Preparing To Apply For Teaching Jobs In Texas

If you’re about to embark on a career in education, the good news is, teachers are in high demand in Texas.

However, while there are many open positions, the application process can be time-consuming and a little overwhelming since each district typically has its own hiring process in place. 

Before you begin, it’s a good idea to know what’s required of you, as well as what you should include in your resume before sending it off to potential employers. These two steps can save you a lot of time and are important initial steps in the application process.

Below, we’ll provide some tips you should know before you apply, as well as what materials you need to gather and the procedures most school districts use when taking applicants. 

Know The Requirements

If you’re ready to apply for teaching jobs in Texas, or are doing some research in anticipation of a career change to education, it’s a good idea to make sure you have met all the state requirements before you apply for a position.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires teachers to be certified in certain subjects or for a specific set of grades. Which subjects or grades you want to teach will determine which set of certification exams (known as Texas Examinations of Educator Standards, or TExES) you must pass to teach in the state. 

While nearly a third of teachers are prepared through undergraduate programs, nearly 50% of all new teachers come from alternative education programs. 

These alternative programs are convenient for individuals who want to get their certification as a post-baccalaureate option or with some education and career experience. Even if you don’t have a degree, you can still qualify for an alternative certification program with work experience.

School districts may have additional requirements you must complete to apply for a position or upon hiring. Private and charter schools, for example, may set their own guidelines for employment and teacher requirements. 

Craft An Attention-Getting Resume

First impressions are critical. That’s why crafting a resume that grabs the attention of a principal or hiring committee is a must before you begin applying.

Principals aren’t going to spend an hour - likely not even a few minutes - pouring over your resume. Most principals will spend about 10 seconds initially scanning your resume to see if it warrants a closer look. Resume experts offer an even bleaker view, with many advising that you’ll be lucky to get an average of 6 seconds before a hiring manager decides whether to trash your resume or keep it for further review. 

Your resume should clearly say “I am legally employable,” meaning you must show you are certified to teach in Texas or are on the path to certification. Your resume should have a style and substance that convinces a principal that “you want to hire me.”

So, how do you do that? Our article, How To Create A Resume For A Texas Teaching Job, explains in more detail what you should do to make a powerful first impression in this part of the application process. 

In the meantime, here are a few tips to remember:

• A resume summary statement is one of the most effective ways to stand out in your job search. This provides an overview of your work experience and why you’re the best candidate.
• Keep your resume to one page. Don’t waste the principal’s 10 seconds (maybe 6) flipping through your resume looking for key points.
• List the subject test(s) you have passed in Texas that makes you eligible to teach.
• Highlight your education, whether you have a bachelor’s degree in education or you are pursuing/have earned an alternative certification program.
• Pick a style. If your resume is a hodgepodge of different styles and fonts, it won’t leave a good first impression.
• Proofread, and have someone else proofread again. Nothing will land a resume in the trash can faster than spelling and grammatical errors.

Don’t forget your cover letter as well. Many districts require you to submit a cover letter when applying for a job. Our article, Tips For Writing A Great Texas Teacher Cover Letter, shares great advice on how to stay professional while hooking administrators by giving them a glimpse into your personality or style.

Gather Your Materials

Because the application process can take some time, you can make the process go more smoothly if you gather your materials in advance.

Here are some items you should have readily available when applying for a teaching position:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Specific dates of employment (if not included in your resume, so you can easily access them)
• Academic history, including your GPA
• Professional references (up to 3, including names, work and home phone numbers, and email addresses)
• Proof of Texas state certification or enrollment in a certification program 

You may not need all these materials for every application, but having this information easily accessible will make applying go much more quickly. There may be instances where a resume is not needed, but you must fill in an online form with much of the same information found on a resume.

Follow District Procedures

Each school district typically has its own procedures to follow when applying for a teaching position. While some may offer job seekers the opportunity to apply online, others may still require a hard copy submitted to the human resources department. 

Whether online or through snail mail, the application process often involves several steps, beginning with the application and ending with an interview (often more than one). 

If you apply online through a district’s hiring portal, you’ll have to create a username and password, so make sure you keep track of this information so you can follow up on the status of your application.

Before you go to your interview make sure you read our article, How To Answer The Top 4 Toughest Interview Questions For Teachers, so that you’re prepared for this next step in the application process. 

In the end, preparation is the key to giving yourself the best shot at landing a job.