Searching for the Perfect Job
Your job search for that first teaching position is quite different from identifying the type of
school for which you’d like to work.
How to start looking
The job search is a focused activity. It involves exploring a variety of sources for
vacancies that meet those selection criteria you have established.
You will need to be precise in how you accomplish your search. A “shotgun” approach seldom
works; it wastes your time and energy. Instead, methodically conduct your search and respond to
potential vacancies.
Where to look
There is no one way to conduct your search.
There are several approaches you can use to accomplish your job search. No one approach is
preferred, since school districts employ a variety of means to post or advertise their vacancies.
Your job is to know what these posting venues are, so that you can search them periodically.
Return to these sources on a regular basis, because vacancy listings sometimes change daily.
Remember that districts handle their postings in a many ways. Some take immediate action
while others wait to fill vacancies.
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Print media
Some districts post vacancies in local newspapers, professional journals, or national publications like Education Week.
The problem with print media is timeliness: new vacancies may arise or existing vacancies may fill by the time the reader has an opportunity to react.
Peruse print media, but don’t spend too much time trying to locate teaching vacancies. -
Online media
Electronic media provides a relatively reliable source of position vacancies.
Districts pay a fee to advertise vacancies on a web site for a set period of time. Candidates may have free or paid access to this service.
Electronic media gives broad geographic exposure for vacancies, giving candidates many choices for positions across the country. -
Placement services
Often, teacher candidates overlook the placement services offered by their colleges or universities. Determine if your college/university has an electronic job board. The placement office, as well as the job board, provides good sources information regarding teaching vacancies. -
State, local and professional sources
State boards of education, regional or county offices of education, and some professional organizations routinely post positions.
Like electronic media and electronic job boards, these agencies post known vacancies. These sources often include direct web sites or links to the school district with the available position. District web sites provide excellent sources for position postings. - Recruitment fairs
Recruitment fairs publicize available vacancies. These events also afford the opportunity to
assess whether the district and its representatives match your own criteria.
Find out when and where recruitment fairs are scheduled. Many colleges/universities host the
fairs on-site. Some school districts sponsor their own fairs.
Strategy
Orchestrating a job search can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Use every available venue to search for a teaching position! Don't settle on one strategy alone.
Instead, use a combination of strategies.
In any case, do not randomly send out cover letters and resumes to school districts. This “
shotgun” approach is ineffective, since many districts may not even have teaching vacancies.
Be persistent, patient, and professional.