the district. Some were former teachers, others were old friends from school. I played in bands with many of them. I couldn't land an interview for years. Finally had to leave the hometown and move somewhere else.

Re: Blacklisted?

Posted by NLABD on 6/13/2022, 4:36 pm, in reply to "Blacklisted?"

I had the same issues in my hometown.

I tried to take comfort from the fact that even Jesus had the same issues in his hometown. But in the long run, I had a better life not being in my hometown for my whole life.

I got to experience so many other wonderful things that I would not have gotten to experience had I stayed there.

Re: Blacklisted?

Posted by Doubtful on 6/12/2022, 3:56 pm, in reply to "Blacklisted?"

I'm doubtful there is any way you can ask such a question. Why? Because it would most likely result in information about hiring processes that could get them into trouble.

If you have a head director in your corner maybe mention your interest to them. If you have a close relationship maybe you can ask them about it.

Honestly, sounds like somewhere you don't really want to work anyway. Probably a sign of much greater problems around too.

Re: Blacklisted?

Posted by Just saying on 6/12/2022, 3:33 pm, in reply to "Blacklisted?"

There are literally dozens of, if not a hundred, applicants for every single band directing job.

If you want to stand out to a FAD, and you have a relationship with them, send them an email or contact them.

If not - understand that no matter how much it's your "preferred" district, there are dozens more people who also want to work there - and if you don't have an IDEAL resume, they can just discard yours.

The days of ten to twelve interviews for a position are over. They typically go with their top three to five, and then expand if they don't find someone they like. What are *you* doing to put yourself in the top 3 to 5 people out of the hundred applications?

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