New Teacher Resume Examples

Starting your journey as a new teacher can be thrilling, but writing a teacher resume might feel like learning a new language. It's common to feel stuck, wondering how to showcase your skills and experience in the best light. From deciding what to include, to battling with formatting issues and understanding what school administrators are looking for, the struggle is real. Many new teachers find themselves anxious about details, worrying that they might miss something crucial or that their resume doesn’t stand out. Well, don't fret! This guide will help you craft a resume that grabs attention and opens doors to teaching opportunities.

Choosing the right resume template is like finding the perfect lesson plan; it makes everything smoother and more effective. A well-structured template ensures your resume is easy to read, highlights your strengths, and lands you in the shortlist of candidates.

We offer more than 700 resume examples to simplify your resume-writing process.

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What to focus on when writing your new teacher resume

Your new teacher resume should reflect your passion for education and your readiness to foster student growth. Clearly highlight your education, especially if you have a degree in teaching or a related field, and mention any student teaching experiences, volunteer work, or internships. Show your ability to create engaging lesson plans and manage classrooms, demonstrating strong communication and organizational skills. Add soft skills such as patience, adaptability, and teamwork to paint a complete picture of your capabilities.

To boost your resume's impact, consider including:

• Relevant coursework and academic achievements.
• Volunteer activities related to teaching or mentoring.
• Any certificates or professional development courses.
• Strong references or commendations from internships.

Must have information on your new teacher resume

When creating a resume for a new teaching position, it's essential to include certain key sections to make your application stand out.

• Contact Information
• Career Objective
• Education
• Student Teaching Experience
• Relevant Skills
• Certifications and Licenses

Additionally, you might want to consider adding sections like Volunteer Work, Professional Development, or Extracurricular Activities to further highlight your qualifications. These additions can showcase your dedication and broadened experience, even if you don't have formal teaching experience.

Which resume format to choose

For a new teacher resume, the best format is the functional format. This highlights your skills and education rather than work experience. Use modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat instead of Arial and Times New Roman for a fresh look. Always save your resume as a PDF to keep the formatting intact. Set your margins to one inch on all sides for a clean layout. Use clear section headings to help the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) easily scan your resume.

A new teacher resume should have these sections:

• Contact Information
• Objective Statement
• Education
• Relevant Coursework
• Teaching Experience (if any)
• Skills
• Certifications
• Volunteer Experience

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this, making it easy for you to craft the perfect resume.

How to include education on your resume

The education section is a crucial part of your new teacher resume. It gives potential employers a snapshot of your academic background and demonstrates your qualifications for the job. To ensure your resume stands out, tailor this section to the teaching position you're applying for, excluding any unrelated education.

Include your GPA if it is 3.5 or higher, displaying it clearly next to your degree. If you graduated with honors, such as cum laude, make sure to mention it to highlight your academic excellence. List your degree by clearly naming the type of degree, followed by your major, the institution's name, and the location.

Here is an example of a poorly written education section:

This example is bad because it includes an irrelevant degree ("Bachelor of Arts"), does not list the GPA, and includes incorrect dates ("fromMonth": "June", "toMonth": "May"). It also misses the opportunity to highlight any honors.

Here is an example of a well-written education section:

This example is good because the degree is directly relevant ("Bachelor of Science in Education, cum laude"), the GPA is clearly listed ("3.7 out of 4.0"), and the dates align correctly ("fromYear": "2016", "toYear": "2020"). This well-organized section makes it easy for recruiters to see your qualifications.

How to include volunteering on your resume

Including a volunteering section on your resume is vital for entry-level teacher applicants. Demonstrate your commitment to helping others, show off your skills, and highlight experiences relevant to teaching. It’s also possible to integrate your volunteer work into the experience section, showcasing it alongside paid roles. For example, if you’ve tutored students at a local community center, this experience is worth noting.

To incorporate volunteering, start with an active verb to draw attention. Describe what you did, where you did it, and the time frame. Mention any specific achievements or skills learned that could translate to a classroom setting.

Volunteering as a teaching assistant at an after-school program could show your dedication to education. List the duties you performed and the skills you gained. Make sure to demonstrate how this aligns with the responsibilities of a teacher.

The above example is strong because it relates closely to teaching responsibilities. It shows your capacity to help students and manage a classroom, which are essential skills for a teacher. It also demonstrates your initiative and dedication to improving students' academic performance.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing a resume can be a challenging task, especially if you are a new teacher with little to no experience. However, you can still create a compelling resume by focusing on skills, volunteer work, academic accomplishments, and how you can transfer your skills from other areas. Here's how you can do it:

First, make sure your resume follows the correct order: Start with your name and contact information at the top, followed by a brief objective or summary. Next comes the education section before moving on to your experiences. Even if you don’t have much experience, you can still make it shine by highlighting your transferable skills and any volunteer work you've done. Use specific action words such as "organized," "developed," and "assisted" to demonstrate your capabilities. Tailoring your resume to the job you're applying for will make you stand out. Focus on what the employer is looking for and emphasize similar skills and experiences in your resume.

