| u've just graduated and want to start teaching as | | | | can use to search for teaching positions, and most |
| soon as possible. You have a huge mound of student | | | | states have a state department of employment |
| debt and want to start earning a living doing what you | | | | website that lists jobs for teachers as well. If you are |
| love. While educators are in demand in many areas of | | | | willing to relocate to procure employment as a teacher, |
| the country, budget cuts have left some districts | | | | then you can expand your search to the areas where |
| overstaffed, and thus, not hiring. To make matters | | | | you would be willing to move to. |
| worse, those that are looking to add some new talent | | | | Ace Your Interview |
| to their schools seem to prefer experienced teachers | | | | Now that you have identified jobs that interest you, |
| over those that are fresh out of college. If the ink is still | | | | you can prepare yourself for the all important interview |
| drying on your sheepskin, don't despair. The ideas | | | | invitations that are surely on their way. If you don't hear |
| below can help you to wow your interviewer and land | | | | from a particular school district right away, be patient. |
| your dream teaching job. | | | | Many of them put off their hiring to the very last |
| Beef Up Your Resume | | | | minute, and many have last minute, unexpected job |
| Before you begin looking for jobs in your chosen | | | | openings right before the academic year begins. (Also |
| location, beef up your resume. While you may not | | | | make a note on your resume if you are interested in |
| have the experience that many applicants do, | | | | substitute teaching positions that may arise during the |
| highlighting your strong volunteer history, activities and | | | | year, should you not be hired for a full-time position |
| organizations that you participated in during college and | | | | right away). When preparing for your interview, get |
| any internship you completed can make your resume | | | | ready to answer these questions: |
| stand out. Landing an interview is the first step to | | | | · How do you describe your teaching |
| landing your dream teaching job, and your resume can | | | | philosophy? |
| be the key that you need to get you through that first | | | | · How do you plan to motivate your students |
| door. Remember that your resume is your first | | | | to learn? |
| introduction, so put your best foot forward and make | | | | · What is your classroom management |
| sure that you attach a recent, professional photograph | | | | strategy? |
| so that you can help your interviewer put "a name with | | | | · How do you plan to communicate with |
| a face". Make several copies of your resume on high | | | | parents? |
| quality paper, and save a digital version of your | | | | · How do you handle a problem student? |
| resume for submitting along with online applications. (Be | | | | Another question that is commonly asked of teachers |
| sure to triple or quadruple check your resume for | | | | interviewing for a position is, "What questions do you |
| typographical errors; nothing looks worse to a potential | | | | have for me?" Many interviewees will say that they |
| employer than a sloppy resume). | | | | have no questions. But this is a bad strategy to get the |
| Begin Your Search | | | | job. You do not appear to have a lot of interest in the |
| When searching for open teaching positions, there are | | | | position if you do not have any questions about the |
| many routes that you can take. First off, you can visit | | | | position, now do you? You might ask about class size, |
| the central office in your local school district to inquire | | | | how many students you would be in charge of, and so |
| about open positions. This information is usually | | | | forth, among others. Follow up by asking for a tour of |
| available through the human resources department at | | | | the building to emphasize that you are interested in |
| the central office. You can also attend local job fairs, | | | | working there. |
| including virtual job fairs that may be hosted in your | | | | Be confident during your interview, and dress for |
| area. Your local newspaper is a good course for | | | | success by looking like a professional. Smile. Be |
| identifying teaching positions, and most school districts | | | | enthusiastic. Make eye contact. Be cheerful; the |
| are required by state law to post openings in | | | | interviewer will take your disposition during the |
| whichever newspaper has the greatest circulation in | | | | interview to be indicative of your classroom style, so |
| your location, although this varies from state to state. | | | | be sure to shine! |
| There are also a plethora of online job sites that you | | | | |