Selling Your Top Teaching Skills in Under 15 Seconds

With the economy the way it currently is, school districts are receiving resumes from an ever-increasing amount of applicants. Employers are able to be far choosier more now than ever. That is why it is crucial that you make your resume stand out above the rest. It is said that potential employers take approximately 10-15 seconds to scan a resume. You must ensure that you grab their attention and leave them wanting to read on and learn more. The first item that must catch their eye is your name. If you leave a memorable impression, they will recognize your name down the road when they are finalizing their list of interviews. The second item must be your job title. An employer does not want to have to hunt through a document to try and figure out which position you are looking to obtain. Make your current or desired job title stand out. Be as specific as possible. If you are seeking the position of Secondary English Teacher or Elementary School Teacher (K-5), then specify so. Next on the list of attention grabbers is a list of areas of expertise or core competencies. These are the hard or technical skills you use everyday in the classroom to establish an inclusive, enriching, and rewarding learning environment. Focus on methods that allow you to reach out to all students and help them reach their full potential. In addition, highlight up-and-coming trends or buzzwords that you can relate to and prove your knowledge of. For example Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Multiculturalism, Technology Integration, Inclusion, etc. Let your areas of expertise shine through, letting the school district know that by hiring you they will be gaining a true asset to their learning community. By now your 10-15 seconds is probably up. With your eye-catching resume you have made the reader want to know more. However, you must now focus on holding their attention. The next 15 seconds could also make or break your marketability. This is when the role of your professional profile kicks in and demonstrates that you are indeed the full package and worth another look. In between your job header and list of areas of expertise should be a succinct profile of yourself. Since you have already caught the reader’s eye and drawn them to your header and list of competencies, it is only natural that they will focus next on your profile. This should be a short paragraph consisting of approximately 5-8 lines, which highlight your years of experience, relevant personality traits, and innovative instructional and disciplinary strategies. Take the opportunity to use this space wisely and sum up you as a teacher. If you have 5+ years of teaching experience, make that your opening line and bold it. If you are a newer teacher, explain how you are dedicated to helping the school community and each and every student succeed. By showcasing your commitment to the learning community, a potential employer is made aware of your passion and will to help others. On a more general note concerning selling your skills… Utilize the space under each past job position to the fullest. Take the time to describe innovative and effective methods you have used and highlight relevant accomplishments or extracurricular/additional duties. Use bullet points to showcase key information that you want to stand out the most. By following these simple guidelines, you are sure to stand out above the rest and earn your resume a closer read!