If you need tips for your teacher resume, you’ve come to the right place!

To make this post super beneficial for my teacher friends, I enlisted the help of the fabulous (and certified teacher) Jaylynn at Modern Professional Resume Creation. Seriously, she creates the most gorgeous resumes, so be sure to read over her tips.

When you are on the hunt for a new teaching position, a new district, or even a different career, a professional, eye-catching resume will help to set you apart from other candidates.

Job-seeking requires a resume that reflects your unique strengths, skills, and experience.

It may have been a while since you updated your resume, so be sure to consider the five tips below to help you create a modern, scroll-stopping resume.

Teacher Resume Tip #1: Keep it all on one page!

I cannot stress this enough. Employers need to know the key points, not your life history. 

Begin with your most recent, relevant experience. If you have enough experience in education to fill the designated column or area, there is no need to include non-education experience.

For example, if you have 25 years of experience in teaching, a prospective employer would not be interested in a cashiering position held during college.

However, if you have only one or two previous positions relevant to education, then including other work experience will be appropriate to establish your work history.

I once reviewed a resume attached to a job application that was six pages long! My eyes glazed over after the second page….it was just too much information!

Your resume should give prospective employers an overview of what you can bring to the table, pique their interest, and allow you to expand on your qualifications in an interview.

Dying to see a sample resume from Modern Professional Resume Creation? Here you go!

Teacher Resume Tip #2: You SHOULD brag on yourself!

It may feel like bragging or “tooting your own horn,” but you MUST share achievements, awards, honors, and any other accolades!

I once helped a teacher with her resume, and she felt very uncomfortable listing her awards and achievements, as if she would seem boastful.

To distinguish herself from other applicants and demonstrate the fact that she has achieved recognition due to excellence, I insisted that she include all honors bestowed during her teaching career!

This information should be included in a sidebar with a heading like “Honors and Achievements,” “Recognitions,” or a heading that best summarizes the items listed.

These items could also be listed in bullet points directly under each job’s description. Some items in this category include teacher of the year or month, grants received, awards unique to your school or district, honors or recognitions from professional organizations, fellowships, or any other applicable items.

Teacher Resume Tip #3: Colorful pictures and elements are no longer taboo!

Gone are the days of plain, basic resumes, with heavy text and Times New Roman font.

Modern resumes have splashes of color, a picture or headshot, and even artistic elements in some cases. Your resume should be as unique as you are!

If you choose to add a picture, it should be high-resolution and present you in a professional way. Most pictures resemble a headshot, but other photos are acceptable too, if you feel like it is a good representation of who you are and what you look like.

Steer away from filtered pictures and selfies, as they may not look professional.

If you are adding color to your resume, consider the theme or mood you are trying to convey.

For example, earth tones could demonstrate your calm, cool nature, while vibrant neons would indicate that you are a high-energy, fun-loving individual.

Teacher Resume Tip #4: Highlight experience that shows WHY you are a good fit!

Review the job description for your desired position.

Your resume should highlight specific responsibilities within your work history that demonstrate how your experience meets the qualifications.

Look for keywords from the job description to include in your resume or professional profile.

For example, if a job description outlines a qualification like “Knowledge of state standards in the subject area,” be sure to add a phrase in the explanation of your current job duties that explains how you meet this qualification.

This might say, “Plans engaging, effective lessons using the state academic standards to ensure student mastery at high levels.”

Teacher Resume Tip #5: Enlist a friend or colleague to help with proofreading!

Even the best writer can benefit from the perspective of another person reviewing their work.

Ask a friend, family member, or coworker to review your completed resume for correct spelling, grammatical errors, cohesivity, readability, and to determine if it conveys a sense of professionalism.

Invite constructive feedback.

Expect to have a few drafts before your resume is ready.

Do not let the thought of creating a resume overwhelm you. If you do not know where to begin or how to create your ideal resume, help is available!

Let an experienced professional create a beautiful, custom resume based on your unique specifications. Email me at modernproresume@gmail.com or visit my page on Facebook for more information @modernproresume.