Combining traditional academic job search methods with a more focused search targeting online educational institutions yields the best results when looking for online teaching jobs. A potential candidate should think about what they’re looking for in an online teaching job because it will affect where and how they start their search. Traditional educational institution jobs, on average, pay better but are more difficult to come by and place greater demands on an instructor. Candidates should recognize that, as with any academic job, they will need to apply to a number of institutions in order to have a reasonable chance of being hired.
The traditional approach to finding work as an academic begins with a search of publications aimed at academic professionals, both those that focus on specific fields and those that are more general. The Chronicle of Higher Education is a major clearinghouse for all types of academic jobs. When looking through these publications’ job listings, candidates looking for online teaching jobs should pay close attention to each listing, as schools frequently combine multiple positions into a single listing and combine online, hybrid, and purely physical positions into a single listing.
Institutions that specialize in online education, especially for-profit institutions, may not advertise through these channels. A candidate should actively seek out potential employers when looking for work with such an institution. These organizations typically have a strong online presence, which can be beneficial to job seekers looking for work. Community colleges and other small institutions don’t always have the resources or personnel to actively recruit candidates. It may be worthwhile to look for job openings on the websites of these schools.
Pay, stability, and the demands placed on an instructor’s time vary greatly among online teaching jobs. Professorial positions at major universities tend to pay better but require more time from the instructor. These jobs are also the most stable and predictable, making them the best choice for someone looking for a traditional career. Jobs with institutions that focus primarily on delivering content via the Internet pay less well but offer more flexibility, especially in terms of scheduling, and may be ideal online teaching jobs for professionals who want to do some teaching.
Because the academic job market is so tight around the world, all academic jobs are hotly contested. As a result, anyone looking for online teaching jobs should apply to a variety of schools. Many institutions, particularly community colleges, keep a pool of resumes on hand so that they can call on potential instructors as needed. Leaving your resume on file with this type of organization may result in a job offer one or two years after you submit your application.