How do I Teach at Community College?

To teach at community college, you will usually need a master’s degree at minimum in the subject you want to teach. You will also need to meet the other minimum qualifications for the job, which may vary from college to college. Since you will likely have to submit a resume and cover letter as part of the application process, reviewing them to make sure they are tailored to the position may help. Presenting a good image at a job interview may help as well.

The degree requirements you’ll have to meet to teach at community college will depend on the particular college to which you want to apply. In most cases, however, you will need a master’s degree to secure a teaching position with a community college. Some job candidates that apply for community college teaching positions may have doctorates of philosophy (PhDs), however, which may make them more attractive job candidates.

Before you apply to teach at community college, you may do well to carefully review the other qualifications of the position. While you may feel tempted to apply for a position for which you do not meet all the requirements, this is usually not the best course of action. Many human resource departments weed out applications submitted by people who do not read the application descriptions or follow instructions. In most cases, human resource representatives will simply discard your application if you do not meet the job requirements.

Reviewing your resume and carefully crafting a cover letter may also help when you are applying to teach at community college. Your resume may get the most positive attention if it focuses on the qualifications that are relevant to the job. As such, if your resume is currently focused on the qualifications you have for another type of job, you may do well to revise it before you submit it as part of the application process.

The cover letter you submit for a teaching position at a community college should usually provide information about the qualifications you have for the job. In most cases, however, it should not repeat the information found in your resume. Instead, you may use your cover letter to highlight the most relevant of your qualifications and creatively stimulate a hiring representative’s interest in learning more about you. Since obvious errors on your resume or cover letter are unlikely to help you in applying for a teaching position, you may benefit from asking a friend or family member to proofread them for you.

Interviews are also a part of the job application process when you want to teach at community college. To enjoy the best chance of securing the position you want, it is best to arrive at least a few minutes early for your interview and dress professionally. Presenting a confident-yet-friendly demeanor and looking your interviewer in the eye may help you secure the job. Sending a thank-you letter also may help you keep your name fresh in an interviewer's mind as he reviews your application documents.