Month: February 2025

ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE A COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE?

Assume that you are a well-qualified applicant who is applying for a mid-level leadership position and are 1 out of a total of 150 applicants. Assume that there are 10 other candidates who are at least as equally qualified. Therefore, you need to be better prepared than the rest of the field in order to out-compete them. What must you know and do so you stand out from rest of the candidates? Consider the following:

  1. Do you know how to strategically organize and design a resume that gets the reviewers’ attention?
  2. Do you know how to differentiate yourself in your response to the inevitable question, “Tell us about yourself”?
  3. Do you know the best order in which to be interviewed and how to get, like in a horse race, the best “post position”?
  4. Do you know what to do in order to accurately anticipate most of the questions you’ll be asked?
  5. Do you know long to take in answering a question?
  6. Do you know how to read the “body language” of the interviewers?
  7. Do you know what questions to ask at the conclusion of your interview?
  8. Do you know how to frame a final statement at the conclusion of an interview?
  9. Do you have a strategy as to how to present yourself as someone who is likeable and a good fit for the school-community?
  10. Do you know how to adjust your interviewing approach as you move from screening to committee to leadership to Board interviews?
  11. Do you know how to create an entry plan in anticipation to getting the job, and how to go about creating your priorities?
  12. Do you know how to “close the deal” if you are a finalist”?
  13. Do you know how to negotiate the best deal for yourself if you’re offered the job?
  14. Do you how to make a good impression during your first 100 days?

There are many other things that you must know in order to be a highly competitive candidate. I have coached 100’s of my clients get their dream jobs. Let me help you, too.

SCHOOL LEADERS: ARE YOU HAVING SERIOUS ON-THE-JOB PROBLEMS?

Coaching school leaders goes way beyond revising your resume and preparing for job interviews. Are you prepared to successfully transition into your new position? Are you struggling, even as an experienced leader, with coping with on-going problems? Who do you turn to in order to get strategic advice regarding on-the -job problems and crises?  Do you need guidance in planning the steps for your future career development? Getting objective and confidential sage advice from a highly experienced career coach can be essential to keeping out of trouble and assuring your success. There is no one out there who can coach you with the degree of insight and compassion that I provide to my clients.

Here are a few scenarios of school leaders who needed career coaching:

  • Mr. Smith just started a new job as a principal. He had served successfully and enjoyed popularity in his old job as an assistant principal where he had also been previously teaching for seven years. His assistant principal, Laura, was the runner up for Smith’s new position. Smith has asked Laura for her help in filling him in on matters like procedural things, “how do you handle …”, or “give me some background on Mr. Jones”. Laura’s responses are vague and generic. Smith sometimes observes his secretary whispering to Laura and as he gets closer, they abruptly end their conversation. When he enters the teachers’ cafeteria, it goes silent. He is feeling isolated and unsupported.
  • Mrs. Green is finishing her second year as the district director of social studies. It is generally agreed that she has done a good job and succeeded in solving some difficult problems. Her supervisor just notified her that the superintendent is considering re-organizing the directors’ positions as a possible cost saving initiative and that her job may to eliminated, although no decisions have been made at this time.
  • Dr. White is in his third year as superintendent of schools. Of the 7-member Board who selected him, only three remain. The newer members oppose some of White’s decisions regarding issues such as policies on student use of cell phones, and embracing policies promoting DEI, among other issues. Although White has one and one-half years left on his contract, he feels that his time is running out.

On-the job problems and crises come in a wide variety of forms. School leaders often feel isolated and uncomfortable in sharing their problems with colleagues who may not be trustworthy or may judge them as being weak or incompetent. I suggest what you need is a highly experienced career coach who will maintain your confidentiality and provide you with well-thought out actionable advice.

CONTACT DR. LARRY ARONSTEIN at larryaronstein@yahoo.com, or text at 516-423-0240. Check out his website larryaronstein.com