Education Interview Day will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm in the Kansas Union Ballroom and is a great opportunity to network with multiple school district officials, learn about potential employment opportunities, and interview for current openings in all teaching fields. The event is open to all graduating KU students as well as
alumni and graduating students from other institutions interested in pursuing a career in PK-12 education.
School districts will be interviewing candidates for positions in the following areas:
- Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle and Secondary Teaching
- Special Education
- School Social Work
- School Psychology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- OT/PT
Typically, between 60 to 70 school districts from across Kansas, Missouri, and a number of other states attend this event. School districts will be conducting 20-30 minute screening interviews with candidates, which you are strongly encouraged to sign up for BEFORE the event (see below for more details).
However, some schools will have walk-up tables where you can walk up and talk to a district representative. Take this opportunity to network with as many people as you can. This is your chance to meet school officials face-to-face. Getting to know the hiring officials will be a big advantage when positions open in these districts. If you are not able to get an interview with a school district in which you are very interested, it is fine to drop off a résumé BETWEEN interviews. Be careful not to interrupt an interview in progress if you choose to leave a resume.
Interview Day Agenda
8:00 a.m. Student/Candidate Check-In Begins
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. On-Site Interview Sign Ups for Candidates (You will have the opportunity to sign up for additional interviews with school districts during this time)
9:00 a.m. First Interview Begins (Interviews occur every ½ hour)
12 noon - 1:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
2:30 p.m. Last Interview Begins
Frequently Asked Questions 
Which interview schedules can I sign up for?
What if the schedule I want is filled?
Can I sign up for interviews on the day of the event?
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my interview(s)?
Where are the interviews held?
How do I get there and where do I park?
How should I prepare for Education Interview Day?
What should I bring?
What should I wear?
What do I do for lunch?
What should I do after the fair?
How do I sign up for interviews before the event?
(Click here for a step-by-step tutorial recording)
In order to sign up for interviews with the districts before the day of the event, you must first register for KU Career Connections. Current full-time KU students may register for free. (Current students click here to register). Non-KU students and Alumni may register for $40 (Alumni click here to register. Non-KU Affiliates click here to register). Interview sign ups with school districts for Education Interview Day will begin January 19, 2013 and end February 17, 2013. (If you are not a KU student or alumna, you may sign up for interviews beginning February 1, 2013).
Once you have registered with KU Career Connections and have uploaded your resume, go to: https://ku-csm.symplicity.com/students/ and follow the step-by-step instructions below to sign up for interviews. Note: Your username is your email address and your password is your 7-digit KU ID number. Call 864-3624 if you have any problems logging in.
- Click on Jobs on the navigation toolbar at the top
- Next, click the Advanced Search tab
- In the drop down bar next to "Show me", select All Interviews
- In the drop down bar next to "Majors/Concentrations", select School of Education
- Scroll down to “OCR Interview Date”, and click on the first Select button, which brings up a calendar and click on March 5, 2013 and do the same in the next date blank
- Then click on Submit at the bottom of the page
- When you see a job title (Elementary=candidates completing a license for elementary grades, Secondary=candidates completing a license for middle and/or secondary level positions, Mixed=candidates completing an license, including early childhood, elementary, secondary, special education, speech pathology, social, school psych, etc.) and district you wish to sign up for, click on the Job Title. This will bring up a page with the information regarding known or anticipated openings, and on the right side of the page will be boxes with application information. *If you have not completed your profile or uploaded a resume, or if you have not selected "Credential/Education Certification" as your Degree Level (in Profile tab) you will not be able to sign up for interviews.
- To access available interview timeslots on that particular schedule, click on the gray box titled, Apply and Interview. You may then select an interview time by clicking on the appropriate button next to the time that will work for you and click Submit. It is up to you to make sure that you do not overbook yourself. While the system can provide you a list of your interview times, you should still make a list while you are signing up so that you don't create conflicts for yourself.
- If you need to change your interview time, do this during the sign up period. Click on Interviews on the navigation toolbar at the top. Find the interview you wish to change and click Reschedule. Then select a new time.
How long are the interviews?
School districts will have one or more interview schedules. A schedule consists of 10 half-hour interview time slots from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Some districts may not interview you for the full 30-minutes.
Which interview schedules can I sign up for?
See below for a description of each of the schedule types.
- Elementary Schedules (a, b, c) = If you are a candidate completing a license for elementary grades K-6 or early education grades B-K
- Secondary Schedules (a, b, c)= If you are a candidate completing a license for middle or secondary grades 6-12
- Mixed Schedules (a, b, c) = Are open to all areas of licensure (including Elementary, Secondary, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, School Social Work, Speech-Language Pathology, School Psychology, etc.)
Please only sign up for ONE interview per district. If you have or are planning to interview with a district you have student taught at, you don't need to interview with them again at this event.
What if the schedule I want is filled?
First, check to see whether the district has another schedule for which you qualify. Remember that anyone qualifies for a “Mixed” schedule. Look for multiple specific schedules (Elementary a, Elementary b, etc.). Check the schedules on KU Career Connections periodically to see whether someone has canceled an interview on a full schedule. Since candidates can cancel their own interviews, there may be interview slots that open up before the event. Finally, arrive at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the event and check the district's interview schedule(s) one more time for any last-minute cancellations.
