Self-Managed Credential File/Electronic Credentials

If you are planning to enter the profession of teaching, it is very probable that you will be required at some point in your job search to produce “credentials”, “letters of recommendation”, or “references”.  School districts throughout the country now readily accept "self-managed” credentials submitted directly by the applicant. 

In addition to your cover letter and resume, tailored to the specific district/position as appropriate, your self-managed file should contain the following:

• College transcripts can be obtained through the Registrar’s Office at CSB|SJU.  Your signature will be required for release of a transcript.  You may wish to request a personal copy of your transcript and make copies to be included with your self-managed file.  If an employer requests an OFFICIAL copy of your transcript, you will need to have an OFFICIAL transcript sent directly to the employer from the Registrar.  Official means signed, sealed and delivered by an Official of the College.
• Copy of your teaching license (this is not necessary for recent graduate in the process of obtaining certification).
• Letters of recommendation from your student teaching and possibly one to two other professional recommendations.  These letters should contain contact information as well as the signature of the writer.  It is recommended to have a minimum of three letters of recommendation and a maximum of six so that you do not overwhelm and employer with paperwork.  These letters should not be more than five years old, except for ones from your student teaching experience.
• District application form if required.  Check with the individual district for specific guidelines. 

• Provide employers with an original cover letter and resume.  Make copies of other documents to provide to a potential employer.  Do not give out your original signature documents or original license.
• The appearance of your credential documents is as important as your cover letter and resume.  Use quality paper and a reliable source for duplicating to insure copies are visually appealing and easy to read. 
• You may wish to create a cover sheet to enhance the appearance of your credential documents.
• When mailing your credential documents, make sure you know the correct postage required.  Additional documents, weight of paper, and type of mailing envelope may impact the postage rate.
• Neatly assemble your credentials.  Do not fold bulky materials.  Personalize the mailing to the appropriate hiring contact within the district.  Type mailing addresses and return address on the appropriate size envelope or use a computer-generated label.   

You may have requests or you may choose to self-manage your file electronically.  There are organizations that offer services to store your documents on-line.  These services allow you to send your documents electronically to potential employers.  Although we are not advocating any particular service or vendor, EFolio is one such system sponsored by the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU), which is of no cost to Minnesota students and residents.  ReferenceNow is another such system which is privately owned/operated. Users pay a monthly fee while the file is actively available to employers online.  Information on a few electronic service providers can be found on the Career Services’ website a www.csbsju.edu/career/students/postgrad/educationopps.htm.

Please be advised that the presence of a link on our homepage does not indicate endorsement or recommendation from the College of Saint Benedict or Career Services.  Candidates are responsible for all fees and taking necessary precautions, including checking the credentials and integrity of each service provider. Career Services does not have first-hand knowledge of the scope or effectiveness of the service/site. 

• When applying on line and submitting an on-line application, we recommend that you make a copy of the completed application for your records prior to the electronic submission.
• Document where and when you electronically send your credentials. 

Career Services at the College of Saint Benedict is committed to providing the best career services possible to our students and alumni.  Should you have any questions regarding credentials or other career-related topics, please feel free to contact our office.