| Finding a teaching job can be difficult, even during | | | | Do you have an extra or unique skill you can point |
| the best of times. In periods of economic | | | | out that would benefit the school? Be sure to |
| difficulty, it can seem down right impossible. As | | | | mention other ways you could be an asset, such |
| the global economy continues to suffer, | | | | as coaching sports groups, teaching a literacy club, |
| prospective teachers need to be more aggressive | | | | or facilitating a drama club. Many schools are |
| than ever in locating and securing a teaching job. | | | | interested in hiring someone who can perform a |
| If you are in the unlucky position of having to | | | | double duty or who are willing to assist with |
| look for a teaching job, do not despair. Teaching | | | | extra-curricular activities. |
| jobs are still available, but it may take more | | | | Be Knowledgeable About the School |
| effort to obtain one. Consider using the following | | | | Even if the only reason you are applying to work |
| techniques to increase the likelihood that you will | | | | at a particular school is that they happen to have |
| secure a position. | | | | a vacancy, do not convey that in your cover |
| Know Where to Look | | | | letter. Make sure that you learn about the school |
| While there are an assortment of places where | | | | district for which you are applying, because if you |
| you can find teaching opportunities from | | | | do not sound interested in the school district, they |
| numerous school districts, there are still districts | | | | will likely not be interested in you. Find something |
| that only post on their website. Be sure to learn | | | | unique about them that is of interest... or in an |
| how the school district you are interested in | | | | area you know your expertise would be helpful. |
| announces job openings. It could be a teacher job | | | | For example, if they had low reading scores, and |
| fair, teacher newsgroups, bulletin boards, etc. | | | | you were excellent in helping increase reading |
| While it can be difficult to look at websites for | | | | scores by using effective reading strategies, you |
| multiple school districts while job searching, doing | | | | would mention this. |
| so will decrease the likelihood that you will miss a | | | | Present Yourself Professionally |
| posting that may be perfect. Add the sites to | | | | You are applying to be a teacher, so act |
| your Internet favorites and visit them often to | | | | extremely professional at your teaching job |
| make sure you do not miss an opportunity. | | | | interview. Schools are less likely to hire someone |
| Your Teacher Resume Needs to Be Perfect | | | | who seems timid and nervous in an interview. |
| Create an attention-grabbing, aesthetically pleasing, | | | | After all, if you seem insecure in front of a hiring |
| accomplishment-based resume to ensure you will | | | | committee, how will you be in front of a class? |
| stand out from the rest of the candidates. Search | | | | Make sure that you get rid of your job interview |
| the Internet for resume examples, there are a | | | | jitters and present a confident front. Schools are |
| variety of different options to be found. Be sure | | | | looking to hire someone who can impart |
| to select a format that will effectively highlight | | | | knowledge and lead a classroom, so let them |
| your talents and qualifications as a teacher. | | | | meet that person at the interview. |
| Accentuate Your Relevant Teaching Skills | | | | Teaching jobs are increasingly hard to secure. The |
| Remember, you will likely be up against a large | | | | market is flooded with qualified candidates who |
| number of candidates, so make sure you explicitly | | | | are eager to secure a full time position in their |
| point out the strengths that you possess. These | | | | field. If you are serious about getting a teaching |
| may be the factors that stick in the mind of the | | | | job, you need to be aggressive, and make sure |
| hiring committee, and may help you win out over | | | | that you prove yourself in your interview. If you |
| other candidates. These strengths will also serve | | | | WOW them with your knowledge, skills, and |
| as keywords in your resume, which is critical to | | | | professionalism, it will be hard for them not to |
| securing an interview. | | | | offer you the position. |
| Point Out What you Can Do | | | | |