Is resume "tweaking" worth it?

trebmal

I have a Master's degree in Education and live in a very rural area.  I am also a ten year veteran teacher, so I am on the upper middle end of most school district's pay scales.  And in this economy, districts can't afford me.
Well, as many of you know, this is the time of year when teachers who aren't tenured, have been told the funding for their position has been cut for next year (me) or those who just wanna move on start putting their resumes out there.
My question is this, is "tweaking" my resume ok?  Meaning, leaving off the part about having a Master's.  Six years ago when I got it, I did so to help me become a better teacher, not to kick myself in the hind end for racking up even more student loan debt and hurting my chances or employment later. 
I don't want to leave off any of my teaching experience as it's all been good, quality time in a classroom, and to me that is just a little too far for the tweaking, but if it means I could have a full time classroom next year, is it really necessary to include my Master's education on my resume?
Thanks for letting me vent, yet again.  You're the BEST.

calindi

I'm not sure I understand how having a Masters degree will hurt your chances of getting a job?

But no, I see no problem with leaving things off that you don't choose to express.  Putting things on a resume that aren't fully true is wrong (like adding something that you didn't do), but you can choose how you want to present yourself and that includes selectively sharing.  I see absolutely no problem in not telling them about the Masters.

trebmal

Putting my Master's on my resume moves me up substantially on the pay scales for the districts.  (
I didn't get a Master's to get more money, I honestly wanted to make sure I did all I could to be the best teacher I can be.  But now, it seems, having it on the resume makes me unemployable with the current economic situation.)
I am close to a state univeristy also, so many surrounding areas can hire a fresh graduate for 1/3 of what their pay scales would say to pay me with my master's and ten years experience. 
It's not at all right that it should be this way, but thanks to the crappy economy, it's what I am facing...boooooooooo

calindi

Ahhhh, I see!  Well, then as long as you leave it off and then don't later go, "Ta dah!  I have a Masters, thus pay me more!"  then it's fine.  If you don't put it on and don't expect to later add it, then whatever.

trebmal

Sorry I wasn't very clear with all that.  I just want to teach.  I would do it for free if I had to, so I wouldn't bring it up later at all.  I have been literally physically sick over the thought of not teaching next school year.  blech...

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_resume-tweaking-worth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:5d35f16b-8a7e-4e90-a863-a0c71dabb090Post:f22679c3-526a-41a7-b9f4-c5a16fb28998">Re: Is resume "tweaking" worth it?</a>:
[QUOTE]Sorry I wasn't very clear with all that. <strong> I just want to teach.  I would do it for free if I had to</strong>, so I wouldn't bring it up later at all.  I have been literally physically sick over the thought of not teaching next school year.  blech...
Posted by trebmal[/QUOTE]

To be quite honest, I wouldn't leave off the Master's Degree for this very reason. Mention that even though you have a Master's Degree, you would work for free if you had to.

I'm looking into becoming a dog groomer or doing something like that, and I'm having trouble getting interviews. My aunt gave me some great advice: let them know that this is your passion and you would work for free if you could. That shows them that you really, really want this to be your life's work and would do anything for your field/craft/career.

I don't know if this scenario applies to you, though. But that sentance struck a chord with me. GL! =)

trebmal

Awww, thanks.  I am in the same boat.  The reason I was wondering about leaving it off is because this time last year I was actually told by a parochial (sp?) school principal  that even with as impressive as my resume and references were, she didn't even want to interview me and get my hopes up for the positon as she knew she couldn't afford to pay me with my experience and education.  As much as I appreciate her  honesty, it still stings...

