Your resume or CV should have a clean, reader-friendly format with up-to-date information. Include your identifying information at the top, types of certifications with endorsements and certificate numbers, teaching experiences with job titles, locations and related experiences.

Also, having a portfolio can give you an extra edge during the interview. In your portfolio, include your teaching philosophy and evidence of work that you have completed.

Education Week surveyed a group of teachers for advice on obtaining a teaching career. When applying for a job, it is more personable to drop off your application in person and introduce yourself to an administrator, if possible. This puts a face with a name.

As far as being persistent, send out resumes monthly so you are less likely to be forgotten

Your disruptive cover letter should be formal, addressed to the person responsible for hiring with the appropriate title and his or her name (Mr., Mrs., etc).  Make the cover letter personal, so that it expresses your enthusiasm and passion for the teaching profession.

Make it clear that you are knowledgeable about the school that you are applying to and sincerely desire to work there.

The Guardian emphasizes that your application be neat and thorough. Since teachers should be technologically literate, type your application, unless you are specifically asked to hand-write it. Make sure all of your employment history dates are correct and

that you do not leave any gaps.  If you have gaps in your employment history, explain why.

The teachers surveyed by Education Week offered the following tips: – Study the school where you are interviewing and practice mock interviews with peers or family members. – Dress professionally and express your gratitude for being given the interview opportunity.

– While you should be prepared to answer a variety of questions, be sincere with your answers so you do not sound rehearsed. – Most importantly, be yourself and let your passion show.