Timeline for a Job Search
Most teaching jobs begin in August/September, with the new school year. This timeline is designed for those jobs.
| Month |
To Do |
| December/January |
Finalize your resume and cover letter(s).
|
| February |
Spring student teachers: begin mailing resume/cover letters to suburban school districts.
|
| February/March |
Spring student teachers: complete job applications for suburban districts before you begin student teaching; fall & winter student teachers: begin mailing resumes/cover letters to suburbs; attend suburban job fairs.
|
| April |
Suburban districts assess staffing needs and review applications; suburban districts begin interviewing.
|
| May |
Chicago Public Schools and Catholic/private schools begin assessing staffing needs.
|
| June |
Spring student teachers: send updated resume to suburbs; all student teachers: follow up with phone calls; suburban districts make offers. Chicago Public Schools and Catholic/private schools begin interviewing; make offers.
|
| July |
A down time. Some principals/hiring authorities take vacation. Keep following up.
|
| August |
Last minute vacancies open. Principals are back at work and begin receiving calls from teachers who are not returning. Keep following up. Many first year teachers get their jobs during this time!
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Following Up
Keep in Touch
Once you have applied to a school/district (online or on paper), contact them to see where they are in the hiring process. Try to speak to the principal, department head, or personnel director.
Keep Track
Keep a log of which school you called, to whom you spoke, and what they said. If you're still available in late summer, you should be calling all the schools you're interested in about once a week.
Assume They Don't Have Your Resume
Always have copies of your resume on hand, ready to drop off, fax, email, or mail.
Don't Give Up
It's very typical for first year teachers to land their jobs in late summer. Keep following up until someone hires you.
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