The Ultimate Checklist for How to Get a Teaching Job
by Brad Melsby – February 21, 2025
Congratulations on deciding to pursue a career as a teacher! Much work went into getting to this point; now it’s time to secure a teaching job. The employment process for teachers can be overwhelming. But we’ve got you covered! This article will break down the finer points of how to get a teaching job.
Before jumping into the job search, having a game plan is smart. That plan should include the following six areas:
Step 1: Collect Documentation
Have you recently completed a teacher education program? Perhaps you have work experience that inspired you to get into education. Either way, you want to become a teacher. Before you can apply for job openings, you’ll need to gather a few documents.
Here’s your checklist:
Create a list of three professional references with current contact information
Secure three letters of recommendation from supervisors, mentor teachers, or professors
Craft a professional resume or CV and a cover letter (more details in that section)
Request official university transcripts for all coursework
Secure copies of all relevant professional certificates, licenses, or test scores
Related Question: Do I need a professional portfolio with lesson plans and other educational materials?
Answer: In all likelihood, you DO NOT need a portfolio. In 40+ years combined in education, neither Amanda nor I can recall a single instance in which a teacher needed a portfolio to get a job.
Step 2: Craft a Resume/CV and Cover Letter
Your resume is a critical piece of your application. If your resume is incomplete, unorganized, or otherwise lacks polish, it’s unlikely you’ll get an interview. So what information goes in a teacher resume? How does one write a cover letter?
Teacher resume tips:
List your educational background (everything post-high school)
Describe classroom teaching experience, including specifics (grade, subject, responsibilities)
Do you have any other applicable work experience, especially working with young people?
Include certifications, licenses, or other professional development
Your relevant skills, including but not limited to any special educational training, technology proficiency, languages spoken, or curriculum design
Cover letter tips:
For more detailed resume or cover letter information, download this FREE Teacher Resume Writing Guide.
You should write a separate cover letter for each application. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a ton of work. An efficient method is to create a cover letter template that you can quickly tailor to match each job opening.
Related Question: What about Applicant Tracking Systems? Do I need to alter my resume if I think the employer is using ATS?
Answer: Yes. Applicant Tracking Systems are common, especially with large districts or job boards. Essentially, computer software filters out all the resumes that don’t match the job description. Those applications may never be seen by an actual human.
To optimize your resume to get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filters, use simple resume formatting (to avoid confusing the software program) and incorporate keywords from the job description.
***Given the limited space in this article, we’re covering the basics. For more, download this FREE Resume Writing Guide for Educators.
Step 3: Job Search and Application
What’s the best way to find out about teacher job openings?
Monitor local school/district websites; follow on social media
Regularly check regional or state job boards
Widen your search with websites such as EDJOIN, RecruitFront, K12JobSpot, NAIS, LinkedIn, Teacher-Teacher, Indeed, Monster, Search Associates, etc.
Attend job fairs and other hiring events
Network with personal contacts
Related Question: Which teacher job sites are the best? Should I check ALL the job sites listed above?
Answer: The job websites vary by location. Here’s a popular job search strategy:
To find educator openings near you, target the best job board for your region. Find the website that lists jobs from the highest number of schools in your area. For example, in California, most public schools post their openings on EDJOIN. (edjoin.org)
But you might notice that a local independent school doesn’t use EDJOIN. Instead, it posts teacher job openings on NAIS (nais.org), a website dedicated to independent schools. In that case, you should frequently check both websites.
Step 4: Job Interview Preparation
Interview prep is too large a topic to cover here. For now, here are the basic steps to be reasonably well-prepared for a teacher interview preparation:
Research the school – values, mission, initiatives, programs, demographics, academic performance, curriculum, and extracurricular expectations
Practice 2-3 minute responses to common interview questions; include specific examples
Rehearse in front of a mirror or with a partner
Prepare 3-5 thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers
Plan a potential demo lesson (typically done in a second interview, so you can hold off until you are invited to present one)
Related Question: What’s the format of a typical teacher interview?
Answer: Most teacher interviews last approximately 30 minutes. The interview panel will ask you 7-10 questions – the first question will almost always be some version of “Tell about yourself.” At the end, you can ask questions about the school or the job.
***If you’d like to read more about how to prepare for a teacher interview, check out the links below:
How to Impress in a Teacher Interview With No Experience
Five Key Teacher Interview Questions and How to Respond
When You Don’t Know How to Answer an Interview Question
Step 5: Interview Logistics
Dress in professional attire. When in doubt, err on the conservative side. Remember, you’re asking these people for a job.
Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early; account for traffic, parking, and time needed to check in with the front office. Have your ID ready.
Items to consider bringing: water bottle, breath mints, notepad, pen, and extra copies of resume
Silence or turn off your phone before going into the interview room
Related question: Should I send a thank-you email after the interview?
Answer: A follow-up or thank-you email is fine but not required. Avoid follow-up emails with questions that require a lengthy reply from a busy school employee.
Step 6: Professional Setup
Hiring a new teacher is highly consequential for schools – they want to be sure they select the right person. One “red flag” is when a candidate does not appear professional.
Here’s a list of tasks to boost your professional image:
Establish a professional email and voicemail message
Acquire professional attire and adopt workplace-appropriate grooming
Audit and clean up your social media
Join professional organizations such as NEA, ASCD, and subject-specific groups. (Avoid adding this to your resume unless your professional affiliations are unique and relevant.)
Related question: Will the school look at my social media during the hiring process?
Answer: Unlikely, but It’s impossible to know for sure. If you have anything posted that might be considered objectionable, why risk it? Take it down.
So what exactly is “objectionable”?
That varies from place to place. Our advice is to be overly cautious with your social media while job hunting. After you establish yourself in the community, you’ll have a better idea of what you should or shouldn’t post online.
Bonus Tip: Create a Personal Wellness Plan
Once you get a teaching job, your life will change. Your wellness plan should focus on improving or maintaining your:
Physical health – exercise, diet, and sleep
Social health – stay connected to friends and family
Mental health – managing stress, setting work boundaries
Emotional health – take it easy on yourself and others
Financial health – create a realistic budget
Professional health – look for opportunities to learn and grow
Brad has taught history at the middle and high school levels for 19 years, almost exclusively in American public schools. He holds a master’s in educational technology and is passionate about elevating the status of professional educators.