So you've just graduated and want to start teaching as soon as possible. You have a huge mound of student debt and want to start earning a living doing what you love. While educators are in demand in many areas of the country, budget cuts have left some districts overstaffed, and thus, not hiring. To make matters worse, those that are looking to add some new talent to their schools seem to prefer experienced teachers over those that are fresh out of college. If the ink is still drying on your sheepskin, don't despair. The ideas below can help you to wow your interviewer and land your dream teaching job.

Beef Up Your Resume

Before you begin looking for jobs in your chosen location, beef up your resume. While you may not have the experience that many applicants do, highlighting your strong volunteer history, activities and organizations that you participated in during college and any internship you completed can make your resume stand out. Landing an interview is the first step to landing your dream teaching job, and your resume can be the key that you need to get you through that first door. Remember that your resume is your first introduction, so put your best foot forward and make sure that you attach a recent, professional photograph so that you can help your interviewer put "a name with a face". Make several copies of your resume on high quality paper, and save a digital version of your resume for submitting along with online applications. (Be sure to triple or quadruple check your resume for typographical errors; nothing looks worse to a potential employer than a sloppy resume).

Begin Your Search

When searching for open teaching positions, there are many routes that you can take. First off, you can visit the central office in your local school district to inquire about open positions. This information is usually available through the human resources department at the central office. You can also attend local job fairs, including virtual job fairs that may be hosted in your area. Your local newspaper is a good course for identifying teaching positions, and most school districts are required by state law to post openings in whichever newspaper has the greatest circulation in your location, although this varies from state to state. There are also a plethora of online job sites that you can use to search for teaching positions, and most states have a state department of employment website that lists jobs for teachers as well. If you are willing to relocate to procure employment as a teacher, then you can expand your search to the areas where you would be willing to move to.

Ace Your Interview

Now that you have identified jobs that interest you, you can prepare yourself for the all important interview invitations that are surely on their way. If you don't hear from a particular school district right away, be patient. Many of them put off their hiring to the very last minute, and many have last minute, unexpected job openings right before the academic year begins. (Also make a note on your resume if you are interested in substitute teaching positions that may arise during the year, should you not be hired for a full-time position right away). When preparing for your interview, get ready to answer these questions:

· How do you describe your teaching philosophy?

· How do you plan to motivate your students to learn?

· What is your classroom management strategy?

· How do you plan to communicate with parents?

· How do you handle a problem student?

Another question that is commonly asked of teachers interviewing for a position is, "What questions do you have for me?" Many interviewees will say that they have no questions. But this is a bad strategy to get the job. You do not appear to have a lot of interest in the position if you do not have any questions about the position, now do you? You might ask about class size, how many students you would be in charge of, and so forth, among others. Follow up by asking for a tour of the building to emphasize that you are interested in working there.

Be confident during your interview, and dress for success by looking like a professional. Smile. Be enthusiastic. Make eye contact. Be cheerful; the interviewer will take your disposition during the interview to be indicative of your classroom style, so be sure to shine!

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