Principal Resume Examples & Templates

A good resume for a principal will look much like the principal resume templates on this page and will contain the job seeker’s contact information, skills, employment history, education and certifications, if applicable. 

A principal resume might also contain sections for awards and honors if the job candidate has them to display. See what a resume looks like for additional guidance and expert tips.

A resume for a principal should only include skills that are relevant to the job and fit the job applicant’s true skill set. Review principal resume examples for ideas on how to display your skills on your principal resume. 

Zero in on your key skills in the work experience section of your resume, and describe a top accomplishment or two that shows you’re the right person for the job.

For example: “Diligent high school principal with expertise in collaborating with administrators to improve academic progress. Successfully implemented programs that improved student achievement and cognitive growth.”

Not all resumes are created equal. Here are our top tips for crafting a perfect principal resume:

• Use our free ATS resume checker to scan your school principal resume for 30+ common errors to ensure it passes applicant tracking system (ATS) screening.
• Add separate sections for extra training, certifications, licenses and awards.
• Keep your resume short and to the point. If you have less than 10 years of experience, it should be one page long; if you have more than 10 years of experience, then it’s acceptable to have no more than two pages. 
• Incorporate keywords from the job description into each section of your ATS-friendly resume to pass automated screening and impress hiring managers.
• Ensure your resume is formatted correctly, meaning margins should be one inch on all sides and line space should be single or 1.5 inches. 
• Only use appropriate fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, in 11-12 points on the body and 14-16 points on headers.
• Proofread your resume more than once before sending it to potential employers.

Each job will have different requirements, so make sure you update your resume each time to match. 

For example, if the job stresses hiring and coaching teachers, provide an example in the work history section of your proficiency in this area, or list “teacher hiring and management” as a skill. 

With MyPerfectResume’s Resume Builder, you can create as many copies of your resume as needed to tailor each one to your target role.

Creating a customized resume for each role you apply for is essential for standing out to hiring managers and landing more interviews.

Explain your achievements in previous jobs using measurable terms, such as stats and numbers. This not only sets you apart from generic resumes but also lets recruiters clearly understand your abilities.

For example: “Managed 22 teachers, improving performance with timely, relevant feedback,” or “Reduced student misconduct by 50% in the first year as principal.”

Browse through the job posting to pinpoint key phrases that tie closely with the recruiter’s requirements, such as “project-based and experiential learning curriculum,” “building student support systems” or “relationship building.”

Address these keywords in every section of your resume. For example, you could list “relationship and consensus building” as a skill or write about a work experience in which you successfully instituted a project-based learning curriculum. 

Instead of passive phrases such as “was responsible for,” use action-based verbs when describing your work accomplishments.

For example, write “Interviewed, hired and managed 15 teachers” rather than “Responsible for interviewing, hiring and managing teachers.”

Some other action verbs you can use include executed, pioneered, oversaw, streamlined, organized, facilitated, planned and implemented.

There are several qualities that effective school principals often possess, including: 

• Leadership: A good principal is an effective leader who can inspire and motivate staff, students and parents. They provide clear direction, set high expectations and lead by example.
• Problem-solving: Principals face a variety of challenges and problems on a daily basis. An effective principal is able to analyze problems, make informed decisions and implement solutions in a timely manner.
• Relationship-building: Building positive relationships with staff, students, parents and the community is essential for a principal. They should be approachable, empathetic and able to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Adaptability: The education landscape is constantly evolving, and an exceptional principal is able to adapt to changes and new initiatives. They embrace innovation, are open to new ideas and are willing to take calculated risks.

The specific qualities and priorities may vary depending on the school context, community and individual needs. Remember to scan the job description closely to understand the skills and qualities that the employer is seeking.

If you are a teacher seeking to transition into a principal role, here are some tips on how to write an effective teacher-to-principal resume:

• Highlight your leadership experience: As a teacher, you may have taken on leadership roles within your school or district. Highlight any experience you have in leading teams, developing and implementing programs or collaborating with stakeholders.
• Emphasize your communication skills: As a principal, you will need to be an effective communicator with a variety of stakeholders. Highlight any experience you have in public speaking, presenting or writing.
• Include any relevant professional development: If you have attended conferences, workshops, or training sessions related to educational leadership, be sure to include them on your resume.

A principal’s resume should be well-organized, easy to read and visually appealing. Use a professional format, and make sure to proofread your resume carefully to avoid any errors.