Frequently my clients tell me, “Despite my best efforts, I’m not moving forward in the interviewing process. I’ve revised my resume and cover letter. Thoroughly researched the school-community. Practiced my answers to the most often asked questions, and yet I’m not moving on. What am I doing wrong? Is it me?”

Candidates who get the job must present themselves as being “likeable” and representing a “good fit” for the community. What does that mean and what does it look like? I think you’d agree that most of us like others who are friendly, smile, thoughtful, modest, make eye contact, even tempered and direct. Fitting in means that the story you tell about yourself resonates with the needs, values and vision of the school-community.

There might be aspects of your background that can be perceived as negatives which result in not moving on. What are they? Your experience as an urban educator may be seen as a poor match in a suburban school. Or, your work in a small school doesn’t match the perceived needs of a larger district. Other factors that work against your candidacy might be competing against an “insider”, or you simply might be up against a more experienced, highly competent applicant.

What you should do is flip what might be perceived as a weakness into a strength. As an example, you can make the case that as an urban school leader you have a great deal of experience in dealing with difficult disciplinary cases. Another example: your experience in a small school has taught you to master a wide variety of operational aspects of managing a school. Still another example: as an “outside candidate”, you will can bring in new fresh perspectives.

It is not my intention to discourage your applying to schools that do not appear to be a “good fit”. Rather, my advice is to be well prepared and able to make your case to maximize the strengths of your skill set and knowledge base. So, if you are not moving on in the interviewing process, don’t feel defeated. You must be thoroughly prepared to make your case that perceived deficiencies should be seen as strengths.

Let me be your coach you so you are well prepared to “turn lemons into lemonade!”