What does this experience section do right?
As opposed to the first example, each bullet point showcases quantifiable real-world examples. They didn’t just help grade papers, but graded over 100 papers, including standardized tests, and wrote 150 unique report card sections. That shows a school administrator that you put in the time and effort to learn the ropes as a teacher.
The example above also shows that this teacher is willing to go the extra mile and list the creative elements in their presentation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. In addition, this teacher gained a unique qualification as a special education teacher, which allows them to differentiate themselves from other applicants.
How to quantify impact on your resume
When crafting a resume, it’s always best to quantify all of your achievements. Although as a teacher you may think it’s difficult to put a number on some of the experiences that you have, it can be really helpful to show intangible ways you have helped to build into your students.
In fact, using real-world examples and numbers can help to show that you are credible in your role, able to handle many diverse tasks efficiently and effectively. This could be as simple as listing the median grade point average for standardized testing, showcasing how you helped your students to achieve an overall grade of 85%.
Below, you can find specific instances as a first year teacher which can be turned into quantifiable metrics:
- Improvement in student performance
- Parent satisfaction
- Classroom management
- Curriculum development
- Training and professional development
- Awards or specific recognition
- Number of students taught
- Progress your students have made in key development areas
How do I write a first year teacher resume with no experience?
It can be difficult to break into the teaching field. First-year teachers have an uphill battle to show that they’re competent and able to handle a classroom, manage parents’ expectations, and create an environment conducive to learning. If you don’t have a lot of experience, you can always lean on your past achievements, whether in work, school, or volunteering.
Below, you can find a list of advice to follow if you are crafting a first year teacher’s resume with very little experience:
- Create a compelling resume objective: Your resume objective is one of the most important parts of your resume, as it allows you to showcase not only your experience but also your goals and aspirations. Think of it like an elevator pitch: you have an opportunity to share more about yourself, what you’ve achieved in previous work experience, and what motivates you. The right length for a resume objective is between 2 to 3 sentences. It’s also an opportunity for you to share about your passion for early childhood education.
- Brag a bit about yourself: Confidently highlight all applicable experiences that you have under your belt. For example, if you were a camp counselor at a camp that dealt with kids who have behavioral issues, you can share that you help to manage expectations and create a healthy, fun filled environment. Don’t be afraid to scour through your previous experience to find specific instances where you went above and beyond expectations.
- Highlight your education section: If you’re fresh out of school, it’s always a good idea to add more to your education section to bolster your resume. For example, you may wish to include some information on projects that you completed while in university. You may also want to list your GPA and any other awards and achievements.
How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume
As someone new to the teaching world, you may find it helpful to highlight your skills section more than your experience section. Most teachers possess a good deal of soft skills, also referred to as “people” skills. But in your day-to-day experience, you’ve likely also mastered a lot of technical skills, also referred to as hard skills, including online presentation software and curriculum development.
Below, you’ll find two lists, one for the best hard skills and the other for the best soft skills to include on a first year teacher resume: