Learning how to sell your teaching skills and abilities in your resume and cover letter should prioritize your job search plan.
Spend time identifying and preparing to communicate your core competencies confidently and concisely. With the economy the way it currently is, a school district could receive 1000+ job applications for one posting. With heavy competition, your resume must stand out.
In certain districts, hiring representatives can be far choosier than others. That is why you must make your resume stand out above the rest. Potential employers can take approximately 10-15 seconds to scan a resume. Ensure you grab their attention and leave them wanting to read on and learn more.
The first item that must catch their eye is your name. If you leave a memorable impression, they will recognize your name down the road when they are finalizing their list of interviews.
The second item must be your job title. An employer does not want to have to hunt through a document to figure out which position you are looking to obtain. Make your current or desired job title stand out. Be as accurate as possible.
If you seek a Secondary English Teacher or Elementary School Teacher (K-5) job, then specify this at the top of the resume. Let the recipient know what job you wish to secure, don’t let them have to guess.
Next on the list of attention grabbers is a list of areas of expertise or core competencies. These are the hard or technical skills you use in the classroom daily to establish an inclusive, enriching, and rewarding learning environment. Focus on teaching methods that allow you to reach out to all students and help them reach their full potential.
Highlight up-and-coming trends or buzzwords you can relate to and prove your knowledge in a specific area. For example, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Multiculturalism, Technology Integration, Inclusion, etc. Let your areas of expertise shine through, letting the school district know that they will be gaining a real asset to their learning community by hiring you.
By now, 10-15 seconds are up. With a visually-appealing, content-rich resume, you will entice the reader to want to know more.
Focus on holding the reader’s attention. The next 15 seconds could make or break your marketability. Your resume profile or summary needs to communicate you are indeed the full package and worth consideration for the position.
There should be a brief profile of yourself in between your job header and the list of areas of expertise section. Since you have already caught the reader’s eye and drawn them to your header and list of competencies, it is only natural that they will focus next on your profile.
The resume profile is a short paragraph or bulleted list consisting of approximately 5-8 lines; It should highlight your years of experience, relevant personality traits, and innovative instructional and disciplinary strategies. Take the opportunity to use this space wisely and sum up you as a teacher.
If you have 8+ years of teaching experience, highlight this in the opening line of your resume profile. If you are a newer teacher, explain your dedication to assisting the school community and helping all students succeed. By showcasing your commitment to the learning community, a potential employer is aware of your passion and will to accommodate others.
On a more general note concerning selling your skills, use the space under each past job position to the fullest. Take the time to describe innovative and effective methods you have used and highlight relevant accomplishments or extracurricular/additional duties. Use bullet points to feature essential knowledge and accomplishments relevant to the available position.
By following these simple guidelines, you are sure to stand out above the rest and earn your resume a closer read!
After landing a teaching job interview, you may wish to brush up your skills by reviewing these interview questions and answers.
Or educational leadership job questions and answers.
Learn more about Candace Alstad-Davies by reviewing this about me page. From that page, you can review testimonials and frequently asked questions.
Do you need writing help? Submitting a stellar application letter, cover letter, resume, or CV curriculum vitae is fundamental to a successful job search.
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