To make it easier, let’s see an example of how you can list your experiences. Below is a poorly written example, followed by a well-crafted one:

This example is ineffective because it lacks detail and doesn't showcase any achievements. The position title and workplace are vague, and the bullet points fail to demonstrate any specific accomplishments or improvements.

Here's how you can improve it:

This improved example focuses on achievements and uses concrete numbers to demonstrate success. Such details make the role more compelling and relevant, even without extensive professional experience.

Now that we've seen one way to enhance your resume experience section, let's explore other ways you can focus this section to make it stand out.

To highlight different focus areas in a resume experience section, you can tailor the content based on your strengths and past activities. Here are four distinct focuses:

Emphasizing skills

If you've acquired valuable skills from various roles or activities, you can highlight these in your resume experience section:

Emphasising projects

When you've worked on significant projects, you can make those the centerpiece of your experience section:

Emphasising problem-solving

If you excel in finding solutions to challenges, focus on problem-solving in your resume:

Emphasising collaboration

Team activities or projects where you worked with others can be highlighted to show your ability to collaborate:

Write your accountant resume objective section

When writing the resume objective section as a new teacher, you want to be clear, concise, and focused. An objective should state your career goal and what value you bring. It's a short pitch that shows why you're the right person for the job. Applicants can describe themselves by highlighting key skills, enthusiasm for teaching, and any unique attributes relevant to education. Using specific, job-related examples can make your objective stand out.

A resume objective is different from a resume summary, profile, or summary of qualifications. The objective focuses on your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role. A resume summary provides a brief overview of your professional experience. A resume profile gives a snapshot of your skills and expertise. A summary of qualifications lists key accomplishments and skills.

Here are two examples of resume objectives for a new teacher:

This example is bad because it is too vague and doesn't specify the type of teaching position or what the applicant offers.

This example is good because it clearly states the applicant's qualifications, enthusiasm, and specific career goal while addressing the needs of the potential employer.

Listing your new teacher skills on your resume

Creating a strong skills section on a resume is important for new teachers. Skills can be listed in a standalone section or mentioned in other sections like experience and the objective statement. Your strengths and soft skills are key in demonstrating your ability to connect with students and manage a classroom effectively. Hard skills, on the other hand, are specific abilities and knowledge you have acquired through education or training.

When writing your resume, consider how your skills and strengths can serve as keywords that catch the attention of hiring managers. This helps your resume get noticed and matches you to the job description.

Example of a standalone skills section:

This skills section is good because it showcases a variety of relevant skills, from classroom management to technology integration. Each skill is directly related to the job of being a new teacher. Listing a range of skills ensures that your abilities meet different aspects of the teaching role.

Best hard skills to feature on your new teacher resume

Hard skills for a new teacher show specific expertise or technical knowledge. These skills should communicate your readiness to handle the responsibilities of the classroom effectively.

Best soft skills to feature on your new teacher resume

Soft skills for a new teacher demonstrate your ability to connect with students and colleagues. These skills should communicate your social and emotional readiness to foster a productive learning environment.

Extra sections to include in your new teacher resume

Entering the world of teaching is both exciting and rewarding. As a new teacher, crafting a compelling resume can be daunting, but including key sections can help you stand out.

• Language section — Highlight any languages you speak fluently. Showcasing your language skills can demonstrate your ability to connect with a diverse student body. Include how these skills enhance your ability to communicate with non-native English speakers.

• Hobbies and interests section — Share your personal interests to provide a fuller picture of who you are. Demonstrating a range of hobbies can show your ability to relate to students. Mention how your hobbies offer enrichment opportunities for student activities or clubs.

• Certificates section — List any relevant certifications, such as teaching credentials or first aid. Including your qualifications shows your commitment to professional development. Highlighting these certificates can set you apart from other candidates. For instance, showing proof of completing your teaching certificate between 2018-2022 can boost your credibility.

• Books section — Mention books you've read that are relevant to teaching or child development. Demonstrating your ongoing education through reading shows your commitment to the profession. Reference books that you're inspired by or that have influenced your teaching philosophy. This will show your dedication to improving as an educator.

Pair your new teacher resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document sent alongside your resume when applying for jobs. It provides a brief introduction, explains your interest in the role, and highlights the skills that make you a strong candidate. A well-written cover letter can set you apart from other applicants by showcasing your personality and enthusiasm for the position.

For a new teacher, a cover letter should focus on your passion for education, your teaching philosophy, and any relevant experience gained during your student teaching or internships. Emphasize your understanding of effective teaching strategies and how you motivate students to achieve their best. Mention any special skills, like classroom management or integration of technology in lessons.

Creating a cover letter doesn't have to be hard. Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder for an easy, step-by-step process. Exporting your cover letter as a PDF ensures that your content and formatting are protected. Start crafting the perfect cover letter today with Resume Mentor!