Tips on how to find a job in music education

If you are just starting out, looking to relocate, or maybe even desiring a change, there are many resources to help with finding a job as a music educator. The information below covers topics ranging from resume writing to locating openings and interviewing, so hopefully it will help to make the "pavement pounding" easier. Good luck!

Getting Started

• A Career Guide for Music Education - This online source starts at the very beginning of the job search, and includes guidance on graduate school, resumes, interviews, and more.
• Finding Your First Job as a Public School Music Teacher  - This article provides helpful information about finding a job, and then deciding if it's the job you want.
• Preparing to Teach Music in Today's Schools - Articles about student teaching, finding a job, and the first year of teaching.
• 7 Job-Hunting Tips - An article from the Future Teachers Network

Job Listing Sites

• MENC Online Job Center - Job seekers can peruse national and international job openings free of charge. As a benefit of membership, MENC members can post their qualifications in a free database, accessible by the employers that have posted the job ads.
• MENC Federated State Associations - These associations often post job openings within their states on their Web sites.
• Education America - This site allows you to search for jobs within a state, post your resume, and read about job fairs.
• New England Conservatory Career Services Center - NEC provides a helpful online Career Center, with handouts, workshops, job bulletins, and an "advice columnist." This site requires a sign-up fee.
• State Boards/Departments of Education - The State Departments or Boards of Education are reliable sources of information about job openings. Many of their Web sites have employment sections, and are relatively easy to find online using search engines. The departments are also typically listed in the Government section of the phone book.
• You may also find job openings advertised in your local paper.
   

Networking

• MENC Mentors – Talking to others is often one of the best resources. Expert mentors are available to answer your questions on the MENC Forums from September through May, and other MENC members also give feedback. You might want to read through some of these postings to get an idea of what's going on in classrooms today.
• Visit the MENC Events page for information about upcoming events for music educators.
• The MENC Federated State Association Conferences are listed on the MENC Federated State Association page.