Resume Tips: What to put in your resume

Well, I attended the PD day run by the IEU 'Best Foot Forward'. Like most PD it included some sessions that were were great and others that weren't. Lucky for you I sat through those sessions so that I could bring you the good stuff! The best sessions were those on Interview skills and resumes, and we were given a really good booklet that gave some good resume tips. So, because it's late and i'm feeling lazy i'm going to copy it straight out of the booklet for you. Credit therefore goes to the IEU for this post!

Resumes 

Your resume is your first and most essential job-hunting tool whose purpose is to get you short-listed for interview. It is basically a marketing document on which you promote your 'Unique Selling Proposition' (Knowledge, skills, experience, attributes etc.)... For that reason, your resume is a uniquely personal document. There is no one-size fits all approach. There are, however, some general guidelines to remember (See Table)

Resume Template

Your Name

Address

Mobile

Email

VIT registration #

Professional Overview (or personal statement or career objectives)

50-100 words outlining in clear terms what it is that makes you stand out from all the other applicants

Education (or Qualifications)

List in reverse chronological order: Institution, qualification, dates

Key Achievements (or key skills and attributes or what I am known for)

• 5 - 8 Bullet Points
• Avoid Generic items such as 'good communication skills'

Employment (or teaching or professional experience)

• List your employers (including school placements) in reverse chronological order : Employer, job title, dates
• Provide a brief overview of the position if not obvious, including year levels and subjects taught
• Provide up to 5 key achievements whilst in this role (bullet points)

Professional Development

Bullet points in reverse chronological order or grouped by function eg. Curriculum, classroom management etc. No more than 12

Other sections as appropriate

• Awards/Scholarships
• memberships
• Publications and conferences
• Volunteer and Community work

Activities and Interests

• 4-10 bullet points on how you spend your time when your not studying or working

Referee Details

• Generally 3 are required
• Name
• Relationship to you or what they are able to comment on
• Position held
• Organisation
• Email
• Phone

In conclusion.....

Obviously this is just one template designed to give you guidance on what to put on your resume, but don't freak if the resume that you already have doesn't follow this template. The main things that I took from the session are that presentation is almost as important as content, so be really thoughtful about the way that you layout your material. Secondly, be succinct, as principals are going to have ALOT of resumes to look at and the easier yours is to read the better. Finally, it is ok to tailor your resume to the school you are applying for. For example if the school is heavily into technology, try and express how your skills and experiences are ICT related.

As always I hope that this has been of use to some of you!

Happy Teaching!