How to Make a Resume for a Teaching Job

Crafting the Perfect Teaching Resume

Want that dream teaching job? It's not just about acing the interview. Your resume? That's your first impression. It's your ticket to showing off what you can do. This guide will help you make a resume that really shines.

Why Your Resume Matters (A Lot!)

The teaching world is competitive. Your resume is your best marketing tool. It's a quick summary of your skills, what you've done, and where you want to go. A great resume gets you noticed. A bad one? Well, it might get ignored, no matter how awesome you are.

Picking the Right Resume Format

There are a few different ways to set up your resume. The most common are chronological, functional, and combination. For teaching, a chronological resume is usually best. It clearly shows your work history and how you've grown. Think of it like a timeline of your teaching career.

A functional resume focuses on skills, not your work history. This might be okay if you have gaps in your work history or are changing careers. But for teaching, chronological is usually better.

A combination resume mixes both. It lets you highlight specific skills and show your work history. It’s a good option if you want to emphasize certain skills while still showing your experience.

What Should Be in Your Teaching Resume?

1. Contact Info: Your name, phone number, email, and maybe your LinkedIn profile. Keep it professional and easy to find.
2. Summary/Objective (Optional): A short summary of your best skills and experience is a great start. An objective statement, which explains your career goals, is less common now, but can still be useful if you are changing careers or aiming for a specific role.
3. Skills Section: This is super important! Organize your skills logically (like teaching methods, classroom management, etc.). Use keywords from the job description. For example:
   • Differentiated Instruction
   • Classroom Management
   • Curriculum Development
   • Assessment
   • Technology (list specific software)
   • Special Education (if applicable)
   • Bilingual Education (if applicable)
4. Experience Section: This is the main part! For each job, use the PAR method (Problem-Action-Result). Show what you did and the results. Use numbers! "Improved student test scores by 15%," for example.
5. Education Section: List your degrees, certifications, and coursework. If your GPA is above 3.5, include it. Mention any awards.
6. Professional Development: Include workshops, conferences, or training. It shows you're always learning!
7. References: You can either list them or say "References available upon request." It's smart to have a separate list ready.

Tips for a Great Teaching Resume

• Tailor it: Change your resume for each job you apply for. Read the job description carefully!
• Use Action Verbs: Start your bullet points with strong verbs (like developed, implemented, taught, mentored).
• Use Numbers: Show your impact with numbers (like "Increased student engagement by 20%").
• Proofread!: Grammar and spelling mistakes are a big no-no. Ask a friend to check it too.
• Use a Nice Font: Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri are good choices.
• Keep it Short: Aim for one page unless you have tons of experience.
• Use Keywords: Use words from the job description to help computers find your resume.
• Make it Look Good: Use bullet points, white space, and headings to make it easy to read.

Skills to Highlight

When writing your resume, really focus on these skills:

• Classroom Management: How do you create a positive learning environment?
• Curriculum Development: How do you make engaging lesson plans?
• Instructional Strategies: What teaching methods do you use (differentiated instruction, project-based learning, etc.)?
• Assessment: How do you measure student learning?
• Communication: How well do you communicate with students, parents, and colleagues?
• Technology: What technology do you use in your teaching?
• Collaboration: How well do you work with others?
• Student Engagement: How do you keep students interested and involved?

See Some Examples

Looking at good teaching resumes can help! Search online for "teaching resume examples" or "teacher resume templates." Remember to make them your own!

The Bottom Line

A great resume is key to getting a teaching job. Use these tips, and you'll create a resume that shows off your skills and passion for teaching. Remember to tailor it to each job and proofread carefully. Good luck!