Teacher job fairs can open doors to your next role in education. While most take place during the prime hiring season between February and April, many universities also host events in the fall—giving students a long runway to secure jobs and schools a chance to lock in top talent early. These events are an opportunity to learn about districts, meet school representatives, and grow your professional network. Here’s how to make the most of them.
Establish Your Game Plan
Before setting foot in the fair, you should have a few things taken care of: be dressed professionally, have print-outs of your resume and have a notepad and pen for taking notes. Also remember to eat beforehand and stay hydrated so you’re at your best.
Arrive knowing which schools or districts you want to spend time with. This means reviewing the attendee list (usually available on the fair’s website) and prioritizing the schools that interest you. Research each school’s mission, student demographics, and unique programs or initiatives. This prep will help you ask thoughtful, specific questions and focus your time wisely.
When you arrive, scan the room or consult a map to plot your course throughout the venue. Plan to spend about 10 minutes with each of your priority schools, and leave room to stop by unfamiliar booths—you may discover an unexpected opportunity.
Engage Meaningfully
Approach each conversation with two goals: sharing who you are and discerning whether the school aligns with your values. Every school has strengths; the key is identifying whether those strengths match what motivates and supports you in doing your best work. Come prepared with your elevator pitch and school-specific questions to help you recognize if the school could be a good fit for you.
The people you engage with might be your future colleagues or boss, so approach them cordially and be yourself. Let them get a sense of who you are and how you might contribute to their school’s culture. Share your resume during the conversation so they can connect your name and story with your application.
After each interaction, jot down notes of the experience and the name of the person you spoke with. Give a quick rating (say, 1 to 5) of how you felt about the school. Record highlights, lowlights and anything you’d like to follow up on. After talking with lots of representatives, your memories of each school can get hazy. These notes will be invaluable later on when you consider next steps.
After you’ve visited your prioritized schools, see what else is out there. Walk the floor, read the messages on display, and chat with fellow candidates about their impressions. Aim to learn about at least two or three additional schools to broaden your options and comparison points.
Follow Through
Within 24 hours of attending the fair, take some time to review your notes and reflect on what stood out to you. You might eliminate schools from consideration if their mission does not align with your priorities. But in general, it’s helpful to keep an open mind and follow-through professionally with all the contacts you made. Even if you’re not seeing the right opportunity right now, you’re building your reputation and your network.
Since recruiters meet dozens of candidates in a single day, following up promptly keeps you top of mind and demonstrates interest. Send a personalized email thanking the representative for their time. Reference something specific from your conversation and reiterate how you can contribute to the success of their school. If you have not already applied for a position at the school, complete that application now.
Job fairs aren’t just about landing a position—they’re about making connections, learning what districts value, and building confidence in how you present yourself. With preparation, professionalism, and a little strategy, you’ll walk away with new opportunities and stronger direction for your job search.
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