how to stop 5 resume writing mistakes now
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How To STOP 5 Resume Writing Mistakes NOW! resumes-for-teachers.com /blog/interview-questions/how-to-stop-5-resume-writing-mistakes-now/
Candace Alstad - Davies
A teacher resume can be an effective tool, which markets you as the product. However, it onlyworks if you do it right! Avoid these resume writing mistakes educators make.
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Have you sent out resume after resume with very few, if any results?
Do you fail to comprehend where you are struggling?
Have you used a “proven” resume template, but still can’t land a job?
STOP using templates, and avoid making these other 4 resume writingmistakes educators make!
1. Use of a resume template from MS Word or similar programs – DoNOT do this!
A Microsoft Word template may be suitable for a high school student, who is searching for his orher first job. However, it is not appropriate for a professional to utilize, particularly a teacher.Teachers must be able to demonstrate creativity and outside-the-box thinking. By simply defaultingto a basic template, you will automatically lose pointswith the reader.
A resume does not necessarily need to be a work offine art; however, it is an opportunity to make yourselfstand out not only professionally, but visually as well.The key is developing a concise, truthful, and eye-catching document that leaves administrators eager tolearn more about you.
There are several strategies to get away from thestandard resume template, including incorporating color, changing fonts, integrating a related icon, addinga border, and using testimonials.
Stop using templates, and avoid these other 4 resume writing mistakes educators make! Click To Tweet
Below is a good example of how to effectively incorporate color and an icon. However, you may choose to
use just one of these items, or neither. It’s all about making the document fit your personality and the kindof teacher you are trying to portray.
Or you may wish to use a powerful testimonial, which proves you are an outstanding educator.
If you would like to see the full version of the Elementary School Teacher resume, click here: ElementaryTeacher Resume Sample
For the Teacher’s Aide resume, click here: Teachers’ Aide Resume Sample
2. Unclear resume target, specialty or desired position
If you find your resume is not gaining the attention you want it to, perhaps your specialty isn’t clear to thereader. Don’t try and hide what position you are applying for; make it obvious right from the get-go, so thereader knows to start matching up your experience and skills with the job he or she is hiring for. In additionto your name, your main area of expertise should be large, bold, and near the top of the page.
If you don’t focus your resume and coverletter, you will miss your target.
The introductory or profile paragraph should conveyyour related experience as well. For instance, in theSchool Librarian/Media Specialist example below, youwill note the writer discernibly references expertise inlibrary management and technology integration. Ahiring administrator is not left guessing as to what thejob applicant has to offer.
However, if you are a brand new teacher, who doesn’thave a defined specialty to declare, you may want toreplace the title of “School Librarian/Media Specialist”with “Seeking the position of School Librarian/MediaSpecialist.” Use the introductory paragraph tohighlight a few points that are relevant to the soughtafter position, including experience, skills, and provenmethods or strategies.
The full resume can be found at: School Librarian / Media Specialist Resume Sample
This is an example of a cover letter to complement the resume: School Librarian / Media Specialist CoverLetter Sample
3. Resume is too long or too short
If your resume is too short, you risk leaving out key details that administrators are looking for; however, ifyour document is too long, you will lose the reader’s interest. A good educational resume should be one totwo pages in length, occasionally if the individual has lots of publication or professional development it canbe three pages.
Make sure each section contains any information you find pertinent to your job application, withoutrambling. For instance, your introductory paragraph or profile should be about four to six lines or bulletpoints in length. Even though you may have more to say about yourself, you want to get to the point right
away, and not come off as self-centered. Demonstrate what you can bring to the school district.
When writing your job responsibilities, especially as they pertain to past classroom positions, do not dwellon the everyday duties that each teacher has. The hiring administrator knows what is required of allteachers, regardless of grade level or subject matter. Turn ordinary tasks into superb teachingopportunities.
Example A)Designed lesson plans that aligned to Core Curriculum Standards.
Turn into:
Developed intriguing lessons that actively engaged learners, reinforced skills, and prepared students formidterms and final exams.
Example B)Administered assessments on a regular basis.
Turn into:
Administered formal and informal assessments on a consistent basis to track student progress. Utilizedresults to employ data-driven instruction and enhance students’ performance.
Example C)Maintained a well-behaved classroom.
Turn into:
Worked with students to develop and institute classroom rules, which were clear, concise, and easy tofollow. Provided positive reinforcement to maintain a focused learning environment at all times.
