Aside from an engaging and interesting introduction through a cover letter, a resume must include accurate and current contact information, along with education and/or state teaching licensure requirements. Once those two key facts are recorded on the resume, a teacher candidate should include as many of the following skills that are relevant to the job the candidate is applying for.

Problem Solving

A teacher can expound upon times in other jobs when initiation was used to solve problems while working with students. Examples of this could be when working with students of different academic levels or students who speak various languages, and how these differences relied on the teacher to create a plan to meet students’ needs that may be different than traditional methods.

Another example could include how a teacher solved conflicts while working with other teachers. When describing solid problem-solving skills, the teacher must include the presence of the characteristics involving initiative, positive thinking, and confidence.

Instructing and Presenting

These skills are paramount for a teacher’s resume because these are the core to a successful educator. How the candidate describes an instructing style can be one area of the resume to set the candidate apart from other candidates. The teacher wants to include which of the five instruction styles the candidate relies upon: lecturer, demonstrator, hybrid, facilitator, or delegator.

A first-year teacher candidate needs to consider carefully which of the teaching styles will fit the needs for the job being applied for. The skill of presenting should support the instruction style. When describing presenting skills, the candidate can involve technology skills and communication skills. An important consideration when describing presentation skills should be how to reach the four different types of learners, visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading and writing learners.

Curriculum and Instruction

School administrators are looking for teachers who have skills in delivering effective curriculum and engaging and impactful instruction. The skills you list regarding curriculum and instruction should include how your teaching meets students’ needs, engages students, encourages higher-order thinking, and aligns with the school, school district, and Department of Education’s core values and expectations.

Management Skills

One of the top interview questions for a teacher candidate is to explain classroom management techniques. Now this question is a challenge for a first-year teacher, so it is important for the resume to include strength in setting routines early in the school year and determining how the class will create class norms to follow all school year and develop a classroom family environment. Veteran teachers’ resumes should be more specific with management skills for the class but should also indicate an ability to be flexible if students do not respond to a classroom management technique.

Communication Skills

A potential employer wants to know if the candidate can communicate with parents and how does the candidate communicate with parents. A resume can reflect communication style, frequency, and method. If a teacher uses a specific newsletter style or makes phone calls for positive behavior through the school year, both examples would be good to include in a resume.

Technology Skills

In today’s world of teaching and learning, another important skill that will help you land a teaching job is technology skills. Students today have had face-to-face learning, online learning, and a hybrid model. Knowing how to effectively use a Learning Management System (LMS) shows the person hiring you that you have skills that will impact students today. Students today have had technology in their environment for their whole life. This is why it is important to show how you can deliver instructional content both in the classroom and in a virtual setting. Learning how to use LMS such as Google Classroom, CANVAS, Moodle, and Schoology are a great way to stand out when a person is reviewing your resume. It is crucial that you show that you are up to date with today’s best practices when using learning management systems and engaging students.

Emotional Intelligence

This skill involves a candidate sharing hobbies, involvement in social groups, and volunteer experience in the resume. Emotional Intelligence is a skill observed in the interview more than by reading a resume. However, a resume can provide an employer the ability to determine the possibility of a candidate’s empathy skills and social skills based on the descriptions of activity involvement outside of the classroom.

Time Management

Describing this skill can include leadership opportunities such as a grade level or subject area chairperson. The potential employer can presume the candidate’s ability to manage time if a candidate has been given several opportunities that not only involve leading a classroom but as a leader among other colleagues. Once again, a first-year teacher will need to describe strength with time management by sharing a desire to be a leader or include examples of leadership while a college student.

Collaboration

How does the candidate work with others, has the candidate worked well with other colleagues? In a resume the teacher can describe opportunities in student teaching when working with others was a valuable and positive experience.

Classroom Management 

School principals especially want to know your skills with classroom management. don’t have proper lessons planned out, a teacher who knows how to monitor student learning, and effectively use transitional times in the classroom this can lead to distracting behaviors with students and a loss of instructional time. Showcasing your skills with delivering instruction and leading students in their learning is a stand out that is very important to have on your resume.

School administrators have specific things they look for when they interview you. What school administrators look for include your classroom management experience, ability to work well with others, and how well you communicate and collaborate with others. Along with curriculum, instruction, and classroom management, technology skills are important to securing your teaching job.For 21st century teachers and students, this is a sill you must have.

Ability to Work Under Pressure

This skill involves successfully meeting deadlines. Another way to illustrate a candidate’s ability to work under pressure is by describing all the many tasks handled while student teaching. When student teaching, a first-year teacher can include the many daily demands accomplished to provide a quality classroom experience for the students.

Creativity

Teachers should describe the unique touches the candidate has offered in student teaching or previous teaching jobs. In a resume this is the area when a teacher candidate can highlight special accomplishments, creations of new activities in a grade level that turned into traditions, or programs initiated by the candidate to improve the students’ experience in a grade level or special area.

There are so many skills for a teacher to include in a resume leading to a consideration for a face-to-face interview and a potential teaching offer.

Education and Certifications

One essential skill to put on your resume is education and certification. When administrators and human resource directors look at a resume it is important to show your education experience and certifications. The education degree can range from Bachelors from undergraduate school or at the graduate level a Masters or Doctorate. Certifications in the K-12 educational world range from Elementary, Middle Level, and Secondary Certification. For elementary teachers, the elementary certification usually is grades K-5.

