It’s back-to-school season! As K-12 students head back, some still don’t know who their teacher is going to be. The end of summer and start of school year are a busy hiring time for many schools as they work to fill roles that opened or were created throughout the summer. If you’re still looking for a job in a school, these next few weeks are a great time to send applications! Here are 5 tips to increase your chances of earning one of these roles!
1. Follow application instructions thoroughly
Administrators are looking to fill these roles quickly! They are looking for complete applications, including all the documents and information requested. Some schools will want you to apply through websites like SchoolSpring, some through their district website, and others directly by email. Documents you’ll want to have polished and ready to tailor include:
- Your resume
- Cover letter
- Teaching philosophy
- References
2. Follow up with the Principal or hiring manager
The contact information for the Principal, Head of School, or other hiring personnel is often listed within the job description (check the bottom!). Once you’ve applied, send them an email letting them know you’ve done so, sharing interest in the role and the district, and expressing enthusiasm to be considered. This personal touch can help show your investment in the opportunity and indicate that you’re a candidate who really wants it.
3. Use your network
Imagine back-to-school shopping for a backpack. There are 50 options that all look so similar, and it’s hard to differentiate which would be the best fit for you. Your friend – who you know and trust – picks out one of the backpacks and tells you about how comfortable and sturdy it is, how its style is a fit for your own style, and how it has all the compartments you need for your books, water bottles, and laptop. You breathe a sigh of relief – a backpack you feel confident will get you through the school year! To the checkout line!
This is what it’s like having an internal advocate. Your network can help hiring teams feel confident that you’re a fit for the job, which will increase the likelihood that you’ll secure an opportunity. If you know people who work in the district, ask them to put in a good word for you! Remember that if it’s been a while since you’ve spoken with these folks, it helps to first reconnect and catch up a bit. Networking is all about relationships, and it’s good to warm a relationship up first before asking for help.
4. Be prepared to interview on short notice
Again, school need to fill these teaching positions as soon as possible, so you may be offered an interview with very little notice. Make sure you have appropriate attire, are thinking of how you’d respond to common interview questions, and are researching the districts you’re applying to as you go. Reflect on your teaching philosophy, how you manage behavior in the classroom, how you engage students, and how you collaborate with team members, as these are common topics in teaching interviews. Our Prepare for an Interview page offers more tips, and you can always meet with a career advisor for a practice interview.
5. Consider long-term sub and paraprofessional roles
Long-term substitute, paraprofessional, and other educational support roles are great ways to get your foot in the door in a district of interest. Across industries, organizations prefer to hire from within, so applying for sub and para jobs can be a great stepping stone to a full-time teaching position. These are also great opportunities if you’re still working on MTELs or are unsure what grade/environment might be right for you. Further, these opportunities will allow you to build your resume, try out a district for a set length of time, and develop your network so you have advocates in future searches.
So, are you ready to go back to school? Because schools are ready for you!