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_resume-tweaking-worth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:5d35f16b-8a7e-4e90-a863-a0c71dabb090Post:eb59fb66-a68f-4b4c-a1de-8dca756a1914">Re: Is resume "tweaking" worth it?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Is resume "tweaking" worth it? : To be quite honest, I wouldn't leave off the Master's Degree for this very reason. Mention that even though you have a Master's Degree, you would work for free if you had to. I'm looking into becoming a dog groomer or doing something like that, and I'm having trouble getting interviews. My aunt gave me some great advice: let them know that this is your passion and you would work for free if you could. That shows them that you really, really want this to be your life's work and would do anything for your field/craft/career. I don't know if this scenario applies to you, though. But that sentance struck a chord with me. GL! =)
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

The problem with this is unions.  If a Teachers Union is involved, their goal is to make sure that people are paid what they're worth, so they try to prevent people from accepting pay less than their pay grade because it creates a competitive situation where the job goes to the lowest bidder.  It's unfortunate, as people like trebmal get stuck unemployed because they've priced themselves out of the opportunity.

marleylikeair

Treb, Cate brings up a good point. I think you might want to check and make sure you're not shooting yourself in the foot, union-wise. Would you get in trouble with the union if they found out you had lied about your qualifications and taken a job below your expected pay grade? I have no idea, but you should definitely check that out. Good luck!

trebmal

You are SO right, Cate...
I hadn't thought of that.  grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_resume-tweaking-worth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:5d35f16b-8a7e-4e90-a863-a0c71dabb090Post:1ce42c2c-2853-495f-8274-353c21731909">Re: Is resume "tweaking" worth it?</a>:
[QUOTE]You are SO right, Cate... I hadn't thought of that.  grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Posted by trebmal[/QUOTE]

I think it's only a major problem with public schools, where Teachers Unions are most active.  I don't think they're involved in private and parochial schools, no?  Private schools don't pay as much as public usually, but if you just want to work, it's certainly a place to look!  I know for sure my high school in RI (small private) is still hiring for next year, so there's got to be other places out there in the same boat.

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_resume-tweaking-worth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:5d35f16b-8a7e-4e90-a863-a0c71dabb090Post:dd808027-661d-42d7-88d8-abfbc46c6f63">Re: Is resume "tweaking" worth it?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Is resume "tweaking" worth it? : The problem with this is unions.  If a Teachers Union is involved, their goal is to make sure that people are paid what they're worth, so they try to prevent people from accepting pay less than their pay grade because it creates a competitive situation where the job goes to the lowest bidder.  It's unfortunate, as people like trebmal get stuck unemployed because they've priced themselves out of the opportunity.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

Ah, right. The unions. I forgot about those. Forgive me, I'm very ignorant when it comes to teacher stuff, even though three of my friends are teachers O.o

That's a suckey situation =(

trebmal

You are correct on all fronts.  I am only working 1/2 time this year (hence my availability to be on here so much-haha) and am paying my bills all right.  Of course, it'd be nice to have more spending money, but at least I know what I am making is enough to keep gas in my car, the payments up to date and insurance on it and I am not defaulting on my student loans so I am ok, but who wouldn't always wanna make a little more money, right?  I am lookin everywhere.  I just mailed my resume to over ten schools last week, and where I live that covers over a 150 mile radius! LOL

peekaboo2011

I recently looked at applying for a teaching position.  Surprisingly, my research showed that private and parochial schools are starting to pay just as much as public schools.  In not paying, they were losing good teachers, so they've upped their pay.  :-)

Good luck.  I really hope it works out for you.  And, if you're willing to move, we got an email the other day from Career Services at our college saying that there are 94 positions available in the SE US through southernteachers.com.  If you want, I can PM you the text from the email, and you can look and see what's available.

trebmal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_resume-tweaking-worth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:5d35f16b-8a7e-4e90-a863-a0c71dabb090Post:e5c610d9-5625-4c6f-aaae-388c75b27276">Re: Is resume "tweaking" worth it?</a>:
[QUOTE]I recently looked at applying for a teaching position.  Surprisingly, my research showed that private and parochial schools are starting to pay just as much as public schools.  In not paying, they were losing good teachers, so they've upped their pay.  :-) Good luck.  I really hope it works out for you.  And, if you're willing to move, we got an email the other day from Career Services at our college saying that there are 94 positions available in the SE US through southernteachers.com.  If you want, I can PM you the text from the email, and you can look and see what's available.
Posted by peekaboo2011[/QUOTE]
I have heard that trend is picking up, however where I am (rural midwest) that hasn't hit here yet.  Thanks so much for the offer but I just moved back home from being 4 hours away to be closer to my family and I want to stay.  Good luck to you in your search as well.