8 Teacher Resume Writing Tips You Need to Incorporate

Teacher resume writing tips to implement to prevent this job search scenario from happening to you. Your teaching colleague and former college mate are off to an elementary school teacher interview – the interview you did not get! If you were to sneak a peek at her resume, what might you see?

The presentation of your resume can either open or close the door to a new job position, leaving you with the lingering thought of "Why didn't I get an interview? I am qualified!"

If you had followed the below resume writing tips, the odds are it would have been you skipping out the door to that job interview. Your resume is your most influential marketing tool within which you advertise your skills and abilities to potential employers.

The resume that gets the job interview does not just list your past work experiences and duties; it convinces the reader you have the identified skills and abilities to meet or exceed the expectations of the position. Your resume should engage the interest of the reader, provide convincing reasons with evidence of why you are more qualified than other applicants, and encourage the employer to contact you for an interview.

8 Teacher Resume Writing Tips

8 Resume Writing Tips to Increase Education Job Interviews

  1. Use a Captivating Introduction to Engage Your Reader
    • Employers scan a resume for only a few seconds, searching for relevant skills and accomplishments that the ideal education candidate must possess. It is imperative that your resume captures the reader's immediate interest, or it will get lost in the shuffle. Write a compelling resume profile (introduction) to convince them you are their potential candidate and they should read on.
  1. Match the Requirements of the Job Posting
    • More often than not, job hunters write a general or generic resume, sending the same "generic" resume to different job opportunities. No targeting your resume is one of the biggest mistakes, as it results in a mediocre resume. Why? Because it fails to match the recruiter's or hiring manager's requirements.
    • Highlight the appropriate skills and experience you have that pertain to the job posting. Obtaining a job description for the desired position is an excellent way to pick out key skills and core competencies. If a job posting is not available, you can always research job descriptions on posts with similar titles.
    • Visiting the school district's website also gives plenty of information about the atmosphere of the community and offers tips on what tone you can use when writing your resume. It is imperative that you write several resumes tailored to the positions for which you are applying. Using one resume to apply to several positions results in a generic resume that never really pinpoints what you have to offer to meet the needs of each particular employer. A resume is not a one size fits all.
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  1. Maintain Focus - Chronological or Functional Resume Format
    Know what the reader is looking for and what relevant skills you have to offer. Read the job description, call the school district for more information, or visit the website. Knowledge is power! Once you have established this criteria, you can choose one of two different types of resume writing formats; chronological or functional.
    • Chronological Resume - A chronological resume lists your past work experience from most recent to oldest, placing emphasis on experiences that apply directly to the educational field.
    • Functional Resume - A functional resume is ideal when you have little or no experience. It allows you to portray your skills and abilities in categories that highlight specific skills the job requires.
  1. Focus on Your Accomplishments to Build Credibility
    • Focusing on your individual accomplishments will set you apart from other applicants. Highlighting achievements allows you communicate the value you brought past educational institutions. You show you can do it for them as well. Spotlighting your performance will enable you to show a potential employer how you excelled.
  1. Provide Evidence to Increase Employability
    • Quantify your accomplishments. Present the % and $ difference to show how you have increased or decreased, and improved key performance metrics. Give proof of your accomplishments. (i.e., "Designed unique curriculum that resulted in 75% of my students increasing their test scores by a whole letter grade").
  1. Communicate How You Can Add Value to the School Community
    • Don't simply list your duties. Tell the district how your skills can help advance the goals and objectives of the school and increase student achievement. You are undoubtedly selling yourself when applying for a job with a resume, and you have microscopic time to close the deal.
    • Make the decision easier for the employer by explaining exactly how you will meet the needs of the school community.
  1. Use Descriptive & Keywords
    • When describing your past work experiences and accomplishments, start your phrases in the past tense, and list them in bulleted format. Using punchy working will make the statements engaging and hold the reader's attention. A few examples of descriptive words: achieved, decreased, planned, produced, restructured, transformed, initiated, supervised, and managed.
    • Education Resume Keywords
    • Ensure that you showcase your abilities in a particular field by using keywords that will highlight your competencies and expertise.
    • Examples of keywords for a teacher post: classroom management, curriculum design, and implementation.
    • Examples of keywords for a school principal or administrator: educational program evaluation, IEPs, enrollment process. Here are more teaching keywords and skills to include in an education resume.
  1. Proofread & Review Your Resume Targeted Towards a Teaching Position
    • Read, and re-read your resume. Have someone else review your document, as it is sometimes difficult to identify errors. A friend's review of your resume may assist you in discovering unclear and confusing areas. Having a second set of eyes review your resume and cover letter should provide you with further information that you may have inadvertently forgotten. Ask teaching colleagues, hiring authorities such as principals and teacher recruiters to critique your resume.

Review 101 Teacher Resume and Cover Letter Writing Tips to increase the odds of clinching the job interview. Next time, it will be your college mate asking to borrow and read up on your resume writing tips.

We would enjoy writing your resume and other job search documents. Don't hesitate to connect with Candace toll-free 1 877-738-8052 or email.