Frequently Asked Questions

What is CS&A?

We are an educational consulting firm founded in 1977 with the primary mission of helping non-profit, independent, charter and like-kind schools worldwide recruit and hire highly qualified teachers and administrators. We also specialize in retained executive search and management consulting for independent and like-kind schools.

How extensive is your school network?

Schools rely on us as a primary source for qualified teacher and administrator candidates. Our clients represent all types and sizes of schools in the U.S., Europe and Asia, including primary, elementary and secondary, boarding and day, co-educational and single sex, urban, suburban and rural.

For school year 2008, CS&A placed more teachers and administrators in independent and like-kind schools than any other firm in the country.

Since our inception, we have worked with over 1500 schools in 46 states and 26 countries internationally and we have facilitated over 23,500 teacher and administrator hires.

Why can CS&A help me find a job?

Since we know where the jobs are and when they open, we can save you time, money and effort by helping you stay focused on the real job opportunities. Your job search benefits because we can immediately put you in touch with schools that have teacher and administrator job openings.

How does your placement service work?

Independent schools notify us about their teacher and administrator position openings daily. All the while, likely candidates register with us, seeking teacher and administrator job opportunities. We refer candidates by sending their dossiers to schools where appropriate position openings are known, making the connection between you and the schools.

You will know when we have referred you because at the same time we contact the school about you, we also notify you about the position opening with details about the school. You then follow up with the school directly to schedule an interview.

Elementary and secondary schools list position openings with us in all teaching and administrative fields. These schools are incorporated not-for-profit and, like CS&A, non-discriminatory.

How do I apply to use CS&A's placement services?

To apply for our recruitment services, you must first fill out our online application.

Does it cost anything to be a candidate with CS&A?

For applicants who are accepted as CS&A candidates, there is a $45 annual fee. The fee is waived for all undergraduate students. For those who apply and are not accepted as candidates, the fee does not apply.

What about my references?

Once you have been accepted as a candidate, we will ask you to submit 3-5 letters of reference.

Choose people as reference writers who have worked closely with you, especially those who have supervised you in a recent position. If you are teaching in an independent school, be sure to include the Head of School as a reference. If you are currently a student in college or a recent college graduate, ask professors who have known you best and/or who teach in your major field. You can also contact any of your supervisors from jobs or internships.

Request that your references not be written for a specific school so that you can use them again. Also, be sure the references address your teaching and/or administrative ability or potential, as that will help you the most. References should be written on the letterhead of the writer. It is a good idea to provide the reference writer with a pre-addressed, stamped envelope.

Please note: References can only be sent to those schools which have listed a position opening with us. Additionally, we cannot return references once they are sent to us.

Any hints on how to improve my job search?

Start now and apply sooner rather than later.

Follow up with our leads promptly; candidates who express their interest and take initiative are always more interesting to schools. Remain flexible, especially geographically; the more open you keep your options, the more opportunities you will have.

Keep us up-to-date on the progress of your search; when you follow up with us, we can follow up more effectively on your behalf with schools.

Use every resource available to you in conducting your search; it is in your best interest to do so.

Are interviews necessary at CS&A?

Interviews with CS&A staff are not required; however, whenever possible, it is helpful to have an interview. It permits you to discuss your preferences and aspirations directly with your Placement Associate, and you can have the benefit of professional feedback about your job search. It is a good idea to discuss setting up an interview with your Placement Associate after your application has been reviewed and we have notified you that you are registered with CS&A.

What about job interviews at the CS&A FORUM and LINK conferences?

The teacher placement conference FORUMs occur each year. In 2010, they will take place in Boston, Atlanta, New York City, and Washington D.C. The conferences provide opportunities for CS&A candidates to meet with multiple school representatives in one place over one weekend.

The faculty recruitment LINK conference occurs each year in conjunction with the annual National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Conference, usually in the early spring. In 2010 the event will take place in San Francisco. It is a network event which facilitates interviews between candidates and schools.

How do I contact CS&A?

E-mail the CS&A staff at recruitment@carneysandoe.com, call us at 617-542-0260, fax us at 617-542-9400, or write us directly at the following address: 136 Boylston St., Boston, Massachusetts 02116. Identify yourself as a candidate and briefly explain your needs so we can efficiently route your communication.

Some general tips for your job search:

Keep your teaching options open. The broader your range of abilities, the better your chances of being hired.

Be as geographically flexible as possible. Consider carefully the difference between choosing a job or a place to live.

Fill out your application thoroughly and neatly. A rushed job will appear as such and will be less likely to be taken seriously.

Remember: the success of your job search will depend substantially on how you present yourself on paper and on the phone.

The rewards of teaching in an Independent School

Teaching in an independent school can be a tremendously rewarding career. While experiencing independence in the classroom, you have more time with students because class size, which averages 18, makes student-faculty ratios low. You work closely with students and colleagues and have greater latitude in developing curriculum and programs. You have a chance to really make a difference!

Thank you for your interest in CS&A. Remember, in your job search, the sooner you act the better your opportunities will be. Act now; we can help!