As a man in the field of Child Development, I know what it is like to be in search of a professional teaching position. Below are a few helpful pointers to help you stand out from the rest of the pack:
Look like you belong
First and foremost, make sure you look the part. Appearance goes a long way. The more professional that you present yourself the better your chances are of people taking you serious. Make sure you have conservative interview clothes. Always go into an interview with a shirt and tie, basic colored slacks, and casual shoes. Remove all piercings and cover all tattoos. You don’t want to give a potential employer any reason to pre-judge you.
Learn the Language
Next, you need to be able to talk the talk. Know the buzz words in the field you are pursuing. Be able to discuss positive and nurturing experiences working with young children. For those of you that don’t have any experience working with young children, volunteer your time at a local daycare or YMCA. This is a great way to gain experience working with young children and is a good way to add depth to your resume.
Have something to offer
Make yourself as marketable as possible. Have, or be in the process of attaining, the basic credentials needed to be considered a professional in the field of Early Childhood Education. Make sure you have current First Aid & CPR certifications and a food handler permit before applying for a teaching position. These are things that childcare centers have to come out of pocket for. By having these certifications and permits in advance, you can highlight this as a cost effective measure. You can show how you are saving their company money by not having to spend out of their budget to ensure you have these trainings.
Love what you do
Lastly and most importantly, make sure impacting the lives of children is something that you really want to do. The field of Early Child Education is not just another job! It is exactly like the movie the “Butterfly Effect”. Male teachers have the ability to alter the future with the positive experiences they can provide today. If you are not serious about making a difference in the lives of young children and ensuring they receive the best start possible, find another career path.
Jonathan Maiden has about ten years of experience working in Early Childhood Education. He is currently working as an Employment Consultant for the College for Technical Education in Lexington, Kentucky to ensure the career placement of all CDA candidates within their field of study. He was also interviewed on Good Morning America.