Timing is Everything: When Should Teachers Start Applying for Jobs?

Toni Marek -

If you're an educator, you know the significance of timing. Whether it's lesson planning, classroom management, or parent-teacher meetings, timing is crucial. But what about timing your job search? You might be wondering, "When is the best time to start applying for teaching positions?" We've got your back with this comprehensive guide!

Why Does Timing Matter?

Let's get right to the point: Timing matters. A lot. Starting your job search too late can mean missing out on the perfect opportunity. On the other hand, jumping in too early might not give you a clear picture of all your options.

Key Takeaway:

🔑 Schools often start their recruitment early to secure top talent, so the sooner you dive in, the better your chances.

So, When Should You Start?

The Early Bird Catches the Top Jobs

  • Fall (September - November): A bit early? Maybe. But some schools are already looking at the year ahead.
  • Winter (December - February): This is when many schools hit the 'refresh' button post-holiday and ramp up recruitment efforts.
  • Spring (March - May): You're in the thick of it now. This is peak season, people!

Key Takeaway:

🔑 Spring is high-season for teaching job applications. But don't discount the early months; some schools are ahead of the game. Start your search EARLY. Reach out to schools as soon as you can! With Selected, you can find schools in 150+ locations, so start exploring your options today.

Keep School Types in Mind

  • Public Schools: Often bureaucratic, with a longer hiring process.
  • Charter/Private Schools: Generally more flexible and might offer rolling positions.

Key Takeaway:

🔑 Know the type of school you're aiming for and adjust your timing accordingly.

Specialize to Maximize

  • Have experience in Special Education or STEM? Good news — there's a year-round demand for your skills!

The Stats Don't Lie

📊 Are you skilled in Special Education or STEM? You're in good company—nearly 40% of teachers on Selected have expertise in these in-demand areas.

Wrap Up

Timing your job search can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be. The sooner you start, the better your options. Still not sure where to begin? We're here to assist.

👉 At Selected, we specialize exclusively in education-sector roles. You get 24/7 access to 42 different roles—from teaching to office staff to leadership positions, all within K-12 settings including charter, public, independent, and religious schools. With us, you're not just another resume—you're a highly-qualified candidate among a pool of dedicated professionals. Say goodbye to irrelevant job offers and hello to a focused, education-centric job search.

Visit GetSelected.com to kickstart your teaching career with the right timing. Because when it comes to your career, timing is—well, you know—everything.

About Selected

At Selected, our mission is to improve schools’ access to qualified, diverse, and relevant teachers — and we’re trusted by more than 25,000 pre-vetted, actively seeking educators and 1,600+ PK-12 public and private schools who use Selected to optimize their hiring process and get discovered by right-fit candidates.

For more information about how to find pre-vetted international candidates on Selected’s platform, contact our team at hello@getselected.com.