Well, it’s that time of year again. And if you haven’t yet got a teaching job, because you’ve just moved, or have been slow to start your campaign, or you just finished your degree program, you might think it is too late. But it’s not.
I’ve gotten a job in late August, and I know people who’ve gotten jobs the day before school opens. You can do this. Of course, no principal will come over to your house and knock on your door. You have to go out there and *get* the job.
A quick note: this is a general article. But if you’re particularly interested in jobs in classical schools, you might consider the post:
First: are your credentials in order? You’ll need a teaching credential from the state where you live, and a resume, and a cover letter that you will customize for each job. You will need your college transcripts and personal identify documents. The district will be doing a background check. You will almost certainly need two to three letters of recommendation. You can get these from:
- Former supervisors (best)
- College professors
- People with whom you did work for money
- Members or leadership in volunteer or other organizations you belong to, including religious congregations.
- Colleagues (least desirable but will often work in a pinch)
Okay, open up your contacts list and write down the people who might be able to do this. I know, it’s real hard to ask for that letter of reference. College professors, by the way, basically have to provide them when requested as part of their job description, but can be very slow, sometimes taking up to a month. If you need the letter this week, ask about twice as many people as you need letters from.
Next, your resume. I found it profoundly helpful to get a book on resumes and cover letters that was customized to the teaching profession. Using the materials for job seeking and resume building I found in Expert Resumes for Teachers and Eductaors, I got new jobs two years in a row. I cannot recommend this book too strongly.
Have you got other teachers or friends you know personally, or online companions, to support you during your job search journal? Social media actually is a good place to receive support for a job hunt. I received a lot of help from my twitter colleagues Robert Ward and Peg Graffwallner, Melissa at Colliding with Science, Rebecca Lynn, and Rita Wirtz.
You’re going to have to spend some time getting your resume right. Budget at least a day or two to go over and improve what you’ve got, using an appropriate guide book. Your resume is make or break. The principals will make their interview call lists for new openings using resumes.
