It’s that time of year again — job ads for 2026 are already popping up!
If you’re on a fixed-term contract, a new grad, or simply craving a sea change, now’s the moment to start looking. And more importantly, start prepping. Here are my top tips to help you feel confident and ready:
🧭 1. Be where the jobs are:
Find out where they are advertising. e.g. If you’re looking for a role in a WA government school, make sure you’re subscribed to jobs.wa.gov.au. You can filter by location and job type and even set alerts. I’ve been signed up for years — it’s a great way to keep an eye on what’s out there, even if you’re just browsing.
📄 2. Don’t wait for the job to pop up
Update (or begin!) your resume now. Most job ads include a document outlining what needs to be covered. You can start with a template from Canva or Microsoft Word. I feel like simple, skimmable resumes are in — I added a pop of purple to mine to help it stand out (and carried that theme into my cover letter too!).
📚 3. Know what’s required in your sector
Find a job listing (even if its not for a job you want, or is for this year) and read through to learn the requirements of what you need in your application. In WA, teaching applications are usually written against the AITSL standards. You can either:
- Address each standard individually
- Use big examples that cover multiple standards
I opted for the second — it allowed me to showcase depth and connect the dots across my experience.
🖍️ 4. Start the moment a job goes live
When a job catches your eye, don’t wait. I print the advert and read through it multiple times, highlighting key phrases and requirements. This helps me tailor my application to exactly what they’re asking for.
🕵️♀️ 5. Stalk the school (nicely!)
Make sure it’s somewhere you genuinely want to work and where your values align. Check out their website, department page and social media profiles. Take notes or screenshots, especially about things mentioned in the job application. Email the contact listed in the job ad and ask for any school documents they can share — business plans, policies etc. This gets your name in front of them early and shows genuine interest, not to mention can help you tailor your application even further.
✍️ 6. Plan and write with intention
Plan out your application before writing it (yep, just like we teach in school 😉) Follow the style/structure they’ve asked for. Get someone to read over your application and give feedback. Then go back to the job ad and double-check you’ve covered everything. AI tools like ChatGPT can be super helpful here — I’ll be writing a future email about how to use AI to polish your application.
⏳ 7. Finish early, then pause
Aim to finish your application at least 24 hours before the deadline. Let it sit, then revisit with fresh eyes. Submit a few hours early (I like to do it a full day ahead) and double-check that it’s gone through. That way, if the site glitches, you’ve got time to troubleshoot.
I hope you found these tips helpful!