The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-10
Hx K.therlne Leui.e smith.

NK "A fCopyright, 1907, by Joseph B. Bowles) If often occurs that woman desires &fn obtai1 a position as a teacher or in nome buiness ofiee. She may make a tpersonaI application but the field In which she lives is necessarily limited and she of course desires to krow what she can do in various localities In fhin case. she can either apply directly by letter to schools or business houses or she can register with some school ar business agency. These are to be found in large cities. but as some are zuost responsible than others, 1t Is we'll 4for the woman to make enquiries be- fore becoming a member. '%
 Having satisfied herself as to the sintexrity of the school or business fanencv the first move should be to write to them, state what position is kdesired. ask if they make speciality Of providing positions for any particu- lar line of work, and enquire concern ing their terms for admission and scommission. There Is plenty or time' after receiving the reply. for woman to become a member of the agency 1T she is satisfied with it's responsibility.
 Usually 1t is a good plan, when the snosition of teacher is wished, to reg ister several months in advance or 1he time when the position is desired. Spring is none too early to register for a fall position. as most schools know what vacancies they will have, before the close of the summer term.
 Recently there have been opened a faw reliable businss agencies Tor the purpose of supplying clerkships or Hcommercial positions to those who de- AsIre them. These are parronized by ca ucated and intelligent men and wo- men who are caiahle of holding re- lsuorsible and confidential offices For the great army. of women who belong to the so-called laboring class,state em- p1oyment agencies and charitapie m stitutions furnish opportunities TOT Se1npioyment. They keep on hand ust Of persons who will work and of places where work is desired. About a dozen States have these free employment bu- reaus which are so successful it Is to be regretted that every State does not open one The merit of registering with a central bureau. in all these cases. lies in the fact that they may know of dozens of opportunities for work where the applicant may. work- ing alone, know of only one.
 Tn case a woman registers. with school or business agency she will ee asked to pay a certain sum, frcoueut- iv two dollars, which enrolls her as member for a certain time. usually one year. She will also be expected tp sign a paper ito the effect that she xvfI1 nay a certain commission if she acceptg the position Usually this is Ave per cent of the first years salary or income, no matter how long the position is held. Often the position is in a boarding school. in which ease commission is estimated on the salary and two hundred dollars over, this being the rate at which board Is csl' culated for a school year. Often one has to pay higher in proportion Tor short period than for long time. For instance, a professorship in a sum- mer school costs more to obtain than one for the whole year. When posi- stion is accepted for income instead of salary a certain sum is required when the enlargement is made. Rules, Of course, differ with these agencies Du' the above is a fair schedule.
 Rapidity of action is always desira-. bie in applying for place. school Dr business firm may have several ap- nIications in one day and time counts here as elsewhere. An interview in person is always more effctual than by letter. If a woman Is in doubt as to the best time to apply 1t may be well to write and ask for an appoint ment- When one calls in person a correctly engraved calling card should De sent 10 the peESOH OhO uOSAiSo 1o see, by the clerk who meets strangers. pr if the person one desires to see Is met at once without intermediary, 1t Is well to present the card while in- kroducing oneself This helps to fix the name in the memory of business xnan and the card can later be referred to if it Is kept. If the position of teacher Is desired, the officers and members of the board should be called on separately and the subject broached fin the most favorable manner. Aside from the deslrability of presenting the ease in a forceful way, great deal aepends on testimonials.
 'srhe matter of dress of an applicant for a position seems to be a much mooted question. In your opinion does if make any difference?" A Compe- tent Teacher.
 Yes, much depends on personal ap- pearance. A tastefully and appropri- ately dressed woman, who is clad as well as her means will allow, will ob- tain a position where a poorly dressed or dowdy woman will not. She will