10 Resume Tips for New Teachers From Experienced Teachers

10 valuable pieces of advice for novice educators from seasoned teachers

1. Look at Your Document's Length

You’re a teacher; you could talk about your favorite subject for years. We get it. But don’t do that on your resume!

A longwinded resume wastes HR and the principal’s time. They want to see critical highlights of your academic career and any professional experience you have, not mundane details. It may even cause them to skip over your candidacy entirely.

In his Bored Teachers blog entry that outlines teacher resume tips, educator Adam Hatch writes, “Remember, the whole point of a resume is to quickly and clearly showcase why you’re the best fit for a job, and anything longer than two pages is neither quick nor clear.” If you have limited relevant experience, a single page is the best length for your document.

2. Include Awards and Certificates

You probably already know that it’s crucial to emphasize proficiencies and work experience in your resume. However, as a new teacher, this is an especially valuable step because you may compete with other applicants who have more skills or experience than you. You need additional teacher resume tips that can help set you apart, such as discussing additional credentials.

You probably already know that it’s crucial to emphasize proficiencies and work experience in your resume. However, as a new teacher, this is an especially valuable step because you may compete with other applicants who have more skills or experience than you.

“While experience and skills are king, awards and certifications show excellence and a potentially standout teacher,” reveals Hatch. List relevant certifications and draw attention to awards from your academic, professional, or volunteer experiences.

3. Show Some Numbers

“You want to quantify as much as possible on your teacher resume,” advises Hatch. Write with numbers and percentages when you describe past duties and accomplishments. In other words, don’t just say that you tutored; instead, state the number of students that you tutored and calculate their average grade improvement. Apply that same principle to other experience as well.

Metrics can draw the eye and help keep the focus on impressive descriptions instead of a lacking work history section. This, therefore, is one of the most important teacher resume tips for you as a newcomer to the field.

Keep in mind, however, that your resume is not an appropriate space for all numbers. Your social security number and banking information are a few of the figures you should never include in your resume.

4. Include Technology Skills

“Even if you aren’t a computer genius, you still need to recognize the growing importance of tech in schools,” asserts Hatch. “There is a range of important programs and platforms that make teaching, learning, and the educational process more effective.”

“Even if you aren’t a computer genius, you still need to recognize the growing importance of tech in schools.”

He suggests identifying skills in social media, Microsoft Office, and search engines. Additionally, discuss your understanding of Blackboard Learn, Google Classroom, and other specific teaching platforms or software.

5. Show Yourself in Action

Use powerful language to demonstrate that you can take command of the classroom and your professional life. “Show hiring managers what you can do,” states Pamela Hitchner, a teacher with decades of experience. “That’s at the top of my list of teacher resume tips.”

According to Hitchner, it is vital to use words that communicate action, not passivity. Rather than beginning descriptions with weak phrases such as “responsible for,” lead with action verbs such as “directed,” “managed,” and “implemented.”

6. Specify Your Skills Section

If you developed relevant proficiencies in previous employment or education, emphasize them at the top of your skills section. Aim to include mostly technical abilities, but remember that soft skills such as patience or an encouraging manner are important as well.

Aim to include mostly technical abilities, but remember that soft skills such as patience or an encouraging manner are important as well.

“I had no relevant experience when I began teaching,” Hitchner recalls. “It was my resume’s strong, specific skills section that got me the interview for my first job.”

7. Use Keywords

“No list of teacher resume tips is complete if it does not stress the importance of keywords,” declares Hitchner. “If you want to show that you are a relevant and suitable candidate, you must use terminology that grabs attention.”

How do you know which phrases to use? You have at your disposal the ultimate study guide: the job description. Look at the skills, areas of expertise, and other keywords. Incorporate them into your resume.

8. Avoid Excessive Jargon and Generic Phrases

Your resume should not include every educational buzzword you know. In her Simply Creative Teaching blog, elementary school teacher Katie Fretwell warns, “Don’t overkill it on your resume!” She recommends including the terms for only the top few areas in which you know well.

Try to avoid generic words and phrases, such as “hard worker” and “team player.”

Try to avoid generic words and phrases as well. “Hard worker” and “team player” are a couple of the overused phrases hiring managers dislike seeing on resumes.

9. Check Your Format

Regarding your resume’s format, Fretwell notes in her blog on teacher resume tips, “Stand out while still being professional.” She stresses the importance of a clear, organized format that is easy to read. For her own resume, she chose a minimalist template with a dash of color. Study the school’s culture and the position itself to determine the most appropriate option for your document.

10. Tackle Typos and Other Errors

Remember when spelling and grammatical errors cost you a few points off of your grades in school? You are in a similar situation now. Instead of losing points, however, you may lose the opportunity to interview for a job. How can your future principal trust you to teach a classroom if you misspell Mississippi?

How can your future principal trust you to teach a classroom if you misspell Mississippi?

“It is absolutely essential that you proofread everything on your resume,” Fretwell relates. She suggests asking a few friends to review your document as well. This helps you avoid careless mistakes.

Ready To Make a Teacher Resume?

Job searches and application processes are intimidating, but if you use these teacher resume tips, you can create a document that may help you take advantage of every job opportunity that comes your way. In addition to these guidelines, MyPerfectResume offers a customized resume builder. This tool is easy to use and can assist you in crafting a personalized, impressive document.