Lesson Objectives

• Learn how to leverage AI to strengthen your job application materials as an educator

• Discover strategies for districts to become more attractive to top candidates

• Master the art of research-driven interview preparation for both sides

Do Now

Before we get started, take a moment to reflect on your last interview experience. Were you the interviewer or interviewee? What made it memorable—for better or worse? Keep that experience in mind as we explore how AI can transform the education recruitment process.

Also, buckle in—today’s newsletter is FULL of prompts!

What We’re Working with Today

It’s interview season! I’m a weirdo—I really like interviews. Both as the interviewer and interviewee. It’s something about the newness that surrounds interviews, I think. There’s an excitement about starting over.

Today we'll tackle the reality that the interview dynamic in education has fundamentally changed. With program closures and staff turnover, we're seeing stronger candidate pools, but also more discerning applicants. Districts are no longer just selecting candidates—they're being selected. We'll hit on some AI prompts and strategies for both educators job-hunting and administrators recruiting talent.

I Do, We Do, You Do

I Do: Here’s What I Created

This week, I build several websites/frontends on Lovable.dev. They announced a contest this weekend so I decided to try a variety of builds.

Here is a fun one I made: NEOINVADERS, a Space Invaders-inspired game.

Tools I used: Lovable.dev, Claude Sonnet 3.7, Grok 3

What does this have to do with interviews? Not that much… I’m all over the place this week. You could use Lovable to very quickly design a personal portfolio website. Use it to showcase your projects, accomplishments, weird AI art. I am working on a frontend for the IEP Implementation automation I have been talking about. Demo once it’s ready—hold for now.

We Do: Let’s Build This Together

For Educators: The Ultimate Job Application Enhancement System

Follow this step-by-step guide to create standout application materials:

1. Resume Enhancement Prompt

Analyze my educator resume (attached) and suggest improvements that highlight my impact rather than just duties. For each role, transform at least one bullet point into a quantifiable achievement. Focus on student outcomes, innovative approaches, and collaboration. Include suggestions for skills section organization and potential keywords for ATS optimization

2. District Research Deep Dive Prompt (** Use Deep Research on ChatGPT or DeepSearch on Grok **)

I'm applying to [DISTRICT NAME] for a [POSITION] role. Help me conduct comprehensive research by:
1. Identifying the district's stated values and mission from their website
2. Analyzing recent board meeting minutes for current priorities and challenges
3. Noting any special programs or initiatives mentioned on social media
4. Detecting patterns in their job descriptions that reveal unstated priorities
5. Suggesting 3-5 specific talking points I can incorporate in my cover letter and interview that show alignment with their needs

Include specific questions I should ask in my interview to demonstrate my interest in their unique challenges.

3. Cover Letter Personalization Prompt (I recommend Claude for this one)

Create a custom cover letter framework for a [POSITION TITLE] at [DISTRICT NAME] that does the following:
1. Opens with a specific connection to the district's mission or a recent initiative
2. Highlights 2-3 of my most relevant achievements that address their current challenges
3. Demonstrates my understanding of their specific student population
4. Shows how my teaching/leadership philosophy aligns with their culture
5. Closes with forward-looking enthusiasm specific to their context

My key experiences and strengths are:
[LIST 3-5 KEY POINTS FROM YOUR RESUME]

The district's key challenges/priorities appear to be:
[PASTE FINDINGS FROM RESEARCH PROMPT]

4. Interview Question Preparation Prompt

Based on this job description for a [POSITION] at [DISTRICT NAME]:
[PASTE JOB DESCRIPTION]

Generate:
1. 10 likely interview questions specific to this district's needs
2. For each question, provide a structure for my answer using the STAR method
3. Suggest district-specific details I should research to strengthen each answer
4. Propose 5 thoughtful questions I should ask that demonstrate my understanding of their unique context

For District Administrators: Becoming the Destination District

1. Job Description Transformation Prompt

Transform this standard education job posting into a compelling narrative that attracts top talent. The goal is to position our district as innovative, supportive, and mission-driven:

Original job description:
[PASTE CURRENT JOB DESCRIPTION]

Include:
1. A captivating opening paragraph that conveys our mission and culture
2. Benefits reframed as "How we invest in your growth and wellbeing"
3. Requirements presented as "Qualities of educators who thrive here"
4. A day-in-the-life snapshot of this position
5. Authentic language about challenges and how we support staff through them
6. A clear description of our ideal candidate that focuses on mindset, not just credentials

Our district's unique strengths include:
[LIST 3-5 AUTHENTIC SELLING POINTS]

2. Interview Process Redesign Prompt

Help me redesign our interview process to give candidates an authentic experience of our district culture. Our current process is:
[DESCRIBE CURRENT PROCESS]

Create a candidate-centered approach that:
1. Reduces anxiety and highlights authentic interactions
2. Incorporates student voices appropriately
3. Demonstrates our collaborative culture in action
4. Provides candidates meaningful information about day-to-day realities
5. Includes specific questions that reveal alignment with our values of [LIST VALUES]
6. Creates opportunities for two-way evaluation
7. Ends with clear next steps and timeline

3. District Culture Articulation Prompt

Help me articulate what makes our district a uniquely rewarding place to work, based on these elements:
- Our demographic makeup: [DEMOGRAPHICS]
- Recent achievements: [ACHIEVEMENTS]
- Challenges we're addressing: [CHALLENGES]
- Professional development approach: [PD DETAILS]
- Leadership philosophy: [PHILOSOPHY]

Create:
1. A one-paragraph "culture statement" for our careers page
2. Three testimonial templates we can personalize with actual staff stories
3. Five specific benefits of working here that go beyond salary
4. A framework for explaining our approach to [RELEVANT TOPIC: e.g., work-life balance, innovative teaching, etc.]

4. Candidate Experience Journey Map Prompt

Design a candidate experience journey map from initial job posting discovery through first 30 days of employment. For each touchpoint:
1. Identify potential friction points and emotional responses
2. Suggest ways to create positive impressions
3. Recommend communication templates/timing
4. Propose small details that will make candidates feel valued

Our hiring timeline typically spans [TIMELINE], and we want candidates to experience our values of [VALUES] throughout the process.

You Do: Your Mini Task for the Week

Now it's your turn! Choose one prompt from either the educator or administrator section that resonates with your current situation. Run it with any AI assistant, adapting the details to your specific context. Then, take one concrete action based on the output—whether that's updating your resume, reimagining a job description, or planning a more candidate-friendly interview process.

Think-Pair-Share

• Think of 3 ways your current application materials or recruitment process might unintentionally be turning away great candidates

• Pair up with a colleague to review each other's materials with fresh eyes

• Share your insights and improvements with our community of educators and connect with other Edumators who are transforming their classrooms with AI and automation.

Exit Ticket

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