Jobber Worky

Even if you are a great teacher, finding the right school district and teacher jobs can still be a big challenge. After all, selling yourself and teaching a class of students are two very different tasks. Here are some tips to help you land the job that you’ve been working towards.

Preparing your Resume

The first step in finding an educational job is to take some time to prepare a good resume. Sometimes, you can get a job through volunteering or using the “who you know” system, but most employers rely heavily on resumes when they are selecting job candidates. Whether you have a little teaching experience or a lot, there must be things about your education, your personality and your past that qualify you for a job. And a resume is the first chance you have to show your strengths to potential employers.

You only have one page to work with though so don’t waste the space on giving them your references. If an employer is interested in what they see on paper, there will be time for references later anyway. Things that you should include are your contact information, your educational background, special awards and recognition, job history and any pertinent skills that you have developed. If there is room, you can also include something about your interests to illustrate that you are well-rounded.

The layout should be simple and easy to read. Use headings, bullet points, indenting, and succinct wording effectively. There are a lot of sample templates online if you need help getting a general idea for acceptable formats.

Preparing for your Interview

The second major task you need to focus on when looking for a school job, is preparing yourself for an interview. Look professional when you go. Don’t wear jeans and an old t-shirt, even if that is an acceptable dress code after you get the teacher job. Your appearance will create their first impression of you.

You should also prepare for discussion during the interview. You know they are going to ask you questions about yourself and the ways that you teach so if you want to be prepared for the interview, ask yourself the same questions and prepare well-planned answers. If there are surprises in the interview, take the time to thoughtfully answer their questions. It is much better to give good answers than quick ones.

Do research on the school system itself too. The more you know about their school, the more interested and informed you will appear. It will also prepare you for asking good questions when the opportunity arrives. You’ll probably be nervous, but remember to act confident and enthusiastic in spite of the butterflies.

Preparing a portfolio is also wise for an interview. As long as you have their attention, you might as well show case your skills. A portfolio illustrates that you are interested and prepared as well. At the end of the whole process, remember to send a thank you note. This shows your interest, good manners and reminds them that you are waiting for their consideration.

Preparing for a Process

Keep in mind that it may also take some time to find a good school job. Researching schools and geographic areas, sending in resumes, interviews and hiring is a long process that may happen several times before you get what you’re looking for. Don’t get discouraged if it takes longer than you planned. The key element in job-searching, for any industry – not just educational jobs, is persistence. Good luck.