Landing a Music Teaching Job | Tips. Tricks, & Templates

 How do you land a job teaching music?

There is a critical teacher shortage, yet somehow it is really hard to get a good job.  How does that happen?   

Sites

Loads of sites are available for job, but it is unreasonable to think you could possibly search all of them.  Looking for a job is a full-time job in and of itself!  

• ILMEA
• K12 Job Spot
• Indeed
• Glassdoor

Put in search options that speak to the job you want.  Are you looking for a gig that is all remote?  Might you be willing to travel?  Do you have a passion for band but are willing to settle for orchestra?  Are your strengths in vocal ensembles or wee ones?  

When on these sites, you'll need to upload your resume and often times cover letters or references.  There are also free sites that will help you make a resume, though from my experience, there's usually a hidden cost or required email.    So, instead I made my own templates that have helped me, my friends, siblings, & fellow teachers land their perfect jobs!

Resume Appearance 

Long gone are the days when you need to list every single accomplishment yet simultaneously keep your resume to a single page.  The current trend is to have an eye catching, organized, and clean resume that is informational but not overwhelming or cluttered.  While many hiring committees prefer a single page, it is not a requirement.

Some tried & true tips will help your resume stand out:

• You are special, let your name stand out
• Include contact information
• Highlight most recent work experience first
• Use impactful verbs
• Select skills that align with the job's mission or job posting.
• For goodness sake, proofread!
• Elevate with fonts, bullet points, & bold areas

I read that nearly 70% hiring managers spend less than 2 minutes, and nearly 20% don't even spend 1 minute skimming your resume.  The aesthetics matter, so it behooves you to use a template with teachers in mind.

Cover Letter

I've applied to many education jobs that ask me to use Applitrack and ultimately never require a cover letter.  

However, I've never landed a job without using a cover letter, so my vote is to use a cover letter.  Resume Go says nearly 90% of cover letters are read!

Resumes are like first glances.  The goal is to try to avoid being forgotten and unnoticed.  Cover letters, however, are much more like a handshake.

They give the reader a bit more of a sense of who you are, your level of education, your views, and whether or not you have done your research about their school.  

• Elaborate on key areas mentioned in your resume.
• Greet people by name when possible
• Explain why you are mission appropriate, how you will serve their population, & meet their school needs
• Offer insight on employment gaps or personal connections to a school or district

References

This part can be tricky.  

How do you ask for a cover letter from a current employer without raising alarms?  Do you ask a fellow teacher and risk that they might feel obligated to say something to your mutual boss?  Do you ask trusted parents to write on your behalf?

In short, yes.  Do those things.  Do those hard things, but select your references wisely.  

It is polite to request a letter with ample time and follow up shortly before a letter is due.  They can also share the letter with you via Google Drive so that you can upload it digitally with ease.  And lastly, say thank you.  

Interview

Alright, so you've landed the oh-so-elusive interview.  We all know the basics, right?

• Shake hands
• Make eye contact
• Dress & act professionally
• Bring a copy of your materials
• Arrive ahead of time
• Silence your phone

Now comes the fun part:

• Demonstrate why you love teaching (Show, not tell, right?!)
• Highlight your strengths, aligning with the school's goals & needs
• Answer honestly and thoughtfully
• Share the best of yourself so that they want you on their team, for their students, and as a colleague. 
• Communicate your growth mindset through examples both tangible & anecdotal. 
• Prepare questions for the interviewers

It takes hours of practice before you perform, right?  Consider all those jobs you didn't land as rehearsals because the performance will be worth it - and so are you!

Musically,

Jaime