4. Not emphasizing the critical, value added areas in your resume
If you find you are running out of room on yourresume, be choosy about what sections you include oremphasize in the document. If you neglect to highlightspecific areas, other than the standard CareerExperience and Education, your resume will surely goin the No pile. Some templates neglect to incorporatethe following, but they are crucial to your success inthe job search process:
• Areas of Expertise• Accomplishments• Professional Development• Professional Affiliations (if any)
Additional segments you may want to include:
• Publications• Community Involvement• Technology Expertise
Since most people only focus on the mundane – Job Responsibilities and Formal Education – you willstand out from the crowd and surpass your competition. This does not mean that you should skip thesections on Experience and Education, but rather, use the above categories to complement and reinforcethem.
A great example of how to integrate your Areas of Expertise:
Math Teacher Resume Sample
Or you may wish to demonstrate your Key Strengths in a point form or table format:
Music Teacher Resume Sample
Professional accomplishments is one of the most important sections to highlight in your resume.These can be showcased in a bullet point format under each correlating job, or can be summarizedin their own section within the document. Your accomplishments should be easy to understand,regardless of the profession you have just come from. They must also be applicable, factual, andsuccinct.
For instance, if you are an Elementary School Teacher who has helped boost the overall class readinglevel, or achieved a high score on the state exams, highlight that, using numbers or facts as much aspossible, as well as explaining how you achieved it.
Example A)Researched and chose literature that actively engaged and excited students to successfully boost classreading levels by one full grade.
Example B)Provided individualized instruction and after-school support to help a struggling student go from a failinggrade to not only passing the class, but achieving 85% on the year-end exam.
Example C)Developed creative thematic units to effectively explain complex math concepts, which students normallyconsider dry and boring. Demonstrated real life applications and utilized multisensory activities to furtherreinforce the concepts.
When discussing topics such as Professional Development, Publications, and Technology Expertise inyour academic resume, make sure they are relevant to the field of education. If you have a plethora ofcourses or workshops under your belt, select the most recent or most applicable. Do not provide a wholepage of in-services; be choosy and concise.
5. Disorganized or poor resume layout
If you know you have the right qualifications for the teaching jobs you are applying for, but find there is littleinterest in you as a candidate, the physical layout of your resume may be to blame. Is your resume easy toread? Is it easy on the eyes? Does your resume catch the reader’s eye and draw attention to the rightpoints? Or is your document crowded, unorganized, and look unprofessional?
Not every inch of your paper needs to be filled with text. Employing white space is key when arranging anydocument and appealing to the reader. Furthermore, it is crucial that there is consistency throughout yourresume. Section headings should be of the same font, size, and format (i.e. bold or underlined). Bulletpoints should be of the same shape (circle, square, dash) and indentation. Spacing must also be eventhroughout.
When choosing a font, make sure it is legible and a good size. Usually 10 or 12 point is sufficient,depending on the font type. Stick to more traditional collections such as Times New Roman, Arial, BookAntiqua, New York, Garamond, etc. Do not use Comic Sans or Papyrus, unless they are for your name. Donot overuse color or effects. Remember, you are applying to be a Teacher, not a Graphic Designer.
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Click Here For Many Resume And Cover Letter Education Examples
Hope you enjoyed reading these 5 Serious Resume Mistakes Educators NEED to avoid to get interviews.
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Candace Alstad – Davies has been online for 16+ years helping job seekers move their careers forward byoffering numerous services including resume writing, LinkedIn profile writing, cover letter writing,philosophy of education statements, interview coaching and the author of 10 education eBooks. Grab afree ebook and don’t miss information via email by signing up for her weekly newsletter here.http://resumes-for-teachers.com/signup-details.php Hope you are having a fabulous day!~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Candace Alstad – DaviesDedicated to advancing savvy educators careers easily, quickly, and with less stress!A+ Resumes for Teacher Home PageToll-free: 1-877-738-8052International / Local: (780) 513-0010Email: [email protected] Us on G+: https://plus.google.com/+ResumesforteachersCandaceLike Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ ResumesforTeachersConnect on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/candacealstaddavies/Follow me on Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/candacedavies1/Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Candace_Davies Follow me on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/candace_alstad_davies/Read at the A+ Career Edge Blog: http://resumes-for-teachers.com/blog/