Middle level certification is from grades six through eighth, and secondary is from grades ninth through twelfth. Elementary certifications is more general and gives the teacher to teach a wide range of subjects to students in the elementary school setting. Middle and secondary certifications are more specialized and focus on specific content areas such as Math, History, English, Business Education, and Physical Education (P.E.).

However, in many states, Physical Education and Special Education certifications often bring a K-12 certification. Obtaining a certification in school counseling or education administration is an option for teachers who want to eventually move outside the classroom. Regardless, having the proper up to date educational experience and certifications is a must on any professional teacher or educator resume.

References

The references you should include should be ones that will reflect your ability to teach and showcase your network of colleagues. If you are a new graduate from college, you should include your professors or teachers whom you completed your clinical experience with. As your teaching career grows, you will have even more relevant references such as school principals, department heads, and school district directors. Your references will change over time, but it is important to use the most recent ones and references that can give an accurate assessment of your skills to your potential employer.

Whether you are new to education or a veteran, it is important to continue to make yourself marketable in the education field. Finding ways to stand out compared to other candidates is an effective way to land the first or next teaching job. By detailing your education experience, skills in curriculum and instruction, classroom management, and technology, you will be one step closer to finding the school that is the right fit for you.

Teachers never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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Differences Between a Business Resume and a Teacher Resume

In business, a resume is typically used. In higher academia, a curriculum vitae (CV) is typically used. There are differences. A resume is meant to be a quick snapshot of a person’s relevant experiences/education that are specifically targeted to a position. It is usually a page long as a beginner and then expands to two pages for those with experience.

A CV is meant to list a person’s education, accomplishments, work experience, volunteer work, research, and publications. There is no limit to length. Pre-K to 12 teachers and administrators will use a combination resume. We will call it a resume, but it should not be as short as a business resume. It is fine to go beyond a page, but do not insert “filler” items that have no significance.

Important Sections to Include/Not Include in the Resume

Contact Information

This is vital information for the top of your resume. Be sure to include your phone number with area code, mailing address, and current email. Do not use your college email; instead, use your personal email as you will have graduated at some point and the college email will be inactivated. Districts keep resumes on file for years and it is best to keep your information current.

Objective

This is not necessarily needed in the education world. If you graduate with a degree in teaching, one will assume that you are applying for teaching jobs for which you are certified.

Education

Put the college(s) you have attended, the years you were there, and dates/expected dates of your degree as well as what that degree will be. It is very important to add the certification/license that you will hold. Do not leave out endorsements. Administrators don’t want to have to hunt for those. It is not necessary to put in your high school information.

Experience

In this section, put your experience in teaching jobs, subbing, aide, student teaching, and observing information. Put down the places and dates you served in each job, grade level, and subject area. It is unnecessary to bullet point the parts of the job you did that are expectations.

You should only bullet point an accomplishment below that item if there was something out of the ordinary involved.

Perhaps you had an exceptionally high number of students who exceeded achievement on a state test, or you had experience in co-teaching with a special education teacher. You could add training courses or workshops you have attended that are out of the ordinary. Those would be things to highlight. There is no need to say that you prepared report cards for students and had parent conferences. Those are expected things, not highlights.

Other Work Experience

Some colleges say not to add in any other work experience. I suggest adding your other work experience here that is not education related. It can show other skills you have that may not be highlighted in the education section of your resume. It can show that you have perseverance, loyalty, good communication, initiative, etc., depending on what the job was. Employers want you to have had work experience in the world.

Awards, Affiliations & Volunteer Work

This groups three categories into one. When you start out teaching, you may only have one item for certain categories. Making groupings is a way to get your achievements/experience in without having only one item under a heading. List any awards you may have gotten, any professional organizations you belong to, and volunteer work you have done. Employers want to see that you have given back to others.

Presenting & Publishing

These two categories are natural to combine, and it is rare for a beginning teacher to have much of this experience. Still, if you have anything for this category, use it. If not, remember to add this heading in future years when you have had more of these experiences.

References

In business, you will often see the term under this heading stating, “References Available Upon Request.” In the field of education and for teacher jobs, it is not a bad idea to actually list your references here along with a title and contact information. Administrators who are perusing resumes may come across a name they already have a connection with, and your resume may get pulled first for the teaching jobs because of that connection.

Personal

You do not need to list any personal information about yourself at all or even have a section like this on your resume. Remember, it is illegal for an employer to ask about marital status, race, religion, family plans, disabilities, etc.

The Cover Letter

When creating a cover letter, take the time to find out to whom it should be addressed. Do not put things like: “Dear Hiring Administrator”, “To Whom It May Concern”, or “Hi.” Address it to the principal in the building by name for the job you would like. If you are applying for multiple teaching jobs in a larger district, find out the name of the Director of Human Resources and use that. This letter is your way of telling people who you are and what you value. Do not repeat information from your resume! 

Instead, use this opportunity to tell potential employers of teaching jobs what kind of person you are. Talk about your teaching philosophy, why you got into education, how teachers have affected your life, and why you think this job is so important. Tell them why you are a good fit. This is not the time to be shy or not want to brag. Speak to your strengths and sell yourself.

The Application

Most applications are now online and easily transferred between districts. Ensure all spelling and punctuation is correct when filling out the online application. Errors will be the first thing that is noticed. For the essay questions, be sure to do them on some other kind of doc and then cut and paste them onto the application instead of typing the answers directly there. That way, you can save and re-create for other districts. When you are listing your references, be sure that you are giving personal numbers and emails, not just general school emails/numbers. You want to make it easy for an employer to check references.

These tips can help you to be more successful in your job search for teaching jobs!

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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