Tips on How to Get a Teaching Job
- Be at least somewhat geographically flexible about where you want to work. Family considerations and/or "significant others" may limit your options, but the more competitive it is for jobs in your teaching field, the more flexible you may need to be.
- Make sure to revise/update your resume during student teaching; add specifics of this experience. Make sure to include mention of certificate type AND all endorsement areas! If you haven't heard it elsewhere, don't blindly rely on a one-size-fits-all template (especially the Wizard with the 6-pt. font size for the address and contact information!) and perhaps be willing to go with a font more "daring" than Times New Roman!
- A top notch student teaching performance is always helpful, especially in providing you with more confidence and evaluations that "glow" with superlatives!
- Be willing to supervise extracurricular activities and/or coach. This isn't for everyone. It can make that first year of teaching more challenging, but for some candidates, it can add to the rewards too.
- Be prompt in responding to listed vacancies. Get familiar with the iasaedu.org job search site. If you have a "laser" focus on certain districts, definitely check their websites for up-to-date job postings!
- Make sure you follow through with the information requested, whether you are applying online, or the old-fashioned way. Districts will, however, understand if seniors do not have all documentation, especially if the student teaching semester is not yet complete!
- In your interviews, make effective connections between your own experience/observations, and the typical responsibilities/duties that you will likely encounter on the job, at the particular grade level(s) you expect to teach. Be able to address how your skills will enhance student achievement.
- Develop a teaching portfolio for use in interviews -- in most cases these will be interview situations at the school building that actually has the vacancy, probably not at job fairs. There will be situations where the interviewer(s) will value having a one-inch binder version of the portfolio to browse while you are talking; in districts where technology is very highly prized, they might prefer having your portfolio on a disk so that they could review it any time! This is something you can inquire about in advance of interviews!
- NEW and especially for elementary candidates -- if you have experience observing or participating in remediation that is referred to as "Response to Intervention", for Principals, this is becoming a buzz-word phrase with teeth. In the context of No Child Left Behind, these individualized student improvement plans have shown very positive results in student performance, especially in reading.
- Beyond your qualifications, attitude certainly counts -- be enthusiastic, positive and persistent. Having a good sense of humor is naturally a plus! Maturity, integrity? They'll also be on any district's wish list of desired attributes.
- Develop and use your network of friends, family and other educators. Your grapevine can sometimes be very informative.
- Having work experience related to education through part-time or summer jobs (or by volunteering) will bolster your resume.
- Substitute teaching can be a "foot in the door" for positions in school districts where competition is keen; same for the role of teaching assistant!
- Eventually, diversify teaching credentials. Gain multiple certifications, ideally in "shortage" areas.
