5 Job Search Tips For Teachers

1. Be Persistent And Personable

As a teacher, you want districts to remember you. Education Week surveyed a group of teachers for advice on obtaining a teaching career. When applying for a job, it is more personable to drop off your application in person and introduce yourself to an administrator, if possible. This puts a face with a name.

As far as being persistent, send out resumes monthly so you are less likely to be forgotten. Call to ensure that districts have received your applications and write thank you notes when given interview opportunities.

2. Write A Disruptive Cover Letter

Disruptive cover letters are essential in any job search. For teachers, it is important to personalize each cover letter for the school to which you are applying.

Your disruptive cover letter should be formal, addressed to the person responsible for hiring with the appropriate title and his or her name (Mr., Mrs., etc). Make the cover letter personal, so that it expresses your enthusiasm and passion for the teaching profession. Make it clear that you are knowledgeable about the school that you are applying to and sincerely desire to work there.

Also, be meticulous with checking your grammar and spelling. Errors can prevent you from getting an interview.

3. Carefully Complete The Application

The Guardian emphasizes that your application be neat and thorough. Since teachers should be technologically literate, type your application, unless you are specifically asked to hand-write it.

Make sure all of your employment history dates are correct and that you do not leave any gaps. This is actually a common mistake and could send your application to the bottom of the pile. If you have gaps in your employment history, explain why.

4. Have A Professional CV, Resume, And Portfolio

Have a polished and professional curriculum vitae or resume when applying for a teaching position. Anything longer than two pages is usually too much for a hiring committee to review.

Your resume or CV should have a clean, reader-friendly format with up-to-date information. Include your identifying information at the top, types of certifications with endorsements and certificate numbers, teaching experiences with job titles, locations and related experiences.

Also, having a portfolio can give you an extra edge during the interview. In your portfolio, include your teaching philosophy and evidence of work that you have completed.

5. Practice Your Interviewing Skills

The teachers surveyed by Education Week offered the following tips:

• Study the school where you are interviewing and practice mock interviews with peers or family members.
• Dress professionally and express your gratitude for being given the interview opportunity.
• While you should be prepared to answer a variety of questions, be sincere with your answers so you do not sound rehearsed.
• Most importantly, be yourself and let your passion show.

If you're a teacher looking for your next job, these job search tips will help!

Need more job search help? Join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!

If you want FREE career advice in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily Dose!

This article was written by Social Media Outreach Coordinator, Sarah Fudin, on behalf of Work It Daily-approved partner, 2U, and was originally published at an earlier date.