Are you about to graduate? Here are some job-hunting tips and suggestions from MENC member Alicia Mueller.

1. Resume and/or Portfolio

Maintain an updated resume/portfolio emphasizing your strong points and major accomplishments. Ask one or two music education professionals to proofread your documents. For sample cover letters, resumes, and interview practice questions, visit A Career Guide for Music Education, provided by MENC member Barbara Payne McLain.

2. Letters of Recommendation

When asking for letters of recommendation, whether it’s for a specific job or a placement file, provide each person with a copy of your resume and job-description information. Include a stamped addressed envelope and give plenty of time to meet all deadlines.

3. Letters of Inquiry

Send out letters of inquiry and your resume to school systems where you’re interested in teaching. Ask if they anticipate a job opening in your area of specialization. Acquire information regarding the job application and procedures. Check out this sample letter of inquiry provided by MENC past National Collegiate Chairperson Jill Sullivan.

4. Personal File

Maintain a personal file for each school system, and eventually for specific jobs. Follow the correct job application procedure for each school system or specific job. Meet all deadlines and do not hesitate to follow up by mail, e-mail, or a phone call.

5. Contact Information

Be sure you have an accurate, reliable means for school systems or specific schools to contact you. You can even provide an appropriate voicemail message for incoming calls.

6. Networking

Network through former graduates, colleagues, professors, and university administrators, and inform them of your specific job interests. Attend and actively participate in MENC state, regional, and national conferences. Check out local and regional job fairs/centers and be aware that job interviews may be conducted in these settings.

7. Be Flexible!

Don’t limit yourself to geographical locations, school sizes, or music teaching subject areas. Venture out from the state where you’re living or going to school. Entertain the idea of teaching abroad or participating in an exchange program.

Refer back to the online article Job Hunting Throughout the College Years for more information. Mueller says, “This is a challenging yet exciting time for our music education profession. The possibilities are endless, and the opportunities are expansive! Creating and maintaining a career development plan will not only increase your chances for landing a great job, it will contribute toward a great enjoyment of your music education profession.”

Read other helpful recources about this topic:
 

Prelude to a Job, Part 1:  Getting Started on Your Search
Prelude to a Job, Part 2:  Networking and Creating a Portfolio
Prelude to a Job, Part 3:  Resumes, Cover Letters and Applications—Oh, My!
Prelude to a Job, Part 4:  Preparing for Your Interview
Prelude to a Job, Part 5:  Interview Dos and Don'ts
Prelude to a Job, Part 6:  Parparing for Your First Year of Teaching
Preparing to Teach Music in Today's Schools
Finding Your First Job as a Public School Music Teacher

Contributors

Alicia Mueller is associate professor of music and chairperson of the Music Education Division at Towson University in Towson, Maryland.

Jill Sullivan is an associate professor of Instrumental Music Education in the Herberger College of the Arts' School of Music at Arizona State University.

Barbara Payne McLain is a professor of Music Education at the University of Hawaii.

This article is adapted from an article in the Maryland MEA Journal (October 2003) entitled, “TIPS for Job Hunting THROUGHOUT the College Years,” by Alicia Mueller.

--Shauna Leavitt, April 8, 2009 © MENC: The National Association for Music Education.