They say teachers are the bedrock of any civilization.
But what they don't say is that you get paid peanuts or that you can't get a decent job without a decent teacher's resume.
While we are not mighty enough to make promises for the civilization, we can assure you that by using a few pointers listed below, you can make a stellar resume for teachers, one that will land you a job where you are not paid peanuts and one which manages to tap into your true potential.
If you're tired of rejection mails and just want to swiftly transition to your preferred job role, check out our online resume builder for state-of-the-art resume designs and professional resume templates for the profession of your choice!
This 2023 Guide to crafting the Perfect Teacher's Resume will broadly be covering the following:
- Why Do You need a Teacher's Resume?
- Format for a Teacher's Resume
- Resume Objective / Summary
- Teacher Resume Skills
- How to Frame your Work Experience for a Teacher's Resume
- How to Mention your Awards & Achievements
- Aesthetics & Design for a Teacher's Resume
- Additional Sections: Hobbies, Interests & Extracurricular Activities
In this article, we will provide a list of sections that are necessary for all kinds of teaching profiles- be it new teacher resume, substitute teacher resume, elementary education resume, experienced teacher Resume, educator resume, English teacher Resume, preschool teacher resume, elementary teacher resume, high school teacher resume, etc.
Subsequently, we'll break down these sections to further elucidate how to make the perfect resume for teachers.
A teacher's role in constructing modern society cannot be understated.
Their role majorly demands the following:
- Being sensitive, as they influence the children in the formative years of their lives
- Good communication, as education is imparted and shared through that medium
- Being knowledgeable, to remain updated and impart the most relevant information possible
If we lived in an ideal world, these three critical traits would be highlighted and would figure on top in the teacher's resume.
Importance of a Resume for Teachers
With a rise in the commodification of education and numerous factors coming into play, there's a marked increase in participation of private interests, leading to a massive surge in competition for teachers in this sector.
According to a poll of The Guardian, young (read economical) teachers offer an added advantage over experienced (costly) teachers in the crowded job market.
The poll of 529 education professionals revealed that a sizable number of teachers (43%) plan to look for a new position within the next 12 months.
With fierce competition and a significant scarcity in terms of vacancies, the resume for a teacher has become exceedingly important, and it is increasingly critical to showcase the best of your abilities in your resume for teaching.
This article is a step in your path to land a dream teaching profile. We shall discuss how to showcase skills, professional experience, and qualifications in the best possible way in the teacher's resume to get more shortlists. Here's a teacher resume sample by Hiration for your reference:
Also read: How do you mention teaching experience in a cover letter?
1: Choosing your Teacher Resume Format
Teacher Resume Format
Any recruiter scanning your resume won't have more than 5-6 seconds to take a call on whether your resume demands more of their time.
The basic premise that you must keep in mind when it comes to a teacher's resume is that your primary task is to make the recruiter's job easier.
That's your Number 1 objective. Everything that we'll talk about in the sections below is just a way to achieve that singular objective.
Are you explicitly targeting a job as an elementary teacher, middle school teacher, university professor, or substitute teacher?
If yes, a targeted resume format for teachers would be the best way to go.
This format allows you to represent all sections of your resume in accordance with the job description of your target profile.
When to Use: If a candidate is explicitly targeting, let's say, a middle school teacher role at XYZ School, then the targeted resume shall be along the lines of the following:
Reverse Chronological Format for Teacher's Resume
This means following a reverse-chronological order while describing your professional experience. Your most recent (or last held) work experience will appear first while going back till you reach your first work profile, followed by the Education section and additional sections (Certifications, Training, Interests/Hobbies, etc.)
When to Use: When you have a transparent trajectory without any break or career change and are looking for a job along the lines of your current work profile.
Here's an example of a reverse chronological resume to put things in perspective:
Functional Format for Teacher's Resume
As the name suggests, a functional resume for teachers would focus more on the teacher's skills and relevant experience instead of the actual professional trajectory.
The whole idea is that this type of teacher resume emphasizes the key skills to showcase how you can deploy the same for any other assignment or role. The focus is on presenting all your skills to demonstrate your value to the next institution.
If you do not have a rock-solid career graph and have lapses in between, this kind of teacher's resume format will take care of that.
Combination Format for Resume for Teachers
The combination format is a teacher's resume that combines the functional and chronological resume format. Candidates can put across their key skills with relevant experience and also detail the work experience in reverse chronological order.
When to use: If a job role requires a particular skillset and the candidate wishes to showcase that over his/her professional trajectory.
Since the format for a teacher's resume is taken care of, let's proceed and discuss ways of optimizing the first section of your teacher's resume.
Also read: What are the 30+ essential resume formating tips to keep in mind?
2: Summary Section in a Resume for Teachers
Candidates often mention an objective section in their teaching resumes. An objective section only makes sense if the candidate is an entry-level professional who's just entering the job market.
