The educator job market in some geographic areas was excellent before the recent economic downturn, and many newly-licensed educators had their pick of choice positions. But this picture has changed dramatically thanks to today’s tough economy, and the educator job market has become highly competitive. Hundreds of highly qualified candidates may arrive at district job fairs where only a few jobs are available. There will always be jobs in the education sector, but the search to find them will take longer and require more effort on the part of the candidates.

Educator Jobs Supply and Demand
According to 2007 statistics from the American Association for Employment in Education, there is a shortage of educators in special education, mathematics, the sciences, English as a second language and bilingual education. If you specialize in one of these areas, it may be easier for you to find work. If not, and you are willing to consider relocating, areas of the country that are experiencing population growth, like the Sunbelt states, continue to need new teachers. You may also want to consider an online search to determine which areas are still hiring large numbers of new teachers.

When jobs are available, your teacher certification, also known as teacher licensure, is critically important. You have to be fully certified/licensed for the state in which you plan to work when the job becomes available, and each state has its own requirements. For a complete list of states’ departments of education and their qualifying requirements, go online to the Department of Education website. Teachers-Teachers.com also serves as a free resource, matching districts’ teaching needs with your qualifications.

Where Do You Start Your Job Search?
Your college career center can help you tremendously. Go to the career center office and/or website for information on how they may best be able to assist you. Career centers offer information on how to find teaching jobs, as well as sponsor on-campus job fairs. The center can help you write and edit your essential job search documents—the résumé, cover letter and portfolio—and may be able to offer you other services, such as mailing out letters of reference in a formal credentials file. Read the website to find out what your college offers before you make an appointment. If you have moved away from your college, you may want to try the career center of the college or university closest to you. The rules governing these resources differ at every institution. Occasionally online resources and on-campus events are free and available to the general public. Call ahead or check the website to determine if you are eligible to take advantage of these resources.

How Do You Locate Job Openings?
In today’s world, the Web is one of your best job-search tools. National online clearinghouses feature extensive job listings. Specialized professional associations have national websites with job openings specifically for educators. Check the one for your subject—math, reading or special education, among others.

Education agency and organization sites are not the only resources available to you. A social media site, such as LinkedIn, may serve you in your job search as well. Individual state job sites can be found by using any search engine (like Google) and typing “teaching job in [name of state].” Some sites are more comprehensive than others, but do check the ones for states where you want to work.  For a good example, visit www.teachgeorgia.org.

Districts often maintain their own websites and list job openings there. Check the districts’ websites every week in the fall semester and every day in the spring semester for jobs that start in August of the new school year.

What Else Exists Besides Online Job Searching?

Networking can help you find out about jobs that haven’t yet been posted, or that are available in districts that don’t post openings online. Consider reaching out to your college professors, the colleagues with whom you student taught, and any employed educators that you know. Let them know you’re looking for a position. Memberships in a local chapter of the NEA and in a professional association, like Phi Delta Kappa or Kappa Delta Pi, give you an automatic network of teachers in your area and state. Of course, some districts still use newspapers to advertise jobs, but make sure you supplement your search in the classifieds with an online search as well.

Register to be a substitute teacher. This gives you another way to “get your foot in the door” of a school district. Schools often need substitutes late in the school year, when hiring is also taking place, so don’t hesitate to work as a substitute immediately after graduation.

A few principals may not mind the idea of what is called “cold-calling” at a school to simply deliver a résumé and cover letter. Other administrators will not accept résumés delivered in person and will tell applicants to go to the website.

What About Job Fairs?
There are basically two types of job fairs, those where recruiters come to campuses, and those where candidates go to districts. Your college career center and the state websites can direct you to both. Campus job fairs are held well before most districts know their actual hiring needs, but you should still attend and always offer recruiters a copy of your résumé. Sometimes candidates get 5-15 minute screening interviews at campus job fairs. Recruiters are generally personnel directors and central office administrators, but may include building administrators.

At district job fairs, there are personnel directors, central office administrators, school-level administrators and teachers. You may get to talk with building-level principals and teachers in an informal setting. You may also be interviewed later in the day. Because of the economy, all employers are working to save time and money, and may interview you with a group of others who all want the same job—picture 4 candidates being interviewed by a team of 3 people. Or, you may get an individual interview with a team of teachers asking you questions. Be prepared for any type of interview in a job fair setting. Remember that the job fair is for a district, not just an individual school, so if you are at a large job fair and interview for a position, it could be for a job at any of the district’s schools.

What Do You Do When You Find a Job Opening?
Do your homework and learn everything you can about the district before you apply for a job, attend its job fair, or sit down for an interview. Once you find a job opening, apply exactly as the advertisement instructs. Follow their directions explicitly to ensure a chance at getting the job you want.

Because of teacher retirements and student enrollments, schools will continue to hire educators. As the educator job market becomes more and more competitive, the jobs will go to those who are fully qualified and have worked diligently on their job search and interview skills. Using a college career center, online resources, and networks that you develop will increase your chances of locating a desirable teaching position and winning a job interview.

Dr. Mary C. Clement is a professor of teacher education at Berry College, northwest of Atlanta, Georgia. Her research on the hiring of new teachers has received national recognition. She is the author of “The Definitive Guide to Getting a Teaching Job” and “First Time in the High School Classroom.” Both books are available via the NEA Bookstore powered by Barnes&Noble.com.

Continue reading to learn more: 

• Part 2: Get Your Paperwork in Order: Résumés, Portfolios, References and More
• Part 3: Crack the Interview Code
• Part 4: From Job Fairs to Phone Chats: Know Your Interview Venue
• Part 5: Be the Job Candidate You Want to Be