Writing a cover letter and CV for NZ teaching jobs

Finding jobs

• The Education Gazette vacancies list is the main place NZ schools advertise. Set up searches by region, sector and role.
• Check school websites and local networks too, especially for relief and short fixed-term roles.
• Read the job pack: job description, person specification and how to apply. Many schools have their own application form you must complete in addition to your letter and CV.
• Note the closing date and time. Late applications are often not considered.

Fixed-term and permanent roles

Many beginning teachers start in a fixed-term role, for example covering parental leave or a one-year position. Fixed-term roles are a good way into a school and can lead to permanent roles. Apply for both. Check whether the role is at least 0.5 FTTE if you need it to count towards your induction and mentoring (see provisional to full certification).

What principals skim for

• Registration and practising certificate status, near the top.
• Year levels, subjects or NCEA levels you can teach, and your placements.
• Evidence you have read the advert and know their school.
• Specific examples, not adjectives. ‘Passionate and hard-working’ tells them nothing.
• Anything else you bring: sport, kapa haka, music, a second language, outdoor education, digital skills.
• Clear, error-free writing. You will be writing reports to whānau.

Cover letter structure

Keep it to one page, addressed to the principal by name, with the role title and reference number in the subject line.

1. Opening (2–3 sentences). The role you are applying for, your qualification and certificate status, and one specific reason you want this school.
2. Your teaching (one paragraph). One example from a placement or job that shows how you teach, ideally linked to a priority in the advert or their strategic plan.
3. Fit with the school (one paragraph). Connect your experience to their values, community or programmes. Mention something specific from their ERO report, website or job pack.
4. What else you offer (2–3 sentences). Extra-curricular, skills or experiences relevant to the school.
5. Close. Thank them and say you would welcome the chance to discuss the role. Sign off with ‘Kind regards’ or ‘Yours sincerely’.

A one-paragraph version of your teaching philosophy strengthens most cover letters. The free teaching philosophy statement tool helps you draft it, then cut it to the two or three sentences that fit this school.

Example opening

‘I am applying for the Year 5–6 fixed-term position (ref 1234) advertised in the Education Gazette. I graduated this year with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary), hold a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate, and completed my final placement in a Year 5–6 class. Your focus on structured literacy in your strategic plan matches the approach I used on placement, where I…’

CV structure

Two pages is usually enough for a graduate.

1. Contact details (name, phone, email, town). No photo, date of birth or marital status needed.
2. Registration: teacher registration number and certificate type.
3. Qualifications with institution and year.
4. Teaching experience: each placement or role with school, year levels or subjects, dates and two or three specific achievements.
5. Other work experience relevant to teaching (coaching, tutoring, youth work, teacher aide).
6. Skills: te reo Māori, other languages, digital tools, first aid, coaching, music.
7. Professional learning you have completed.
8. Referees (see below).

Referees

• Choose two or three people who have seen you teach: your final placement associate teacher, a visiting lecturer, or a principal you have relieved for.
• Ask permission before you list them, and send them the job advert so they know what to talk about.
• Include their role, school, phone and email.
• Expect schools to carry out safety checks, including police vetting and identity checks, before you start.

Tailoring each application

A generic letter is easy to spot. For each application, spend 20 minutes on these steps:

1. Highlight every requirement in the person specification.
2. Match each one to a line in your letter or CV that shows it, and add one if it is missing.
3. Find one specific thing about the school (a programme, a value, a priority in its ERO report) and connect it to your experience.
4. Reorder your CV so the most relevant placement or experience comes first.

Before you send

• Check you have changed the school name everywhere. Sending a letter with the wrong school name is a common reason for rejection.
• Save as PDF and name the files clearly (Firstname-Lastname-Cover-Letter.pdf).
• Complete every part of the school's application form, even if it repeats your CV.
• Ask someone to proofread for spelling and typos.

Shortlisted? Read our teaching interview tips next.