If you are an experienced teacher, you don't need an Objective section. A crisp Professional Summary section exceeding not more than 3-4 lines, which details your key skills and the impact you can deliver to the next institution using the same, will do the job.
The idea behind the same is that the recruiter is not interested in a shopping list of things you are looking for, which is what an Objective section essentially is. We like to misappropriate a JFK quote along the lines of 'Ask not what the company can do for you, but what you can do for the company.'
The Professional Experience is there below to list your achievements and key contributions. But it's the Summary section where you can elaborate on the value you can deliver as a teacher.
A summary is often the easiest way to gauge your professional trajectory & what you can offer. The recruiters should not have to scan your professional experience section to assess whether you can deliver any value to them.
That's the job of the Summary section.
It is a quick snapshot of who you are and why you are a suitable candidate.
Optimizing your Teacher's Resume Summary Section as per the JD
When a recruiter is piled up with hundreds (if not thousands) of resumes, how do they decide which ones to process further?
The Job Description. The Holy Grail of all recruitments there ever was, there ever will be.
When you mention an Objective section, you run the risk of not adding significant value in the most prominent section of your resume.
When most candidates refer to the JD for optimizing their resume, they forget that a Job Description is responsibility-based whereas a resume is achievement-based. Hence, when optimizing your teacher's resume summary section, rephrase your points so that they are aligned more towards achievements than responsibilities.
Let us understand that from a typical teacher CV sample. Let us examine a specific career objective section in a conventional primary school teacher resume:
"Dynamic individual who wants to grow in a workplace which offers a conducive environment for child development and the right environment to showcase teacher skills and capabilities for future growth."
Let us compare it with what we are suggesting as a summary in your primary teacher resume:-
"Highly skilled primary teacher with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and highly proficient in championing classroom management and student development. Adept at designing lesson plans and preparing learning enablement modules to foster appropriate skills and facilitate healthy development. Possess a track record of devising innovative ways to bolster conceptual knowledge and understanding of students and give them a conducive environment to question and interact."
Now place yourself in the recruiter's shoes. When you have a total of 10-12 seconds to go through both the resumes and the summary/objective section is the top section, which one do you think will deliver greater impact?
Very clearly, the teacher's resume containing a crisp summary section will overshadow the teacher's resume containing the objective section. Anyone can identify the skills needed from the JD, but it takes a certain level of finesse to rephrase those skills along the lines of your achievements.
At this preliminary stage of the recruitment, when a recruiter only has to shortlist the candidates, a shopping list of things you are looking for (objective section in a teacher's resume) hardly matters.
Recruiters only need to know whether you can deliver any value to them. Having a clearly defined career goal is alright. Still, the same has to be aligned with institutional/organizational interests as well - it's only the latter half that is of interest to the recruiter.
The rest of the details can be ironed out during the interview. But at this stage of the recruitment, you don't have much time and space to showcase your value.
Consequently, if you are not an entry-level professional, it's always better to write a crisp resume summary section instead of an objective section for a teacher's resume.
But we suggest you take up your desired role as the designation targeted just above the Summary.
So if you are targeting "High School Teacher" and your resume shows the skills and experience suitable for it, then go ahead and put the designation there.
Do it safely, though. There should not be a big mismatch between what designation you target and what experience you have!
Now, your job description matches the Summary of teacher resumes along with the targeted designation mentioned.
Check out: Hiration’s ChatGPT-powered resume summary generator
3: Key Skills in a Teacher's Resume
The Key Skills section holds pivotal importance in your resume, serving as a spotlight for your most significant abilities.
- Placement: Directly below the summary ensures its visibility. Recruiters often seek to match your skills with the job requirements right after being impressed by your summary.
- Significance: If your summary omits a specific skill, the recruiter will check the Key Skills section for a match. Consider a scenario where the recruiter needs a teacher who can mentor a team. Even if you haven’t mentioned team handling in your summary, listing it in the Key Skills can make all the difference.
- Goal: Your main aim is to secure the interview. Make it effortless for the recruiter to see your fit.
- ATS Clearance: Many institutions use Automated Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes. This software hunts for keywords matching the job description. Ensuring your Key Skills contain relevant keywords enhances your chances of passing through these filters.
4: Professional Experience in a Teacher's Resume
Immediately after the Key Skills, the work experience section comes in.
This is the most time-consuming section of your resume.
Let us try to take it up step by step:
Writing work experience in a Teacher's Resume: Follow reverse chronological resume format
Following a reverse chronological order is the best way to write this section, but there are exceptions to this rule.
If your desired profile matches up with the profile you handled, say five years ago, then chronological arrangement suits you well.
Surely some candidates who want to get back to their previous profiles shall go with chronological work experience.
Job Titles for work experience in a resume for teachers
Tailoring Job Titles
Tailoring your job titles can reflect the nuances of your experience better, especially if they align more closely with the position you're seeking.
Example: Instead of "Painting Teacher", consider "Recreational Activity Manager" to showcase a broader range of skills, particularly if you've managed group activities like painting and crafts for children.
