Ways to Increase Your Odds of Obtaining a Teaching Job

There is absolutely no denying it: the economy is not at its best right now. Jobs just are not available like they were at one point. Not many years ago --lets say about four or five years ago-- many college freshman entered college with the idea that when they graduated there would jobs aplenty in their chosen field. This year many of those same freshmen might have been a little shocked to graduate and find themselves without jobs, especially if they were looking for a career in education. This year seemed to hold even fewer job opening than years in the past. But why? Aren't we always going to need good teachers? The answer is yes, but like many industries, education saw cutbacks in funds meaning classes increased in size, hiring fewer teachers, and even laying off teachers in some instances.

So what do you do when you find yourself with a degree in Education and no job? You make the best of your situation and prepare yourself for the coming spring when schools will again look for teachers for the fall. However, you don't just want to idly sit around for the next year. There are definite steps that you can begin taking to increase your odds of getting a job next year. The main thing you want to focus on is increasing your worth as a potential teacher. Next spring when schools begin interviewing, there is no guarantee that the economy is going to be at its height so you want to do everything you can to increase your value over the other applicants. There are several ways this can be done.

One of the first things you need to accomplish is to gain more experience teaching. While there may not be a need for new teachers in most districts, there is always a need for substitute teachers. This is one of the fastest ways to gain experience. I know this is probably not what you had in mind after graduating, but there are several great benefits to substitute teaching. One of short term benefits to substitute teaching is the pay. Many substitute teachers (depending on the district) get paid anywhere from 75 to 120 dollars a day, which can really go a long way especially if you are having to pay off college debts. The second benefit and probably the most significant benefit to substitute teaching is having an "in" with a school district. Districts are much more likely to hire someone they know and trust with their students than someone who just walks in off the street with a teaching degree.

If you are planning on substitute teaching you should probably take a few things into consideration. First, you need to apply early, most schools like to set up a list of standard substitutes (those they call before going through the list of all the other substitutes they have on file). Second, don't expect to be love and respected by all the students. While most students will show respect for their substitutes, there are those who like to try you at every point. Third, remember that if any issues should arise, you are not on your own; normally the administration is fast to stand behind their substitutes and help with any problems.

In addition to substitute teaching their are other things that can be done to improve your chances of getting a job in the coming year. Continuing your education is always a positive step. Whether or not continuing your education includes getting your graduate degree, employees are always looking for those teachers who are enthusiastic about not only their students education but their own as well. As educators there are always new theories and new methods being developed and it is important to stay abreast of all of these.

Regardless of what you decide to do, remember that despite the current economy there will always be a need for good teachers. Your present misfortune only gives rise to allowing yourself to be more prepared for your future career and for your future students.