7 Signs Your Resume Isn't Making the Grade

Rusty Resume? 7 Signs Your Resume Isn't Making the Grade. 

It’s been a while since you’ve laid eyes on your resume. In fact, it might’ve frozen in time after your free Microsoft Office subscription from college expired. Wherever your resume is, dig it up and dust it off, because the resume advice your professor or career counselor gave you a few years ago has likely lapsed — and the following mistakes are bringing you down.

1. You open with a stale objective.

For many teachers, the gist of an objective statement is simple: “I want to help children and shape the minds of the future.” That’s great, but if you’re a teacher with experience, this should be understood.

Instead of wasting precious resume real estate on a cliché (and making the mistake of writing an objective statement in the first place), write a three- to five-sentence professional summary. Feature your accolades, experiences, and career goals, and use this space to set yourself apart from other teachers.

2. You list your education first.

Post-college, real-life experience means a lot more than a college course or student teaching. If you have at least a few years of professional experience, slide your education details to the bottom of your resume. Start strong by highlighting your classroom experience.

3. You list implied skills.

Including a skills section isn’t an absolute mistake, but avoid listing implied skills. A few examples include time management, effective written and verbal communication, conflict resolution, and being organized. Your professional experience should highlight these skills.

Instead, use this section to highlight any additional language skills, certifications, or familiarity with emerging technology you may have.

4. You’re telling, not showing.

You’re creative. You’re passionate. You’re hard-working. Just like implied skills, these overused adjectives mean nothing unless you have something to back them up.

Instead of telling potential employers you’re creative, why not show it? Perhaps you pitched and organized an inaugural school event or implemented a unique classroom rule to teach students about tolerance. Show it off.

5. You didn’t proofread.

You’d be surprised by how many people don’t proofread their resumes. Would you accept that behavior from your students? Probably not.

No matter how chaotic life may feel, take time to proofread your resume before clicking submit, and even have a friend, family member, or even an expert resume writer act as a second set of eyes. One misspelled word could make the difference in whether you land a job at your dream school or not.

6. You went all out with your design.

Many teachers are creative; however, your resume doesn’t need to showcase your design skills. Keep your resume layout simple. You don’t need a headshot, a fancy border, or clip art. It distracts the reader from what’s important: your qualifications.

7. You failed to update your contact information.

Double-check that your contact information is correct, and that you’ve updated your email to be accurate and professional. Include your phone number and a link to your LinkedIn profile, plus your general address (town and state), unless you plan on relocating. By keeping your information up to date, you will make it easy for employers to get in contact with you.

At the end of the day, remember that resumes, just like your students, are always evolving. Keep in tune with the times, update your resume, and have your resume reviewed by an expert so you pass your next job application with flying colors.

Carson Kohler is a contributor at TopResume, the largest resume-writing service in the world that offers a range of resume-writing services including expertly written and keyword-optimized resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Request a free, objective resume review today to ensure your resume makes the grade with prospective employers.