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Tips and Resources

for Applicants

Application Tips

Once you decide what position you are interested in pursuing with CMS, it is important to fill out the correct application. The Instructional application is for those individuals seeking a licensed position such as teacher, social worker, counselor, psychologist. The Administrative application is for School Administration or other Licensed District Level Administrators. Please note that the administrative application is NOT for clerical positions. Finally, the Non-Instructional application is for those seeing a non-licensed position such as a teacher assistant, substitute teacher, office support, child nutrition, accountant, bus driver, etc.
Read the application instructions carefully and follow them exactly.
It is important that you read the job description and job requirements before you begin your application or attach your current application to an additional job posting.
As you complete the application, be thoughtful and take your time. This is part of the hiring process, so you want to make sure that you are representing yourself in a way that you would want future employers to see you.
Attach in the "Attachments" section all documentation regarding licensure, degrees, diplomas or transcripts to support your certifications and education.
Review your employment history. You’ll need to attach your resume and list your employment and education history in the application. Make sure that you’re listing the correct dates of employment, job titles, salary and education.
Review your application for spelling and grammar.

Reference Tips

CMS requires at least three (3) professional references be received and completed in order for your application to be complete. Former Managers, Supervisors and Clients (if you ran your own business) are ideal professional references. We cannot accept references from family members, coworkers or friends. References should be from those in a supervisory position.
When listing references on the application, list people that you have known for at least a year and that are willing to be listed and provide feedback to CMS. They should have some knowledge of your work ethic, professional experience, skills and abilities for the applied position.
Make sure you let your references know that they will be receiving an email from no-reply-cms.k12.nc.us@searchsoft.net.
- Included in the email will be a link to an electronic reference form which they will fill out. They must click on the link, fill out the form, select “Submit Reference Feedback,” enter their full name to electronically sign the form and then click the Submit button. Failing to follow these steps will result in the reference not being received.
You can check the status of your references through your online application. References that are listed as “pending” have not been completed. You can add additional references as you see necessary.

Resume Tips

Include all of your current contact information on your resume so we can easily get in touch with you.
- Include your full name, street address, city, state, zip, home phone number, cell phone and an email address. Make sure to use a personal email address (gmail, hotmail, yahoo, etc), not your current work email address.
Update and review your resume regularly. An outdated resume or application could minimize your chances at being hired.
Highlight your most relevant skills and experience first and then work your way down to other pertinent information.
Make sure that your resume is “easy on the eyes” and formatted well with plenty of white space.
Attempt to keep it to one page (or two pages if you have more than five years of experience in your field) and be absolutely certain there are no typos or grammatical errors.

Cover Letter Tips

Do not repeat the information in your resume
Keep it short (No more than a page)
Attach the file as a PDF – Not every computer is capable of reading .docx or .pages
Revise your cover letter for each job application to ensure that it reflects the job to which you are applying.
Check for grammar and spelling errors

Interview Tips

Dress professionally.
Research the district and if applicable, the CMS School you are applying to.
Be prepared to listen and answer all questions in their entirety.
Know the job description and your resume.
Be prepared for different interviewing styles such as behavioral or standard. Make sure when you are answering behavioral questions you describe the situation, relate the action that you took and then describe the result of the measures that you took.
If you have a phone interview, make sure you are in a quiet place and can hear the interviewer. If you set up a Skype or Facetime interview, make sure your technology is working properly before your interview time.