| In most areas, teaching jobs can be very hard to | | | | you've taken the time to consider your reader, |
| come by. Oftentimes there are scores of applicants | | | | individualize your application packet, and personalize |
| for each job opening. | | | | your letter and resume. |
| Put yourself in the shoes of the administrator who | | | | 2. Use Color |
| has to fill that job opening. You have sixty application | | | | You don't need to transform your resume and cover |
| packets on your desk-- each one contains a cover | | | | letter into a tacky rainbow of colors. But a touch of |
| letter, resume, application, and certification | | | | dark green or blue in the header can add a |
| information. And it's your job to sift through it all to | | | | professional touch that will catch the eye of the |
| find the best applicants worthy of an interview. | | | | reader. It shows that you've taken the time to add a |
| After a short while, all of the applications, resumes, | | | | small professional touch that others didn't. |
| and cover letters will start to look the same. All of | | | | 3. Include Buzzwords |
| the cover letters are written of thick white paper, in | | | | As an administrator scans through resumes and |
| Times 12 font, and everyone is using the same | | | | cover letters, he/she is looking for important key |
| statements, like "All children can learn" and "I will be | | | | words that show you're committed to the school's |
| an exceptional teacher for your district." The | | | | current education plan. Emphasize your excellent |
| resumes all seem to look the same as well-- a | | | | classroom management skills, your ability to |
| bachelor's degree, a couple of student teaching | | | | differentiate lessons, and your commitment to |
| placements, and an occasional bit of experience | | | | preparing students for standardized tests. Use the |
| subbing. | | | | specific names of the school's math program, reading |
| If you want to get a teaching job, you need to | | | | program, and standardized tests on both your |
| make your resume and cover letter stand ot from | | | | resume and cover letter. Show that you can talk the |
| the rest! | | | | talk! |
| How do you do this? A few tips: | | | | Of course, a teaching resume and cover letter aren't |
| 1. Mention the Name of the School and/or Principal | | | | going to land you a job all by themselves. |
| If an administrator sees his name or the name of the | | | | A good resume and cover letter, when combined |
| school on a cover letter, he/she will notice it right | | | | with an impressive background, glowing letters of |
| away. This shows that you're serious about wanting | | | | recommendation, solid interview skills, a well-prepared |
| to work in that particular school. It shows that you've | | | | portfolio, and a true passion for teaching, will no |
| done more than run off a standard form letter-- | | | | doubt lead you to the teaching job of your dreams. |