Resume job descriptions are vitally important to the hiring process. Below, we’ll discuss why this is so. We’ll also talk about how to write good resume job descriptions for the teaching field, whether you are a professor, teacher, teacher’s aid, substitute teacher, or tutor.
What Are Resume Job Descriptions? Why Do They Matter?
Every resume has a Work Experience section. In most cases, this is the single most important section when it comes to proving you have what it takes to do the job.
The resume job description tells the employer your position or title, the name of the company you worked for, where it is located, when you worked there, and what you did.
Why are resume job descriptions so important? Most employers want experienced employees. Your job descriptions prove this experience. They are also a key area for including resume keywords. We’ll talk more about that later.
How to Write Your Teaching Job Description
Before writing your job description, start with a little brainstorming. Think of all the tasks your job has required you to perform, and write them down. Make note of the skills required for each task. Also, note any personal qualities or personality traits that make you a good fit for this type of work. Finally, if you have special abilities, like a working knowledge of a relevant computer program or a second language, write this down as well.
On the same sheet of paper or on another one, make another list. This time, read the listing for the job you want. Write down skills, tasks, and any terms that stand out to you. These are your resume keywords. You should include as many of them as possible in your resume.
Compare the two lists, and circle the skills, duties, and traits that appear in both.
Next, you’ll use this “master list” to craft your teaching job description.
Write your job description using the following format:
[Position title]
[Name of school/organization] | [City, state] | [Start date – End date]
● Bulleted list of duties and skills
Check out this example of a substitute teacher resume job description for more inspiration.
Important Skills for Teacher Resumes
According to the job search platform Indeed, the following are among the most sought-after skills and experiences for teachers. How many of these terms can you include in your resume?
● Advise
● Analytical thinking
● Analyze
● Behavior analysis/management
● Bilingual
● Classroom instruction
● Classroom management
● Coach
● Collaboration and teamwork
● Conflict resolution
● Cooperative learning
● Coordinate
● Creativity
● Curriculum development
● Demonstrate
● Develop
● Developmental levels
● Devise
● Differentiated instruction
● Discipline management/strategies
● Distance learning
● Educational assessment
● Elementary or secondary education
● Encourage
● Facilitate
● Flexibility
● Goal-setting
● Growth mindset
● Guide
● Hands-on learning
● Inclusion/inclusive
● Individual learning plan/individualized educational plans (IEP)
● Initiative
● Instructional technology
● Integrity
● Interactive learning
● Interdisciplinary
● K-12
● Leadership
● Learning/instructional styles
● Lesson planning
● Maximize
● Mentor
● Monitor
● Motivate
● Organization
● Parent involvement
● Patience
● Persistence
● Problem-solving
● Public speaking
● Special education
● Strategic planning
● Student advocate
● Student-centered instruction
● Supervise
● Teaching methodologies
● Time management
● Train
● Written and verbal communication
Keywords and Tailored Resumes
Above, we talked about finding keywords in the job description and using them in your resume. This is important because many organizations use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to rank the resumes they receive. The ATS is a computer program that looks for the needed keywords. If your resume has them, it scores highly and moves on to a human hiring manager. If it does not, your application will likely be rejected.
It is important to tailor each resume you submit to the needs of the job. That means that you can’t create just one resume and use the same one everywhere you apply. For each application, you should look for keywords in the listing and use them in your job description as described above. The changes may be minimal – a few words or even just the tense or form of the word – but they can mean the difference between getting the job or not getting a call-back.
Writing Teaching Job Descriptions as an Employer
If you are working in the human resources department at a school board or educational institution, you may be called upon to write the job description for the listing. Many of the above principles still apply.
First, list the tasks the new hire will need to accomplish. Then, list the skills, qualities, and educational requirements needed. All of these terms will serve as your keywords. If you are using an ATS, you will program these into the system. If not, you will look for them as you analyze each resume.
Next, use the keyword list to write the job description. You’ll have a qualified new hire in no time.
Key Takeaways
● Read the job listing to find keywords to include in your resume.
● Tailor your resume to each teaching position you apply for.