Any experience with Transfair?

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping I can get some information about what to expect. I've been at the same school for eleven years, so I'm totally out of the loop as far as experience with interviewing. I love my school, but the commute has gotten to be a headache now that I'm a mom. Has anyone on here had somewhat recent experience with Transfair?

I know the openings are supposed to be posted on 4/10. Do people go to great lengths (getting up at 4, taking time off work, etc) to contact administrators as soon as positions are posted? Should I try to set up interviews before Transfair? How long are the interviews at Transfair? I saw the thread from last year about how to dress, but I'm hoping for more specific details about what to expect and how to prepare. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'm the one who posted the "how to dress" question last year. I went to transfair, got the position I applied for, and switched schools. (Incidentally, I'm now looking to switch back to my old school--the grass is always greener, right?)

I did not get up early. I got to work, looked at the list of vacancies during my planning period, and submitted my resume to the appropriate people with a short cover letter (more like a paragraph, since I knew they were inundated with resumes). Principal or coach or someone (I forget) emailed back asking if xxx worked for me as an interview time.

I showed up, talked to them about my experience and philosophy and what their school was like/culture/etc, and heard within a day or two with an offer to switch.

This was a secondary math position--I'm sure some disciplines are more competitive.

Happy to answer any other questions you might have!

[Anonymous]

I'm a department chair and having been interviewing at transfair for years. No need to get up early. I can speak to high school better than elementary. Just send your resume to the subject administrator and department chair. They will set up an interview. There are a lot of time slots, so unless it's a wildly popular school, you shouldn't have a problem. I would let your school know you are thinking about going. The first thing I do is contact their department chair to get a reference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the one who posted the "how to dress" question last year. I went to transfair, got the position I applied for, and switched schools. (Incidentally, I'm now looking to switch back to my old school--the grass is always greener, right?)

I did not get up early. I got to work, looked at the list of vacancies during my planning period, and submitted my resume to the appropriate people with a short cover letter (more like a paragraph, since I knew they were inundated with resumes). Principal or coach or someone (I forget) emailed back asking if xxx worked for me as an interview time.

I showed up, talked to them about my experience and philosophy and what their school was like/culture/etc, and heard within a day or two with an offer to switch.

This was a secondary math position--I'm sure some disciplines are more competitive.

Happy to answer any other questions you might have!

Thanks for responding! I actually found your post from last year helpful, as I realized earlier this week that my pre-baby suit would not work right now. Having what to wear figured out while I have the time during spring break is already a relief. I'm an elementary teacher, so I wonder if general education positions will be more competitive. It's definitely helpful to know that I can wait until my planning time to get resumes sent out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a department chair and having been interviewing at transfair for years. No need to get up early. I can speak to high school better than elementary. Just send your resume to the subject administrator and department chair. They will set up an interview. There are a lot of time slots, so unless it's a wildly popular school, you shouldn't have a problem. I would let your school know you are thinking about going. The first thing I do is contact their department chair to get a reference.

Thanks! This is helpful! My adminstration is aware that I'm exploring some options closer to where I live, but I'll be sure to talk with them more before starting the interview process.

[Anonymous]

FCPS elementary principal here--if there are particular schools you're interested in, go ahead and send your résumé now. Let principals know that you're looking to get closer to home. I received one this week and have already set up an interview at school. (I never "go" to Transfair. I interview at my school.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS elementary principal here--if there are particular schools you're interested in, go ahead and send your résumé now. Let principals know that you're looking to get closer to home. I received one this week and have already set up an interview at school. (I never "go" to Transfair. I interview at my school.)

Thanks! I appreciate this advice, as this something I was wondering about. I wasn't sure how contacting principals in advance would go over, so it's great to know that it's an option.

[Anonymous]

FCPS elementary principal here--if there are particular schools you're interested in, go ahead and send your résumé now. Let principals know that you're looking to get closer to home. I received one this week and have already set up an interview at school. (I never "go" to Transfair. I interview at my school.)

This. I got my job this way. It sounds like the principal you have now is amenable to your departure, but the one I had would have blocked me (and in fact he tried to since he didn't want to lose me). I was lucky to find the "back door". There are the rules that are posted and the way things really work. You sound like a great teacher. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

FCPS elementary principal here--if there are particular schools you're interested in, go ahead and send your résumé now. Let principals know that you're looking to get closer to home. I received one this week and have already set up an interview at school. (I never "go" to Transfair. I interview at my school.)

This. I got my job this way. It sounds like the principal you have now is amenable to your departure, but the one I had would have blocked me (and in fact he tried to since he didn't want to lose me). I was lucky to find the "back door". There are the rules that are posted and the way things really work. You sound like a great teacher. Good luck!

Principal here: I promise you we can't "block" anyone from transferring unless it is past the Aug 1 (now moved up to mid July) deadline for transferring to another school. There are no "back doors." If you want to move, and a principal completes the hire request form, it goes through. No permission is needed from the principal where you are currently working.

[Anonymous]

Just reviving this older thread since it is approaching Transfair time again.

Does anyone know when and to where this year's list of Transfair vacancies will be posted? An email came out today with locations, but did not include any information about positions. There is a "For more info..." link, but it takes me to an HR page that has no additional info.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The openings will be posted to the job vacancies page on 4/7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The openings will be posted to the job vacancies page on 4/7.

Thank you! I couldn't find that anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Transfair, Destaff Placement, and open hiring are all occurring at the same time this year (transfair and destaff placements used to happen before open hiring). Do NOT wait until Transfair (April 26 for secondary, not sure when it is for elementary) to start contacting principals. As soon as the openings are posted on Friday, 4/7, start sending resumes.

[Anonymous]

Anyone see them posted yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone see them posted yet?

No. I don't see anything in uconnect.