When my experience and my credential don't quite match up
June 24, 2015 12:21 PM Subscribe
I am applying for jobs where they want X years of experience with Y credential. I have the X years of experience and I have the Y credential, but not the 'with' part. How do I finesse this in my cover letters?
The longer version is, I am a teacher with eight years of experience teaching at the primary-junior level. I am additionally qualified to teach at the intermediate level, but I have not yet done so. My current experience has all been primary-junior. I was advised to take the intermediate upgrade because if I ever wanted toi apply to a school which runs from K-8, I would be a better candidate since they would not need to find someone else to teach the 7-8 classes (which are classified as intemediate).
Now, I am looking for a new job and I have seen several ads which say things in the ad like 'the ideal candidiate will have an intermediate qualification with at least two years experience.' So, how do I finesse this in the cover letter? I have experience and I have the internediate credential, but I do not have experience actually teaching at the intermediate level, which is what they are after. I know that given my years of other teaching experience, and my training in the area of intermediate teaching, that I could do these jobs. But I need to get my cover letter and resume past any gatekeepers in the best possible way.
Bonus points if anyone knows a way to get a summer interview with the Toronto District School Board :) I know they are a tough not to crack so I am just throwing that out there since I don't know how else to make that connection :)
The longer version is, I am a teacher with eight years of experience teaching at the primary-junior level. I am additionally qualified to teach at the intermediate level, but I have not yet done so. My current experience has all been primary-junior. I was advised to take the intermediate upgrade because if I ever wanted toi apply to a school which runs from K-8, I would be a better candidate since they would not need to find someone else to teach the 7-8 classes (which are classified as intemediate).
Now, I am looking for a new job and I have seen several ads which say things in the ad like 'the ideal candidiate will have an intermediate qualification with at least two years experience.' So, how do I finesse this in the cover letter? I have experience and I have the internediate credential, but I do not have experience actually teaching at the intermediate level, which is what they are after. I know that given my years of other teaching experience, and my training in the area of intermediate teaching, that I could do these jobs. But I need to get my cover letter and resume past any gatekeepers in the best possible way.
Bonus points if anyone knows a way to get a summer interview with the Toronto District School Board :) I know they are a tough not to crack so I am just throwing that out there since I don't know how else to make that connection :)
A couple of things, here: to me, if you have eight years of teaching experience (even at the primary-junior level) and the intermediate credential, you meet the requirement that you describe.
But mostly I think you're just overthinking it. If it's a hard requirement, the gatekeeper will turn down your application when she sees your resume, regardless of what you've said in the cover letter; if it's not a hard requirement, you just sell yourself for the job as well as you can. Don't apologize or call attention to the ways you *don't* meet the requirements.
On preview, what NotMyselfRightNow said.
posted by mskyle at 1:33 PM on June 24, 2015
But mostly I think you're just overthinking it. If it's a hard requirement, the gatekeeper will turn down your application when she sees your resume, regardless of what you've said in the cover letter; if it's not a hard requirement, you just sell yourself for the job as well as you can. Don't apologize or call attention to the ways you *don't* meet the requirements.
On preview, what NotMyselfRightNow said.
posted by mskyle at 1:33 PM on June 24, 2015
I volunteer at a school district in NY. I do not know the Toronto system. But, I do know that through the OLAS system, every teacher opening in our district gets anywhere from 125 - 300 resumes and cover letters. There is no way that every cover letter is read thoroughly. It is my understanding that the HR person and the principal reduce the pool by 90% (leaving about 10%) just by looking at the resume, looking at the experience, the schooling and the organizations to which they belong as well as what extracurriculars they coach or supervise. It it the remaining 10% that get a close review plus anyone who has gotten a verbal phone call recommending them such as when another principal calls our principal to say this is a great teacher that was caught in an enrollment or budget downsizing and would make a great addition to your district.
I would not finesse the cover letter. I would not necessarily address that you have parts of what they say is the minimum requirements. They can decide that based on reading your resume.
To me, the best way in would be to have someone with either influence or a good reputation contact the HR department on your behalf.
posted by AugustWest at 1:49 PM on June 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would not finesse the cover letter. I would not necessarily address that you have parts of what they say is the minimum requirements. They can decide that based on reading your resume.
To me, the best way in would be to have someone with either influence or a good reputation contact the HR department on your behalf.
posted by AugustWest at 1:49 PM on June 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Forget TDSB. My friends who have been working for eight years still get reassigned each year. It will be a decade before you have stability. Try Peel, especially Brampton.
posted by saucysault at 4:26 PM on June 24, 2015
posted by saucysault at 4:26 PM on June 24, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
"I have an intermediate qualification and eight years of teaching experience in the XYZ school system. " Then explain how your qualifications are relevant for the new position - the exact same as you would in any other situation.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 1:31 PM on June 24, 2015