I just graduated in May and I've been looking for a teaching job. I must have applied to well over 100 jobs and haven't gotten a single call back to interview...NOTHING. I know my references are good and I have great letters of recommendation, so I don't know what the problem is. I'm getting discouraged and depressed because the summer is ending, and I know if I don't hear something by August, then I probably won't have a job. I'm also upset because the other student teacher who taught at the same school I was at got offered a second grade job, and I never even got asked for an interview. I know my reviews were better than hers. And I even know she had got written up for inappropriate dress one day. I just don't get it. Can anyone offer me some advice? Teaching is my passion and I'm afraid I'm going to wind up having to get a lousy retail job if I don't find a teaching job.
The other student teacher may have had an "in" somewhere that you don't have. It's not fair, but it happens. Have someone you trust, but who can be honest, look over your résumé and letter of introduction; you can't afford a single mistake and you have to stand out. I hope some of the Texas teachers will pop in and have some ideas for you. In some areas in some states hiring is just starting; it's a long time until school starts. I was lucky and got hired early (quite a few years ago), but I got calls from other districts through October! Numbers change, things happen. Good luck!
How long have you been applying? I'm finding it takes 1-2 weeks after the posting closes to be contacted for an interview.
Keep your chin up! I was in the same boat as you were last year. I had been looking for a position from Feb-November. Finally I was hired mid-November for a teacher that decided after 6 weeks that they job "just wasn't what she thought it would be" This did mean that I had to up and move 300 miles from home on very short notice! Keep applying. I also went on quite a few interviews only to be told that they were going with someone with more experience. I don't know what part of TX you from, but the Houston/Pasadena/Clear Lake area has tons of openings still. I would also email the principals at the schools where you are applying. I got 2 interviews this way. While I didn't get the jobs, it was still great experience. Also check charter schools, that is where I started.
I've been waiting for three years. If you just graduated in May, think about going back and getting certified in other areas. I got called for an interview last month but I was on vacation---it mad me so sad! If you don't have your masters degree, go and start that. Not to be rude, but don't expect to obtain a teaching job if you just graduated last month. It's not easy to find a job. You need to be patience. Since you do have time on your hand, think about getting back into school building your certification areas.
I'm not sure what Texas is like, but by me there have been so many experienced teachers let go due to budget cuts. I'm talking hundreds from single districts. New teachers are competing against experienced teachers for jobs, and often losing the job to them. Try posting your resume and cover letter on the job seekers board to be looked over. It helped me a lot! Also-the summer isn't over yet..you still have time! A lot of jobs go unfilled until closer to the start of the year.
What part of Texas do you live in? I teach in a charter school, and we are still looking for a couple of teachers for next year since we are expanding. I believe 1 for second, 1 for fourth, and 1 ESL. Consider applying to charter schools too if you haven't already. When I was hired last summer, I applied through schoolspring.com on a whim, and it materialized into such an awesome job, teaching some of the most awesome third graders!
I don't know about Texas, but here, many (not all) principals wait until they "officially" return to school (2 weeks prior to students) to even interview candidates. I wouldn't get discouraged until late October or so, because that's when school populations shake out, and it is known if some schools need extra teachers.
The first thing I would do is revamp your resume and cover letter! They won't even look at your contacts & letters of recommendation if they don't like these two items. Heck, they won't even look at your resume if your cover letter doesn't peek their interest! Second, when possible, hand deliver your application. It gets you on their radar. Don't forget to dress professionally when doing so! Third, are you contacting as follow-up? A week or so after sending in your information or shortly after the close date, give them a call and see what's up. Again, it gets your name on their radar. Last, hang in there...if it's meant to be it will be! A year of subbing isn't the end of the world and may give you that leg up in experience and get your name out there. I didn't get my first job until one week before school started. Lots of things can still open up in those last few weeks!
Don't get discouraged, it is early in the scheme of things. I hesitate to tell you this, but I applied for four years before I was hired! I live in a small area and there aren't a surplus of teaching jobs. I started working on an LD endorsement as I knew that would get me more options. Good luck
First, it is only June 17. There is still a lot more hiring of teachers left in most districts. I can tell you how I got hired. I went to every school in my best suit with a resume and a letter of recommendation from student teaching. I would drop it off at every school. They all said they weren't hiring, but soon the phone started ringing with interviews. Not too later one turned into a job offer. I recommended this to a friend and she went one step farther. She put together a binder of pictures of herself helping her students in student-teaching. She got dressed up and went from school to school. She called and told me she got hired within 2 weeks. This was during a recession. The job market is tough and P's get very busy. They don't always take time to pour through 100's of applications. Sounds like you are someone willing to go the extra mile. I'd recommend to do just that. Good luck to you.
To add onto what has already been mentioned ... I know that all of our schools are closed until mid-July, so that's why applicants may not hear anything. It sucks to be in a holding pattern but I would suggest broadening your options and looking at districts that you may have not given any thought to. Positions open up as schools start to get a sense of class sizes, which may mean starting after the start of the school year.
Every year, we hire about 10 new teachers during the first month of school. They're considered "overflow" classes comprised of students who enroll late. Not an ideal situation for teachers or students, but it's a job (and most importantly--a foot in the door).
You might want to think about teaching in a private school if you can't find a position in public schools. Before I even tried getting into public schools, I joined a private school company and I have found two great positions through them. I've been satisfied with my experience in private school and I'll be starting my 6th year as a private school teacher in September
They do this by me too. Teachers that are leaving don't have to say anything until a certain day (about a month before we start up again.) A lot of time people just purposely don't say anything until then so the principal is left hanging to make hiring decisions. I definitely wouldn't get discouraged yet. So many people- including myself got their start in the middle of the year. So if you don't get a job to start the year- keep going. Here people leave mid-year all the time. Also, as others may have mentioned sometimes it is about who you know. The most valuable resource for me was college professors. A lot of them have professional relationships with principals in my area from setting up students to student teach and doing recommendations and stuff like that. That's how I got my interview. My principal has never met my professor but she has sooo much respect for him because he's sent her lots of applicants who she's loved. When I mentioned him I got a demo lesson right away and was hired the next day. I know it was my demo lesson that got my job- she's told me that. But my professor got me in the door.
July has always been that "magic" month for me. Every job offer I've ever had has been in July. Mid to late July at that. You've got time yet before panicking.
