Preparing for Your Job Search

Before you begin combing the Internet in search of a teaching position, there are a few preparatory steps you should undertake to ensure that, when you do find that job, you’ll be ready to apply.

Update your resume
It’s common for people to let their resumes languish while they’re busy with school, work or their personal lives. Before you start looking for a job, be sure to overhaul your resume: Add new relevant academic and professional experiences; prune older, insignificant positions; update your contact information. Your resume, along with your cover letter, is the first impression you will make on your potential new boss — make it a good one. Be sure to include all education-related qualifications, especially certifications. To view the resume that got an actual teacher hired, click here.

Write a CV
Prospective employers may request a CV, or curriculum vitae, in lieu of a resume, so have one ready. A teacher’s CV includes his or her contact information, career overview, professional goals, qualifications, educational accomplishments, prior work experience and notable achievements. A CV differs most obviously from a resume by length: A CV can run three or four pages in order to cover all pertinent information (still, try to keep it as concise as possible). The two also differ in their goals. Whereas a resume aims to illustrate a professional identity, a CV is designed to construct a scholarly one, focusing on your experience and qualifications as an educator specifically. See an example of a teacher’s CV here.

Compose a teaching statement
Besides a resume or CV, prospective teachers may also be expected to produce a teaching statement. Also known as a philosophy of teaching statement, this essay expounds on your goals as an instructor, how you plan to achieve these goals, how you will measure your success, and why you wish to teach. Grandiose objectives should be eschewed for aims achievable in position you’re applying for — but express a longing to attain something greater than mediocrity. Teaching methods can include successful past techniques and strategies you hope to implement in the future. Barometers of success should be as specific as possible (e.g. student evaluations or test scores). Lastly, when addressing why you want to teach, discuss the rewards of teaching, the importance of education, the influence of instructors in students’ lives and such. A teaching statement is important as it allows you to standout in a much more personal way than a resume or CV can. To view a sample teaching statement, click here.

Compile a list of references
Submit a list of references to a prospective employer only if one is requested. This list should include the full name, title, employer, business address and contact information of individuals you are currently working with or have in the past. Depending on the length of your work history, three to eight entries may be sufficient. Supervisors, teachers and coworkers are ideal candidates, but you may resort to personal references (such as friends and family) if necessary. Be sure to contact all the individuals before listing them in order to alert them of their inclusion and to get their permission. See a sample list of references here.