The Admin Job Search Is Like Training for a Marathon

TL;DR:

Training for a marathon and the admin job search share similarities in strategy and preparation.
Identifying race/job search strategies and updating application materials are important initial steps.
Putting in the hard work of training/interview practice is crucial, as is mental preparation for race day/interview day.
The culmination is the race/interview, where you have control over certain aspects but not the final outcome.

The Admin Job Search Is Like Training for a Marathon

I trained for a marathon for a few months; I had the Denver Colfax marathon on May 21. In this post, I will outline similarities between training for/running a marathon and the administrative job search.

Step 1: Identify your race strategy.

In terms of running a marathon, you have to decide if you’re going to follow an official training plan, hire a coach, run with a friend or other accountability partner, or use a strategy that you’ve used for past (completed) marathons.

In terms of the admin job search, your search strategy includes: which level you’re going to apply to, which districts, and how much time per week you’re going to spend on job searches. You may want to do your job search every Tuesday, for example.

You CAN control your responses to the questions, the time you take to answer each, your posture, composure, and your mental game. Click To Tweet

Step 2: Prepare your training plan.

A marathon training plan will include many long runs during both the week and weekend. You’ll also need to incorporate cross-training at the gym or video home equipment days you’re not running. This may take a toll on family/work time. You may have to start your morning workout extra early, depending on how early you need to get to work.

In terms of the admin job search, this piece is all about having your application materials up-to-date and polished. You may not have updated your resume for several years, or maybe you have a pretty recent resume, but the job requires showcasing new skills and accomplishments from your latest position. Don’t forget to have a cover letter ready to attach to your application materials. You can cater this towards every position (district/school or type of position).

Step 3: Put in the hard work of training.

In terms of marathon prep, this is all about the many hours and miles you will run during the 18-20 week training cycle. It’s also the hours you’ll spend at the gym or in the pool. Don’t forget to pre-hab foam rolling, which I have slacked off some with, but as I approached the longest training runs, knew I needed to do this on the daily.

In terms of admin jobs, this is the interview process. It’s getting the call or email and putting in the practice needed to succeed and rise above the competition. This includes using 52 Practice Interview Questions you can download for free from The Principal Center, filming yourself and reviewing your mock interview answers, and practicing your interview questions and answers with a trusted colleague or coach.

Step 4: Get mentally prepared for race day.

At this point, you’re now past the longest runs. You still have a certain amount of miles to run and cross-training sessions to do, but are thinking about how the course is going to be, weighing your nutritional needs during race day, looking at the weather, thinking about hydration, layers, mental toughness during the race, etc.

In terms of admin jobs, this is all about waking up the morning of the interview and preparing yourself mentally. Have your interview attire laid out the night before. Have your route to the interview site mapped out. If it takes place at the end of the work day, decided what time you need to leave your current job, or if you want to consider taking the afternoon off. Additionally, the minutes you spend in the main office waiting to be called into the interview are crucial. In some cases, this time is critical as the secretary may be giving feedback to the committee about the pre-interview wait.

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Step 5: Run the race!

This is your time to shine! Everything you’ve prepared for during months of training boils down to this day! While you can’t control the weather or sometimes congestion on the race course, you can control your hydration, nutrition, gear choices, and mental game.

In terms of admin jobs, this is the interview itself! You may be interviewing in front of 3-4 people or there may be 12-15 people seated around a table. You may be sitting far away from them like on a makeshift stage in the library, or scrunched into a tiny office; you have no say where they’re going to interview you.

And you can’t predict all the questions they may ask, but knowing the general types of questions will help you (see: 52 practice interview questions for school administrators). You CAN control your responses to the questions, the time you take to answer each, your posture, composure, and your mental game. Once you leave the interview, you know you’ve done your best and the rest is up to the interview team.

In a marathon, YOU control if you’re going to make the 26.2 miles. You may finish but not be happy with your time. There will be a sense of euphoria followed by a feeling of “what’s next?” The moment is over shortly after the race finishes (but can last several hours or the rest of the day).

After a job interview, you may have to wait up to a week to hear back from the hiring party. To make the process easier, try to ease your nerves by immersing yourself in the job search and still applying and interviewing for other openings.

I have written a lot about the admin job search in my book, Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators. I have been through it during many hiring seasons. While the final outcome is out of your control, YOU determine the work you’ll put into the process. Good luck and keep positive, even if interviews lead to rejection after rejection.

About Dana Goodier

Dr. Dana Goodier has 23 years of experience in education. She has taught World Languages and English and worked as a middle school administrator. She completed her doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership early 2020. For her dissertation, she researched reasons parents were opting their students out of high-stakes testing at middle schools and how that affected the district accreditation rating.

She often speaks at conferences, providing educators with techniques to minimize off-task behavior and to increase time on task. Goodier is the host of the “Out of the Trenches” podcast, which features educators who share their stories of resiliency. She is also the author of the book, “Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators.”

Follow her on Twitter @danagoodier and visit her website at: www.danagoodier.com