Job prospects for teachers are looking up. If you’re a teacher on a job hunt across Canada, now has never been a better time to be a job seeker as retirements increase and enrollments for elementary and secondary are increasing in some regions (particularly in Ontario). In fact, the statistics show that as many as 50,200 new positions will be available to secondary school teachers and 97,900 new positions for primary school teachers, within a 9-year timeframe. This means school boards and districts are eager to find qualified and passionate teachers to fill their increasingly available positions. This has allowed for more opportunities for newly licensed teachers without needing multiple years of supply teaching before finding a steady classroom position. Of course, this isn’t to say those are the only candidates being sought right now. Additional Qualifications (AQ’s) and certifications remain a coveted plus. French (FSL) qualifications remain in demand with the addition of Intermediate-senior science, math teachers, as well as English language primary-junior teachers.
If you’re looking for your next education career move you may be getting confused about how exactly to navigate your path to your dream job in education. That’s why we’ve compiled our best tips in this post to help you or even give you a whole new opportunity to broaden your horizons.
Here are some of our tips to get you started on a successful job hunt in 2022:
- Choose a specific area of education
Let’s start with the basics and narrow down the job you want to search for. Education is a big industry with lots of options. There are several opportunities open in the different areas within the teaching field, such as early childhood education, elementary school, high school, and special education You can also apply your skills in a non-classroom-based role: it could be a student support or counseling role, or you could also work in administration as a vice principal/principal or consultant to other teachers. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you organize your job search and narrow it down to the available jobs that best fit your interests. This might sound simple, but it can get a bit overwhelming to see all the different teaching areas that have available positions, so making sure you are entering the right section of a job board will save you time and make it easier for you to get one step closer to your dream job.
- Shake the dust off your qualifications
Apart from your teaching degree, it is important to ensure your resume highlights your AQ (Additional Qualifications) and any other certifications or courses you have completed. Having this gives you an edge over the crowd. For instance, if you took a course or workshop that provided you with skills in mathematics or literacy, this is the time to show them off, it will set you apart from other candidates. There are some jobs that also require specific qualifications or additional training, so having them will always help you be better prepared to apply for that role.
- Search for jobs on a teaching board
Once you have your qualifications ready, the search for your desired teaching job begins. With the right teaching job boards, finding the perfect job in your preferred teaching career path is now a possibility for you, with just a few clicks. Make sure to look for the positions you are qualified for and keep an open mind when looking through the options. Be sure to highlight your qualities, passions, certificates, and qualifications while also projecting a professional and confident image. The best way to ensure you are coming across the right way is through a well-curated resume.
- Customize your resume and cover letter for your application
Let’s picture this scenario: you used an education job search board and found a teaching job you like. Great! But now you need to write your resume and a convincing cover letter that gets you the job. Use the job posting to direct your cover letter and resume and don’t forget to show your teaching experience, certifications, licenses, and anything else that makes you a uniquely qualified candidate. Highlight the experience you have and why you are passionate about teaching. A good balance between a formal tone with a true passion for your career can go a long way. If you don’t have much experience in teaching just yet, don’t worry, you are not the only one. Emphasize your practicum or practice teaching placements, volunteer experience, educational background, and anything you have done that shows the skills needed to be a great teacher.
- Complete the interview
After the application, there is one more step before you earn yourself that job. It’s the interview. When you are preparing for the interview ensure you review the job posting, print it out, and highlight the key responsibilities. Be prepared to talk about examples of when you have done this or similar situations you have experienced. Practice your answers and if the employer provides you with the interview questions, be sure to review them and practice your answers. Get a good sleep the night before, dress to impress, and remember to breathe and have fun. The right role is out there for you! If you are successful in the interview the school or school board will notify you of what the next steps are.
Like any other field, you need to put in some work to land a teaching job. However, half of the work is finding a position you qualify for and are excited about. Job boards like Jobs in Education help to give you access to potential employers in the education field. You can find a teaching position that’s a good fit for you and then take all the other steps we’ve discussed to nail the job.