Quantify Achievements
Illustrate your experience with numbers; they're straightforward, eye-catching, and convey efficiency.
Before: "Managed a class of students to achieve almost full pass percentage."
After: "Managed a class of ~30 students, achieving a 95% pass rate."
Clarify Reporting Hierarchy
Clearly mention whom you reported to and the number of subordinates, if any, to give recruiters an insight into your role’s magnitude.
Are you a Vice-Principal reporting to the Principal? How many teachers report to you?
If you're an individual contributor, mention how you've added value to academic activities.
Use Power Verbs & Adjectives
Power verbs can enhance the impact of your resume.
Before: "Managed a class of 30 students to achieve 95% pass percentage."
After: "Spearheaded a class of 30 students, using stellar classroom management skills to successfully attain a 95% pass rate."
Embrace Bullet Points
For concise, clear communication, use bullet points instead of paragraphs. Example Transformations:
From: "Managed innovative teaching methods..."
To: "Championed innovative teaching strategies, boosting attendance rates."
From: "Worked with teachers and staff..."
To: "Collaborated with educational teams to optimize academic processes."
From: "Handled workshops for parents weekly..."
To: "Conducted weekly parental workshops, resolving concerns and fostering engagement."
Also read: How many bullet points per job on a resume?
Include Company Name & Description
Give a concise overview of your past institutions, especially if they're not widely recognized. This provides context, especially for international recruiters.
Highlight Relevant Accomplishments
Research your desired school's values and achievements, and tailor your accomplishments accordingly.
Example: If a school prioritizes parental satisfaction, highlight your experience in parental counseling, detailing the number of parents counseled and issues resolved.
5: Emphasize on Awards and Achievements
If you have notable awards or achievements, they can significantly differentiate you from other candidates. Such recognitions demonstrate your dedication and success in the teaching field.
Benefits of Including Awards
-
Stand Out: Awards showcase you as an achiever, suggesting that you'll continue to excel in future roles.
-
Relevance: Achievements directly related to teaching provide an added advantage, emphasizing your specific expertise.
Tips for Listing Awards
- Date: Always specify the month and year of the achievement, especially if recent.
- Nominations: Indicate the number of nominations to provide context about the competition level.
- Selection Criteria: Highlight the qualities or skills that led to your recognition.
- Awarding Institution: Mentioning the name, especially if it's a renowned institution, adds weight to the recognition.
Here's a before and after example for you:
Before: "Awarded for the Best High School teacher in Best School in the city among five nominees."
After: "Received the Best High School Teacher award among 30 nominees for exceptional student pass rates and subject expertise – XYZ School, Dec '17."
Also read: How to list achievements in your resume if you have no prior work experience?
6: Aesthetics & Design
Fonts
Choosing the right font ensures your resume is both legible and professional. Depending on the nature of the teaching position, different fonts might be more suitable:
Traditional Roles:
- Garamond (11.5pt): Classic and readable.
- Tahoma (10pt): Clean and neutral.
- Calibri (11pt): Modern, yet professional.
Creative or Contemporary Fields:
- Gill Sans MT (11pt): Offers a sophisticated touch, often used in the UK.
- Constantia (11pt): Balanced for both digital and print formats.
Always maintain font consistency throughout the resume.
Spacing
A well-spaced resume enhances readability. Ensure there's ample spacing between headlines and main points. A resume with more white space often appears cleaner and more professional.
Margins
Symmetry is key. Maintain equal margins on the left and right for all content, and keep uniform margins for headings. This ensures a neat appearance.
Colors
While creativity is appreciated, a more restrained color palette often works best for resumes. Stick to a maximum of two colors. The classic black text on a white page remains a top choice, but incorporating a subtle shade like blue for headings can add a touch of distinction.
Also read: What are the different resume font combinations you can go with in 2023?
7: Extracurricular Activities
Last but not least, a teach resume demands a showcase of some extracurricular activities, specifically if the work experience is not very clear and straight.
Extracurricular activities are usually started in the child's formative years, and your experience in the same can be transferred to the children you teach.
Extracurriculars show many aspects of your personality that are otherwise hidden and are not reflected in your work experience.
For example, if you have been into theater and dramatics, you tend to be a good team player, which might not be reflected in your work experience.
But recruiter might need this critical skill, and thus this section might catch the recruiter's eye.
Heck, say the recruiter wants to conduct teaching sessions through plays and dramatics in the class, you would be a great choice!
So please go ahead and demonstrate your unique talents in this section.
Also read: What are the different types of extracurricular activities that you can list in a resume?
By following these seven tips for your teacher resume, you would hugely benefit from landing many crucial job interviews.
Moreover, Hiration’s ChatGPT-powered career service platform can not only help you in crafting a resume that's shortlisted and designing a compelling cover letter, but also refining your LinkedIn presence and preparing for the final interviews!
All the best!
