A couple of things I've learned as I see new candidates applying for open positions are not to call the principals directly. Often times an applicant will call the school directly and ask for the principal to talk about an open position. This may seem proactive, but many times they are calling during school hours when things are busy and can seem inconsiderate.
My tip is if you are going to call, call after school hours or ask to leave a voice mail. Principals are usually not available during the day so they are more likely to respond after hours. You can also email with your resume and a short message. Email would be my suggestion!

Many districts are also having teacher job fairs. If a district that you are interested in is having a teacher job fair, GO! You are probably guaranteed face time and can drop off your resume and speak with district administration directly.

Take time to carefully construct your resume and cover letter! Review the job description and highlight relevant experiences, using strong action verbs to emphasize key accomplishments. Mention what you know about the school's mission, values, and any specific that resonate with you.

**Extra tip:** When asked, "Tell me about yourself," remember it's not an invitation to share your entire life story. Instead, use it as your sales pitch. Explain why you chose this profession, your relevant background, how your experiences make you a great fit for the job, what you will bring to the team and how you align with the school's mission and values.

Don’t get discouraged. It is a process. I would recommend looking carefully at each position offered and do your research. Be confident in what you can and cannot do. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is an important area of growth. I would also recommend not turning a strength into a weakness like, “One of my weaknesses is that I care too much”. Be yourself.

Our area often includes an approach similar to: elementary position available .. and several applicants interview and become part of a pool. The district then chooses which applicant fits best in a specific grade etc so I always advise folks to think about how they would approach, strategically, a general interview like this.