1. Eliminate articles (an, a, the) where possible, and use phrases rather than complete sentences
- Example: Organized 4th grade field trip for entire 4th grade
- Non-example: I organized the field trip for all 4th graders
2. Eliminate weak verbs and replace them with more powerful words
- Example: Collaborated with parents to ensure student success on Science in Motion project.
- Non-example: Met with parents to ensure student success
3. Keep it to one page only
- If you’re a career-changer, have loads of education/published work, then two may be necessary, but really try to stick to one.
4. Consistency is key–don’t intermix noun and verb phrases throughout your resume
- Example 1: Managed gifted strand student portfolio projects
- Example 2: Designed drug free week with 90% student participation
- Non-example 1: Full oversight of gifted strand students’ portfolio projects
- Non-example 2: Designed drug free week with 90% student participation
5. Grammar and spelling matter more than you might think
- Avoid using contractions
- Read your resume aloud and/or ask someone else to read it to catch spelling or grammar errors
6. Check your formatting
- Make sure the margins, fonts, and headings are consistent throughout your resume
- Check the appearance of your resume on job platforms (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.) because sometimes the platforms garble what you upload
- PDF your resume to avoid accidental formatting changes
Have questions or want to explore a new role in education? Contact us today!
