How to Get Your First Teaching Job

So you've done it. After 4 (or maybe 5, or 6) years of college you've survived student teaching, certification tests, and background checks, and have been deemed worthy of shaping young minds. Suddenly the question on everyone's lips is, "so where are you going to teach?"

Finding a teaching job can be an involved process. Schools want to make sure they're getting the most ambitious teachers, and incoming teachers want to be equally sure that they'll be in a supportive environment. The main hiring time is during the summer. Returning teachers typically sign their contracts in April or May, meaning that schools start posting their open positions in late May and early June. Here are some ways to help find a good match.

Start finding a teaching job by narrowing your search. There are several questions to ask here. What would you like to teach? Some of this is determined by demand. Discriminatory though it may seem, males and minorities are sought after for elementary positions. Other high-demand certifications include those for Special Education, foreign languages, and ESL (English as a Second Language).

Where would you like to teach? If the answer is somewhere close to home, it is likely that you already know of schools or districts that are hiring. If the answer is further from home, or even overseas, then its time to start doing some research. Choose several states or a geographical area. Consider things like the local economy, population growth, and cost of living. For example, right now, it is very difficult to find a teaching job in the Midwest, but states in the Southwest and Southeast are doing a great deal of hiring. Think about if you'd prefer to teach in a rural, urban, or suburban school, and what kinds of student demographics you would feel most comfortable with. Teaching in a Title 1 school is a totally different experience from teaching in a wealthy suburban district. Be aware that states vary in how willing they are to accept non-local teaching certificates. If you choose to go out of state, you may find yourself having to retake certification tests, or even take additional classes. This is do-able, but be sure to check into the technicalities before you commit to anything. The state's Department of Education website can be a big help in this area.

Once you have your area narrowed down, its time to hit the internet. Yahoo and Google searches will tell you the names of local school districts, but an even more useful website for potential teachers is www.greatschools.net . Clicking on the link to search and compare schools takes you to a US map where you can select a state and browse the districts in that state. If you find a district that looks appealing, visit the website and browse the job openings listed. Many districts have their applications online or available to print. Fill out applications for any districts you're interested in, then mail them with copies of your resume, college transcripts, letters of recommendation, teaching certificate(s), and results of any background checks you've completed.

Once this is done, you wait. If districts call you, they will likely want to set up a screening interview. This is done by someone in Human Resources and the purpose is to find out if you'd be a good fit with their district. They will review your experience, qualifications, and what grades or subjects you are interested in teaching. If this interview goes well, your application will be put into the pool that principals use to fill open positions. If no one calls, its time to take matters into your own hands. Call the district human resources departments and ask to schedule a screening interview.

After you've made it through the screening interview, you are waiting for calls from individual schools that think you might be a good fit for one of their open positions. These interviews will be done with a principal or assistant principal, and possibly several other school employees. Don't forget that you are interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you. Ask about curriculum, materials (do you have a spending budget or are you expected to buy everything yourself), support for new teachers, student demographics, typical class sizes, teacher experience and retention (beware of a school that needs to hire many new teachers every year), and salary. It isn't taboo to ask about money, so long as you do it tactfully. "Could I see a copy of your salary schedule?" is much better than, "so how much will I be making the first year?" If this interview goes well, you may be asked to interview a second time, or you may be offered a position.

If or when you are offered a teaching job, don't feel that you have to accept that first offer (unless its your dream school). You can ask for several days to a week to consider and see if anything else presents itself. Don't be hesitant about taking a job that may NOT be your dream school, with plans to transfer once you have a few years of experience. On the flipside, if the calendar says August and you don't have a job yet, all is not lost. Apply to be a substitute teacher. This is a great way to get your foot in the door while teaching many different grades and subject areas. Best of all, a substitute position can lead directly to a permanent position.Once you've accepted a teaching position, the real work begins. As a new teacher, you will probably have some sort of orientation. Learn everything you can about what and where you'll be teaching. Meet some of the other teachers in your grade level or in your subject area. Plan to be in your classroom at least a week or two before school begins so that you will have time to set things up. Then put on a big smile for Meet the Teacher Night (also known as Back to School Night), and get ready to do what you've always wanted- shape young minds.