Improve your Resume: 5 Tips to Achieve your Desired Teaching Job
GETTING a teaching job is as difficult as licking your own elbow. Let’s get real. It took me hundreds of applications before I landed into the teaching job I really wanted. I know other professionals, not only educators, can relate with me. It is vital that on the initial stages of your application, you have earned a huge edge over the other applicants by creating an impressive resume.
I understand that there are application sites wherein you pay money to upgrade your resume and, in turn, will move your resume to the top so employers can easily view your credentials. But this is not my point. I am talking about how to sell yourself as a professional by creating an effective resume. Even if your profile is most viewed by employers online, if your resume is rubbish, you will never make it.
First of all, ask yourself. Do you really want the job? I mean, is the subject and student grade level within your teaching ability? Is the salary offer good enough? Do you agree with the working conditions and environment based on the job ad? Did you research well about the school you are applying to? It is a complete waste of time and effort submitting a resume when you are half-hearted with the teaching job you are applying to in the first place. At the same time, it makes no sense to me giving pieces of advice when you are not 100% committed with your job application.
Now, if you have surpassed level 1, let’s move on to level 2. Read carefully and apply the following fool-proof strategies in creating award-winning resumes.
- All important and relevant information should be on the first page
Consider this. There are hundreds of applications piled up waiting to be screened. Most of the time, the recruiter only views the first page and decides if the applicant is eligible for the job or not. Make sure you list your previous relevant teaching experiences on the first page, starting from the most recent. The same applies with your educational background.
- Omit unnecessary information
This includes your work as a fast food crew way back in college, your seminar-workshop in agrarian reform program, your award as the “Most Behaved” student in 3rd year high school, your parents’ names, and your religious affiliation. Other least important information such as age, date of birth, and civil status are placed on the last page.
- Be professional looking in your photo
Full front with collar, hair not covering any part of the face, eye glasses removed. In short, you should appear as a respectable teacher in your photo. Enough said.
- Do not forget your contact details
Contact details are what prospective employers need to get hold of you for a possible interview and demonstration teaching. Always include your physical address, mobile number, and email address in your resume. I suggest you place them right under your name on the first page. Have a decent email address. Avoid including annoying and alarming email addresses such as babylove@hotmail.com, sexywinky@yahoo.com, or gummybear@gmail.com.
Speaking of email addresses, some recruiters (like me) search applicants’ Facebook accounts using their email addresses listed on their resumes. This serves as an authentic background check on who they really are. So be careful. Sometimes, your Facebook profile reveals who you are.
- Always KISS
Keep It Short and Simple. A two-three page resume is okay. If it is more than that, you better apply for a supervisory position such as a head teacher, principal, or director.
Always couple your resume with a cover letter to explain the intent of your application and why prospective employer should hire you for the position. Again, keep it real, short, and simple. When an employer invites for an interview and demonstration teaching, prepare your supporting documents such as diploma, transcript of records, certificates of employment from previous schools, and test of English language skills if applying overseas (TOEIC, IELTS, CELTA). Once you have followed everything written on this article, you have a 50% chance of obtaining your dream teaching job. The other 50% involves your interview and teaching demo (if the school will ask for a demo).
I wish you all the best and I hope you land into your desired job. Good luck on your application!
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