Getting a new job can be a tiresome task, especially in teaching. The application and interview process is tough and there’s a lot of competition out there. You need to sell yourself, and come across as the best candidate. However, there are things you can do in your teaching job search to stand out from the crowd. 

Here are some tips on how you can land yourself your next teaching job. 

Update CV and Cover Letter

The first thing to do when you’re looking for a new job is completely update your CV. Have you been involved in any training courses or had some excellent achievements in your current role? Get them there. You want to sell yourself in the best possible way. 

Remember when you’re sending applications out that you want to tailor your cover letter to that school and that specific vacancy. That gives the employer the opportunity to see your research skills and dedication. 

Check Every Application Thoroughly 

Before sending an application, make sure you check it for any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Recruiters and hiring managers can write someone off easily, and you don’t want to risk that happening to you. If you’re applying for a role as an English teacher, and your CV is littered with spelling errors then it will not make you seem like a suitable candidate for the role. 

Always do a final check, ask someone else to look over it if you’d like, before you send it off. 

Sign Up To Recruitment Agencies

To maximise your job searching, look up teaching recruitment agencies that cover the location you’re trying to find a job in and sign up to them. They are normally free and are an extra set of eyes who can support you during your job search. 

Schools often work directly with recruitment agencies to fill vacancies faster, so once you’re on their books you can get access to a range of roles that haven’t filtered through to the general job market. You’ve also got a dedicated consultant who can provide you with one-to-one support, and give advice on your CV and cover letter so you can understand what mistakes you’ve been making. 

It’s usually easy to sign up, and worth doing!

Practice Interview Questions and Prepare Scenarios

A common technique in interviews for measuring skill and experience are competency and scenario-based questions. Interviews are kind of like a performance, you are examined from the moment you enter the building until the second you leave. You need to always be polite, courteous, and on the ball. 

You can prepare answers to the scenario and competency-based questions in advance, if you know what they might ask. It’s always helpful to work on some examples and then practice saying them repeatedly to get it to stick in your mind. Like rehearsing lines for a play, you’ll be able to answer much more quickly if you rehearse. 

Research The School Before Interview

When you go to an interview and they ask you why you want the role, you don’t want to answer with something general like ‘it’s really close to my house’. They are looking for answers about why you want to work at that specific school. 

Research them in advance, compliment them, stroke their ego and make it clear that you’ve looked into their statistics. Go on their website and view the accomplishments the school highlights, have they got an excellent language department? Or a really advanced science block? Perhaps they have a comprehensive additional support needs department you’d love to get involved with. 

Every school is unique, so you’ll be able to identify something from their website or news reports about the school to give an excellent answer. 

Don’t Give Up

As a last remark, remember that job interviews and job searching can be a gruelling and stressful experience. But it’s important not to lose hope after you get another rejection. It’s not personal to you, there may have simply been a better candidate. 

Every job application and interview is a learning experience for the next one. Write down the interview questions you faced – especially those you felt you struggled with – and then come up with better ways to approach them for next time. Reflect on your answers and give yourself honest feedback. If you’re working with a recruitment agency, discuss it with them for advice and guidance. 

Eventually your teaching job search will all pay off and you’ll be offered a new teaching job.