Preparation tips

	Writing the application	Final Interview
	Phone interview	Professionalism

Writing the application

Most corps members are required to pass district certification exams in reading and writing skills, regardless of the grade level they teach. Therefore, we purposefully evaluate each candidate’s level of proficiency in writing.

You can find many online resources to strengthen your writing; we recommend ETS ProofWriter. This is an online tool that offers instant feedback on certain aspects of your writing: grammar, usage, mechanics, and style. Please note that the ProofWriter program does not use the Teach For America writing rubric as the standard for assessment and feedback. While ProofWriter can help you to develop your writing skills, it may not necessarily guide you to meet our writing requirements.

In addition, please review our writing proficiency standards as you proofread your application.

Writing Proficiency Standards

Not acceptable

Exemplary

Letters of intent characterized by any of the following: Does not answer the question or significantly veers from initial point No clear thesis or point Paragraphs include unconnected ideas No logical transitions Short undeveloped paragraphs Inadequate reasons, examples or details to explain ideas Contains multiple errors in word usage, grammar, and mechanics

Letters of intent characterized by all of the following: Clearly answers application questions, makes a profound point; stays on topic Has a logical and insightful progression of ideas throughout the letter of intent Clearly explains key ideas, supporting them with well chosen reasons, examples, or details Varies sentence structure effectively Chooses words carefully and correctly Contains no errors in word usage, grammar, or mechanics

Read more tips on writing the application:

• General tips for the application

  1. Learn about our mission and reflect on how this aligns to your interests. You can attend an online presentation or sign up to receive more information.
  2. Start the application by reviewing the questions. Knowing what is required will help you allot enough time to complete the entire application.
  3. Outline your response to the letter of intent before beginning to write. This will ensure that you've answered the question thoroughly and that you've structured your response logically.
  4. Complete your application carefully and avoid typos and other errors.
  5. Before submitting your application, review it against our writing proficiency standards. Applications that contain multiple typographical, grammatical or other errors may be rejected on this basis.

• Resume

  An effective resume will highlight your most significant achievements and leadership in clear and specific language, using data whenever possible and generally will not exceed one page. While you can choose to order your resume’s topics in a sequence that makes the most sense given your recent history, be sure to address each of the following areas:

  1. Academic Achievement, including degrees, majors, minors, cumulative GPA, as well as academic achievements, such as a thesis, participation in an honors program or awards.
  2. Work Experience/Significant Activities, including employment, roles in campus organizations or professional associations, athletics, volunteer work or other leadership experience. For leadership positions, describe the nature of your role, the size of the group or team you led and any specific, measurable achievements or awards.

  See examples of effective resumes:
  
  College seniors
  College graduates and working professionals

back to top

Phone interview

The phone interview is designed to give members of the Selection Committee an opportunity to get to know you better. Some applicants will not be required to participate in the phone interview and will pass directly to the final interview. However, given the short timeframe between invitation and participation, we encourage all applicants to prepare for this step. To prepare, you should do the following:

• Be ready to discuss specific experiences discussed or listed within your application. Learn more about who we're looking for.
• Avoid scheduling commitments immediately before or after your interview to avoid feeling rushed or flustered.
• Whenever possible, use a landline to avoid disruptions that can occur when using cellular services.
• Plan to be in a quiet place for the interview to ensure you are not distracted.

Here are some additional phone interview tips from About.com human resources specialist Alison Doyle:

• Keep your resume in clear view, on the top of your desk, or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it's at your fingertips when you need to answer questions.
• Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.
• Have a friend or family member conduct a mock interview and tape record it, so you can see how you sound over the phone.
• Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.
• Smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.

back to top

Final interview

Applicants advancing to the final interview stage will be given additional, detailed information about how best to prepare for the final interview when they are notified of their status. When preparing for your final interview:

• Plan and practice your five-minute sample-teaching lesson. Specific instructions on how to plan the lesson will be available to invited applicants in the Applicant Center.
• Review pre-reading materials carefully.
• Be ready to discuss specific experiences discussed or listed within your application. Learn more about who we’re looking for.
• Collect required paperwork in advance
• Review the directions to your interview site and make transportation plans in advance.

back to top

Professionalism

Teachers are community leaders entrusted with the welfare of children, so it is important that candidates demonstrate good judgment and professionalism. Applicants should make certain that they:

• Arrive to the interview early and prepared with all required documents
• Dress professionally.
• For men, a button-down shirt, tie, and slacks is appropriate.
• For women, a skirt of a reasonable length, slacks and a blouse, or a dress is appropriate.
• A suit is not required, though many applicants choose to wear one.
• Casual attire such as jeans is not considered professional.
• Use your best judgment and err on the conservative side when making decisions regarding dress.
• Speak in a professional manner.

back to top