Resumes are used for marketing products—and the product is job seekers!
Picture the recruiting process like a sale. The person who is recruiting (hiring) is the buyer, and you are the actual product.
To start selling the product, you need to create a strong advertisement that describes the benefits of purchasing. Just like the packaging of a product attracts a shopper’s attention, your resume and cover letter must catch the reader’s interest.
Prove the ROI
When you are writing your resume, you are using it to market yourself to a prospective school; for this reason, you need to show the return on investment. What will the school get by hiring you for a certain position? When creating your resume, ask yourself questions similar to the following:
Did you…
– spearhead a new method, lesson, or program?
– pilot a program or head a leadership initiative?
– turnaround at-risk students’ progress?
– troubleshoot a major problem?
– increase student achievement?
These questions will definitely depend on the position you are seeking, but this should give you an idea of accomplishments to put in your resume. Think of it this way, what was the challenge, what were your actions, and what was the result? After you answer those questions, you will have a solid accomplishment – and that is what sells.
Key Resume Sections:
• Career Target
• Qualifications
• Core Competencies
• Key Achievements
• Relevant Experience
• Relevant Volunteer/Community Service
• Related Education or Professional Development
• Association Memberships
The Purpose of the Resume
Schools require all job applicants to submit a resume. The main purpose of the resume is to provide hiring authorities have a method of separating applicants qualified for the teaching job position from those who lack the necessary qualifications. The challenge for job seekers is to compose a top-quality resume that will interview a prospective school. After all, the sole purpose of a resume is to get the reader to pick up the phone.
A standout resume will lead to more interviews, more relevant inquiries from schools (no more calls about jobs you’re way overqualified for), and better quality jobs. Keep your resume up-to-date at all times, so it’s always ready to go!
How to Write a Spectacular Resume
A good resume does not contain every detail about your past work experiences. The aim is to get the reader to ‘buy’ your proposal. This can be accomplished if you create an achievement-based, keyword-rich, visually-appealing, targeted resume. During the interview, you can go into details about certain aspects of your resume and elaborate on specifics, if needed.
It is important to remember your resume is your marketing tool, and you should use it as such. Ensure it’s reader-friendly and illustrates your ability to teach effectively. Be clear and concise in the message you wish to communicate.
The First Page
The best way to secure a chance at an interview is to ensure the first page of your resume catches the school hiring representative’s eye. For example, don’t print your resume on purple paper, use a thirty-point font, or include inappropriate, gaudy graphics. It must look and read like a business document and be appropriate for the position you are applying to.
You should make sure that the information presented is pleasing to the eye, easy to read, professionally worded, and printed on quality resume paper. From just looking at the first page, your prospective employer should get a clear picture of your educational career goals, relevant qualifications, and achievements before they even turn to the second page.
When writing your resume, the industry language and tone used is crucial. If you are not sure of the buzzwords to incorporate, browse over job postings or descriptions. This will help you learn the keywords for the teaching position you are seeking or the area of education you are applying for.
Don’t underestimate the importance a resume has on marketing the value you bring to a school. Many job seekers throw their resumes together. Failing to understand it can make the difference between their future boss picking up the phone or discarding your document.
