When trying to obtain a teaching job, your resume is vitally important. Very few people like writing resumes, as it can be tedious and tiresome. However, it is important to remember that your resume is the next thing that a prospective employer sees after your cover letter. If you have a lack-luster resume, you can jeopardize your chances of obtaining the position you desire.
When trying to obtain a special education teaching position, you need to write a quality resume that really highlights your experience and qualifications for the job. Hiring committees are looking for a reliable, knowledgeable person when hiring Special Education teachers. Here are a few key things that will ensure you write the right kind of resume for special education teaching.
Include an Objective
Job professionals seem to be divided as to whether a resume should have an objective; however, you should always include an objective in your special education teaching resume. A well written and sincere objective can demonstrate to your prospective school that you have a passion for special education. While it is widely known that it is easier to get jobs in special education because it is specialized, schools do not want to hire people who have selected the profession simply because there were strong job prospects. A special education teacher is charged with creating and implementing individual education plans to help struggling students succeed. School districts want to make sure that they select someone who can live up to this responsibility.
Be Specific
When listing your previous experience, be sure to list any specific disabilities that you have experience working with. Frequently, schools will know what types of disabilities the students in their special education student body have. They will likely want to select someone who has experience with those disabilities so that the teacher they hire is already mindful of appropriate accommodation strategies. Listing your specifics will highlight your previous experience and make you a more desirable candidate
Mention Any Special Certifications
If you hold any special certifications, be sure to mention them. Some schools look for certifications such as reading endorsements. If you hold one of these certifications but fail to mention it on your resume, you could miss out on getting the job. Make sure you don’t lose a potential job by overlooking this detail.
Use Special Education Keywords
While you don’t want your resume to be an unintelligible mess, be sure to demonstrate that you can comfortably use special education keywords by utilizing them in your resume. Remember, even administration deals with special education students, so don’t feel that you can’t mention IEP’s or 504 Plans without throwing them for a loop. If you use the terms fluidly, it will demonstrate to the hiring committee that you are comfortable with the terminology and well versed in your field.
While it is undeniably much easier to obtain a special education job, it is important to remember that getting a job is not a foregone conclusion. There are individuals who hold the qualifications necessary to teach special education and are jobless. Unless you want to be one of them, be sure to create a resume that will convince employers that you are the teacher for them.
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