According to school administrators, using the Internet may increase your chances of getting a job, but posting inappropriately may be a liability.

Using the Internet to your advantage

Assistant Principal Lani Quisenberry gives suggestions on how students can use the Internet to their advantage when applying for a teaching job. “Job applicants could put references, videos of lessons, performances of students who have been taught, etc., on their site and that would be great to see!” Like many administrators, she emphasizes the importance of being wise in what you post. “Whatever is online that is used as a reference for a job should obviously be professional in nature,” says Quisenberry.

Music Specialist Michael Pierson agrees with Quisenberry, “The Internet certainly offers individuals the opportunity to market themselves to enhance their chances of getting a job.”

Liability

Though the Internet can be a great professional tool, administrators like Pierson agree that it can also be a liability. Pierson, who works in the central office of Loudoun County Public Schools and has also been a middle school administrator, says, “The reality is that teachers are held to a higher standard of behavior by the community than people in many other professions.  Within that context, I believe that inappropriate content on social networking sites and personal Web pages is a potential liability to students looking for employment.  Not only that, the content can be a liability to people who are already hired.”

Appearance and Dress

Pierson compares online appearance to dressing for success at a job interview. “I would recommend that you make sure the site is ‘dressed’ in a way that clearly indicates you want a job … if you don’t want a job, put anything on there you want. There will be plenty of people standing in line to take your place.”

Appropriate E-mail

A professional e-mail address is also key. “Choose an email address that is appropriate. If it says pinklovebunny3452@hotmail.com then you are sending the wrong message about yourself,” says Pierson. If your current e-mail might strike the wrong chord with employers, Pierson advises creating a new professional account just for your job search.

Character

Because of their work with young students, music educators are held to a high ethical and professional standard. “As the arts administrator for California's largest K-8 school district, I am directly involved in the hiring of arts teachers in the district.  It is important that potential teacher candidates understand that as professionals we hold in common certain agreed-upon standards: strong character, integrity, and honesty, just to name a few,” says Michael Stone. He adds that administrators often search for a candidate’s name on the Internet before an interview.

What are future teachers saying about this topic? Read What’s Lurking in Your Online Profile: Part 1

What are Professors saying about this topic? Read What’s Lurking in Your Online Profile: Part 2

Share your opinions about this article on the future teacher forum or email Shauna Leavitt.

Contributors:

–-Lani Quisenberry, Assistant Principal, Provo High School, Utah

--Michael D. Stone, Coordinator, Visual and Performing Arts, Bakersfield City School District, California

--Michael Pierson, Music Specialist, Dept. of Instruction, Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia

--Shauna Leavitt, January 29, 2009, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education