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8 Helpful Hints for the Employment Search

Helpful Hints for the Employment Search 

Within this chapter, you will find some helpful documents that speak directly to Course Objective #6 (Actively engage in your employment search).

The National Education Association (NEA) offers a 20-point checklist of key strategies for your teaching job search. They suggest:

  • Use national online networks for finding job openings, but also read state and local district websites. Here are some from our area:
  • Consider moving to an area that seeks new teachers, such as urban areas, isolated rural areas, or sunbelt states.
  • Consider teaching abroad for the experience and the wonderful addition that brings to your resume. Here are some teaching sites that offer international job possibilities:
  • Create perfect documentation/paperwork such as a resume, a cover letter and a portfolio. Have them available both online and in hard copy formats. Sometimes it pays to hire an expert in these things.
  • Keep samples of the work you created in a past teaching position, or in your student teaching experience.
  • Consider creating a website or using social media to highlight your teaching. LinkedIn is a great one to consider.
  • Attend job fairs, including those online, hosted by your alma mater, neighboring universities, and nearby school districts.
  • Dress professionally at all job fairs and for interviews. Your clothes matter, even if it is a Zoom or Facetime session.
  • Practice answers to typical interview questions. Write out your answers and practice in front of a mirror – or better yet, with a friend. Participate in a mock interview on your campus or with an administrator at your current school.
  • Be able to share positive vignettes about your experience with classroom management, differentiation, raising student achievement and test scores, and being a leader. Be ready to talk about success with online teaching, too.
  • Have a prepared answer for what you bring to the job, to the school, and to the students. What sets you apart?
  • Do your homework before an interview. Have a question or two ready for the employer that shows you know their district. Asking about induction and professional development is always a good idea. Don’t ask about salary and benefits at your first interview.
  • Do some follow-up. Write thank you notes or emails to those who interview you. Reiterate your interest in the position with something specific that you will bring to the position when hired.
  • Keep good records of where you have applied, and what paper work or online applications have been submitted to each potential employer.
  • Consider job searching to be your job right now. Make a schedule for job searching, sending out resumes, and preparing for interviews.
  • Seek out professional help. Use a job counselor or find a career center usually affiliated with your university.
  • Network, network, network. This is NOT the time to drop professional memberships, but rather a time to use them.
  • Be positive. Remember that whenever a door closes, a window of opportunity can open. Enthusiasm and being nice are highly appreciated by employers.
  • Good teaching skills are transferable. You can market yourself to private schools, libraries, community colleges and businesses as a teacher or trainer. Online teaching positions continue to grow.
  • Remain positive. With today’s tight budgets, some districts will not be hiring until mid- to late summer or even early into the school year.

Here are some helpful job search links:

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