DO NOT PANIC if you do not get an interview at Education Interview Day with a school district that you really want to work for. This does not mean that you will not be able to get a job with that district. You can still contact the district directly, submit an application, and request a screening interview from them. Some districts set aside special days for interviewing large groups of candidates (a “local district fair”). Ask whether they have such a day and whether you can be interviewed. You might also ask whether the district will be participating in another university interview event or fair in the area. Most, but not all, allow KU students to participate.
Can I sign up for interviews on the day of the event?
Yes, you may sign up for interviews with school districts on the day of the event. Candidates will have the opportunity to sign up for open slots with individual recruiters on the day of the event between 8:30 a.m and 9:00 a.m. You may sign up for any available interview slots at the individual schools' tables. Note, however, that many schedules of Lawrence and Johnson County area districts will be filled with pre-event signups. The only way to assure yourself an interview is to register and sign up for interviews on KU Career Connections well before the event.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my interview(s)?
Do make every effort to come. But, if for some reason you must cancel or reschedule, you will need to access your schedule on KU Career Connections before the online interview sign up period ends and cancel or change your interview times. Cancel as soon as you know you will not be interviewing, as this will open your interview time slots to someone else who may wish to interview in your time slot.
Please do not forget to cancel your interviews - employers will think you are a "no show" for your interviews with them. This leaves a poor impression on recruiters and is very unprofessional behavior for a job candidate. If you must cancel at the last minute before the event (after schedules are closed) or on the day of the event, call University Career Center immediately at 785-864-3624 so that we will be able to make note of this change on the final printed interview schedules or get word to the recruiters that you will not be interviewing.
Where are the interviews held?
The interviews will take place on the 5th floor of the KANSAS UNION, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Check in at the Student Check-in table located just outside the Ballroom on the 5th floor and pick up a name tag. We will post a list of school district cancellations and supply a list of known or possible vacancies.
How do I get there and where do I park?
If you have a KU parking permit, you may park in the appropriate lots. Otherwise, park in the parking facility adjacent to the Kansas Union (PF2), with entrances on Mississippi Street and Oread Avenue (extension of Jayhawk Blvd.). Parking in the facility is $1.50 per hour. The parking garage only accepts credit/debit cards. UCC is not responsible for parking violations. Click here for directions to Lawrence and a map of campus.
How should I prepare for Education Interview Day?
- If you have not done so already, make an appointment with Melissa Johnson or another Career Coach to have your resume reviewed before uploading it into KU Career Connections.
- Attend the ‘Get Ready for Education Interview Day’ workshop on Wednesday, January 23 from 2:00-3:00 and the ‘Education Resume Review Day’ on Wednesday, January 23 from 3:00-4:00. Location is 150 JRP.
- Practice, practice, practice! Schedule a mock interview with Melissa Johnson or another Career Coach. We will ask you typical interview questions and record you. We then watch the recording and critique your answers. This is great preparation, and is a free service at UCC for KU students and alumni. Click here for common interview questions.
- Do your research on the school districts you will be conducting interviews with and prepare questions to ask at the end of your interview.
What should I bring?
- Multiple copies of your resume to distribute to each school district you are interviewing with plus a few extra. (Typically between 15-20 is a good number to bring.)
- Reference list with complete contact information: name, title, work address, phone, and email.
- A pen and something to write on—a small portfolio with enclosed legal pad works very well. This is a good place to have questions written out for school districts. You will probably only have time to ask one or two questions, but it is good to prepare more just in case.
- Your Interview Schedule.
You generally do NOT need your teaching portfolio, but if you have it on CD (a good idea), you should bring a few copies for distribution if interviewing with smaller districts with expressed need in your field. Larger districts will be interviewing strictly for screening purposes, and you should wait to present your portfolio at the building level interview. Another excellent option for your portfolio is to have it online with the URL on your résumé. Some school districts may bring application forms for you to take with you and fill out or will direct you to their on-line applications, but generally districts will not expect completed applications before the interviews. It is certainly fine to contact school districts and complete applications before the event.
What should I wear?
You want to present yourself as a professional educator when talking to school officials, so wearing an interview suit is highly recommended. Remember that schools are conservative institutions. Gray, blue, and black are good suit colors; accessorize conservatively. Gentlemen, learn to tie a necktie and polish your shoes. Jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sneakers are NOT acceptable. If you need a suit, check out the UCC's Professional Clothing Closet, which offers free professional attire for KU students.
What do I do for lunch?
You are on your own for lunch and may eat where you like. Food service in the Kansas Union is on the 3rd Floor and includes numerous choices.
What should I do after the fair?
Get the complete name and address of each person with whom you interview so that you can send a thank you note—business cards work great for this. While UCC sometimes has names of attending recruiters, districts may substitute recruiters or reassign recruiters to different schedules. Please be responsible for collecting your own recruiter contact information. Follow up each interview with a thank-you note. It is a small gesture, but one that marks you as a professional and as a serious job seeker. This can be a deciding factor for a district with many similarly qualified candidates.
If you have any questions about Education Interview Day or have any problems signing up for interviews, please contact Melissa Johnson at mejohn@ku.edu or (785) 864-3624.
Click here to return to Education Interview Day home page.