According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of high school teachers is expected to grow by 5% by 2031. Teaching occupations attract many qualified candidates, so you need to draw the recruiter’s attention immediately to be selected for an interview. To get more interviews and quality job offers, many entry-level and experienced teachers turn to resume writing services.
Professional resume services can benefit the job-seeker in many ways. Resume writers present your work history to an employer in the most convincing way, focusing on your professional accomplishments as a teacher. Moreover, the writer knows what schools expect to see in candidates’ resumes and can adjust your document accordingly. A professional writer takes care of every aspect of your resume, from keywords, skills and degrees to formatting and design to maximize your interview chances.
When choosing professional writing services, it is important to find a company specializing in resumes for teachers. For example, a company at https://resumeperk.com/teacher helps both graduates and experienced teachers and instructors stand out. Experienced resume writers will emphasize your background as a teacher, relevant experience and training to help you find the job of your dreams.
To get your resume improved in every aspect and targeted for your dream job, it is best to use professional writing services. However, you can implement some quick improvements by yourself –follow the tips below.
8 expert tips to write a professional teacher resume
Use the right resume format
For teaching positions, it is best to use a popular chronological format. In this format, work experience is listed in reverse chronological order starting from the most recent one. Employers prefer this resume as it allows them to see the candidate’s experience, dates of employment, and career progression. If you have little work experience, you can list internships, volunteering positions, or part-time jobs. Do not use a functional resume unless you are changing careers.
Do not exceed the 2-page limit
Keep your resume no longer than 2 pages, as longer resumes turn off 17% of hiring managers. If your resume is too long and you have decades of experience, consider removing outdated skills, jobs you had over 15 years ago, or irrelevant positions. Keep the document concise and relevant to the target position. If you have graduated recently, you can use a one-page resume.
Add a persuasive career summary
A good resume summary consists of 3-4 sentences and lists facts, figures and the most important competencies that can be of interest to your potential employer. Think about what distinguishes you from other candidates and what professional highlights describe you as a fit for the role. The summary section is your elevator pitch and you need to catch the hiring manager’s attention and encourage them to read your resume completely.
List relevant skills
Consider including a separate Skills section in your resume. If you have an extensive skillset, you may break those skills into categories. Skills give a recruiter an instant idea about what you excel at, and moreover, they help you pass the applicant tracking system if you use skills listed in a job posting.
Here are some examples of skills for a teaching position:
- Teaching assistance
- Classroom technology
- Curriculum development
- Conflict resolution
- Individual learning plans
- Lesson planning
- Student performance
- Time management
- Instructional strategies
- Classroom discipline, and more.
Quantify the accomplishments
When initially scanning resumes, hiring managers look for accomplishments. Listing the accomplishments with figures shows that you are result-oriented, ready to make a tangible contribution and have a history of successes. If you are not sure what counts as an accomplishment, here are some ideas:
- Improving student performance and test scores
- Organizing extracurricular activities
- Integrating the learning technology
- Introducing a behavior management program
- Saving costs on teaching aids, and more.
Whenever possible, use figures to quantify your impact.
Focus on relevant experience
If you apply for a teaching position, you can omit irrelevant jobs and projects. When describing your experience, try to show your professional growth and development. If you had several similar jobs, try and describe something unique for each position. List your career progression – this is valued by employers. Avoid listing the same job description for each role. Also, keep the job descriptions concise: 6-7 bullets for each position will be enough.
List education, certifications and skills
Teachers are expected to have a good educational background. Most importantly, include a college or university degree, specifying your major. In addition, list all relevant courses, training, and certifications. Such certifications as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) or Educational Certificate: K-12 will make you more employable with different educational institutions.
Proofread before applying
Teachers should demonstrate excellent writing and communication skills, so typos and grammar mistakes are not acceptable. Double-check the written resume and use an online spell checker to find minor issues such as grammar and punctuation. Read the document aloud to make sure every sentence makes sense and sounds complete. Pay attention to the visual appeal as well. Use the same font type and size in the document, format professionally and use the color carefully.
Your success in finding a teaching job largely depends on the resume. If, after following the above tips, you still have concerns or questions about your resume, do not hesitate to ask for professional help to boost your interview chances.