5 Ways to Get the Teacher Interview You Want

What good is interview advice if you can’t get the interview…

Here, you’ll find some extra support as you apply for teacher jobs and find ways to stand out from other candidates that may apply for the same positions you are. You may be wondering how you can stand out from other candidates. If you are, GREAT! I have a few tips that will help you get the interviews you want.

1. Apply For the Jobs You Want

It goes without saying. If you want a job, apply for it. We all know that! But where do you look for teaching jobs? Great question! Start by looking at your state’s department of education website for teaching positions that are available across the state. While the process may look a bit different from state to state, this is a great place to start to see what jobs are currently available and which ones you may qualify for.

2. Check Social Media

Everyone is on social media. (Maybe not literally, but it never hurts to check.) Many of the schools that you may be applying to or interested in working at have Facebook accounts or Twitter pages. LinkedIn is another great place to search through for job postings and to connect with educational professionals.

Social Media is not just for personal use. It can give you a bit of insight about schools you want to learn more about and to engage with educators and school leaders in ways you otherwise would not be able to.

Social media is great when it comes to a teacher’s job search. It allows a teacher to learn a little more about the school and some of the things that happen from day to day. Social media can also answer some of the questions you may have and help you to become more informed on whether this school would be a good fit for you and your career needs.

3. Get Your Resume to the Leadership Team

Many job applications require your resume to be attached in order to submit it. Even if this is the case, you want to increase the level of probability that the principal and school leadership team will have their eyes on yours.

Have you ever submitted an application and never heard back from the school’s principal? We have all been there. The reality is that sometimes the submission of your application just isn’t enough.

There are a few things you can do to increase the chances of your resume and professional documents will make it directly to the desks of the school leaders.

a. Find their email address and email it directly to them with a short message explaining your interest in the position.

b. Contact the school by phone and request to speak with the school principal or leader to express your interest in the job posting.

c. Go to the school location in professional attire with your documents, request to speak with the principal, and express your interest in person.

With scenario c, you may not get to talk with the principal directly. If you do, that is awesome. If not, leave your documents with the front office staff and ask them if they are willing to pass it along to the leadership team.

Go in confidently and be ready to interview on the spot. You never know. It just might be your lucky day!

4. Attend Job Fairs

Job fairs can take the pressure off just a bit because you are there to find a job like everyone else attending and school leaders are looking to fill positions. They can give you opportunities to make connections with educational professionals, learn more about the jobs available, and give you a chance to see what schools and positions fit best with your skillset and job interest.

When attending job fairs for educator positions, GO PREPARED! You should be dressed in professional attire and comfortable shoes for standing and walking. Have many copies of your resume and professional documents to share with potential employers. You want to bring enough so that you can leave your documents with them as you continue to walk through the remaining stations.

Remember, job fairs are a mutual experience. Potential employers are learning about you and you are learning about them. When you take on this mindset and perspective you can relax more and tap into your most confident self.

5. Timing Matters

The time that you begin your job search can make a world of difference. Spring and summer are key times of the year to look for jobs in education. While these are not the only times of year that hiring takes place, it is common for school leaders to begin their search for teachers as early as March/April into June/July to fill positions for the upcoming school year. (This time frame can vary based on the school’s hiring needs and yearly schedule.)

Sooner is better than later when applying for positions in a school setting.

Best Wishes to YOU!

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Go out there and share why you would be a great asset to their school. Also, find out how the school can make your careers experience a great one.

YOU GOT THIS!

- Educator Kae

*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.