Every student teacher’s dream is to get employed immediately after they are done with school. But with the high rate of student graduates every year, it poses a challenge on when is the best time to get hired. So lets’ start When Should Student Teachers Apply for Jobs.
Student teachers are hired on a need basis, and they vary from one school to the others. Some teachers are hired before the rest, depending on their commitment and persistence towards the application process. Student teachers should apply for jobs when;
A few months before you graduate.
As a student-teacher, you should apply for teaching jobs four to five months before graduating. You can find these jobs advertised in your local newspaper or internet. Apply to as many jobs as you can and wait for their feedback. This feedback will take one to four weeks. If you do not receive any feedback after one month, you can take your mind off the application and keep applying to more openings.
During Spring
Student teachers should apply for jobs during spring. This is the ideal time when schools have many openings to replace the retired teachers or those who won’t be joining the school in the next year. Spring, April, May, and June are ideal times to apply for jobs as the school management has sat down and evaluated the staff they need next year.
During spring, the management or the previous staff decides if they will renew their contract or not. So for those teachers who won’t be renewing their contract, the vacancies left are advertised, and you can quickly secure a spot.
Late July
After schools resume, the administration will review which positions were able to be filled. If any vacancies are left, the administration will advertise the spots for any qualified candidate to fill in. If you have the needed skills and experience, you can quickly secure a place in any institution.
Late fall/Winter
You can have a few openings during the winter months, November-January. Some teachers may decide not to return after the winter break. Therefore, the administration will need to fill these vacancies by employing new teachers. You can quickly secure a teaching job if you are on the lookout, as few people know the openings.
January
Some schools will start to plan for the next academic year as early as late December or January. They advertise the posts early to receive as many applications as possible and have a good time selecting the best among the rest. If you learn of any vacancy in January, take your time and ensure you have whatever it takes before applying for the job.
When you hear or learn of a vacancy
Do not wait up until the selected months to apply for jobs. Most of the teaching jobs will need you to have experience, which the student teachers have little to no experience. It is advisable to apply for jobs as soon as you hear of any openings. Early applications give you a competitive advantage as the management has ample time to review your resume and conclude. Please do not wait until the last minute to send your resume, as most times, the administration has selected someone, and they are waiting or are called for an interview for more assessment. If you apply late, your resume will not be considered in most cases, even if you are by far the best with skills, expertise, and experience.
Bottom Line
As a student teacher, always keep your papers ready since you might learn of a vacancy anytime. When you have the needed experience, you have a competitive advantage when applying for jobs. When a vacancy presents itself, and you are invited for an interview, be presentable and have any necessary documents to support your application. Let the recruiters see your potential and why they should hire you.
Keep your options open and have as many network connections as possible to notify you when there is a teaching opportunity. Alternatively, you can volunteer while you wait for an opening.
FAQs
What are the things student teachers should look out for when applying for jobs
Due to the high rate of applications sent to the administration, your selection chances are minimal. To increase your chances of being selected, you should;
- Have the minimum qualifications. Ensure that the job you are applying for you are qualified and have the needed support documents to support your application
- Read and understand the job description well. When writing the cover letter, ensure that you have read and understood what your project roles are and what value you will bring to the organization.
- Apply in good time. Your application should be sent within the given time frame. To be safe, submit your application as soon as you see the advertisement to provide the administration with ample time to review your application.
Is it hard to get hired as a teacher?
Due to the high number of teacher-students in the country, getting a job isn’t always easy. You should have your foot forward and apply to as many jobs as possible. Having the necessary credentials or supporting documents will give you a competitive advantage over other applicants.
What are the tips for getting hired as a student teacher?
- Be confident. Let the recruiters see your potential. This way, they are assured that the students are in safe hands.
- Get as much experience as possible. Most of these openings will require you to have a few years of experience.
- Be patient. Do not punish yourself too much when you don’t secure a post. Stay on the lookout for more opportunities.
When is the ideal time to get a job as a student-teacher?
Every time there is an opening is the ideal time to get hired. There is no specific time for one to get a job. It would be best to stay vigilant at all times, and you could get hired.