How to Write a Resume for Teachers

Hello fellow educators! Your resume is the first impression that a school district principal will ever get as to the kind of person you are.  Writing a resume can be so overwhelming especially if it is your first time.  I mean let's face it your livelihood may possibly depend on how well you put your resume together.  So, What should be in a resume for someone looking to land a teaching job or at least gain an interview. 

I am glad you asked. . . Let's start with a Header.  This will be located at the very top of your resume on every single page.  You want a future boss to be able to get a hold of you.  Make sure you ONLY put updated contact information.  If a building principal prints it out and loves it but accident ally piles your pages with someone else's resume you want to make sure they can distinguish you and be able to reach YOU! So include your full name, address, phone number, and email address.  Now it's time for the first section of your resume. Your Profile. In this section list 3 main points about your skill set and personality.  The idea here is you want to explain in 3 different statement show your skill set and personality will help you do your job.  I explain in greater detail and list examples in my blog anticay. com as to what types of statements to make.  For example, you could mention how high energy you are, or talk about what an equitable teacher you are.  Do not forget to mention your interpersonal skills and how they will help you do the job. This is one of the key components to being a teacher.  You must be able to work with others as a team and deal with being able to communicate to other professionals, students, parents etc.  If you have never taught before and are unaware of the different roles or the many hats a teacher wears you can learn about it in my eBook entitled before. The idea here is to list everything that you are certified or trained in that aligns with your teaching career. You can list your CPR Certification, your educator certification.  Now, there is no need to mention your welding certification unless you are applying for a teaching position as an industrial arts teacher.  In which case DEFINITELY include it! Title the next section Education.  I encourage you to brag, brag, BRAG on yourself here.  Mention every accomplishment you received in college.  Maybe you were Who's Who among Students in Colleges and Universities.  Perhaps, you graduated Magna Cum Laude and tell of any scholarships you received.  Don't feel discouraged if you don't have much to write in this section and I still have a sure-fire tip on how to land you and interview that you can find in my blog. The next section of your resume should be entitled extracurricular.  Put down any extracurricular you were part of in college.  Maybe you were in the Art Club that is something excellent to put down especially if you are applying for a position as an art teacher.  Maybe you were treasurer of the science club.  Again, excellent to note if you are applying for a position as a science teacher.  In this part of your resume it's okay to list any organization you were involved in even if it is not directly conducive to your future teaching career. Yeah! We are approaching the final sections of your resume.  That means you will have the tools you need to actually get one started.  Okay, in your Professional Awards sections put down any and I mean every award you received anywhere you worked.  Perhaps you were employee of the month at the Taco Barn.  Make sure you let them know that.  In the Professional Honors section put down if you were nominated teacher of the year, maybe you were the recipient of a grant that you wrote a proposal for, maybe you were chairperson in a committee. Things along that line. Under your professional experience.  List all, all of your work experience.  Perhaps you were in sales for 4 years or an engineer for 2 years or taught 3 years of English 1 Pre AP or 2 years of 5th grade science.  Not all that down in this section.  Yes! Finally the last section of your teacher resume should be called Professional Extracurricular: Maybe you are in the local high school booster club or maybe you play soccer in the local city league.  List all of that here. Wait.  One last thing , something you should know is that most school districts now collect data and applications for teaching positions on a highly impersonal data base.  That's right now you have to upload your certifications, letters of recommendation, and your resume. With so many viable candidates with souped up resumes to choose from how can you guarantee you'll even get an interview? Well, again I have a sure-fire way that has helped many at least get an interview.  You can find this tip in my blog at Angkor HR under What to Put in Your Teacher Resume.