Posts Tagged ‘Resume Tips’

Most job applications are now done electronically, and most employers, no matter the job level, request a resume from the candidates. Have you ever wondered why employers would request resumes from all candidates, when it can be extremely time consuming to assess them all? Employers don’t really assess every resume they receive; companies use various software to scan the resumes they receive for key words and content specific to their available positions. Typically, this is the first round of resume assess . Your resume has to make it pass the notebook -generated scan in order to make it into the hands of the hiring manager.

While your resume may be well-written and well-formatted, it may not be scannable. This may be the reason why you are not receiving calls from the makings employers, even if you have fantastic qualifications for the job. To make your resume scannable, follow these tips:

• Special formatting may cause certain letters in words to touch, and blend into one character. This is mainly the case if a word is bolded or italicized. Make sure that you assess your resume and revise any parts where letters are joined together, so that the words can be scanned.

• Font type and font size are very valuable for both your printed and electronic resume. When the resume is scanned, it is valuable that the font is recognizable by the software. Stick to the basic fonts, such as Ariel and Times New Roman, and to the basic font size, such as 10 or 12 points.

• Do not underline words or phrases in your resume. In an electronic format, underlining implies that the text links to another document or a web site. Additionally, do not have any lines in the resume that touch the text, as this will prevent the resume from being scannable.

• All the text in your resume must read from left to aptly in order for your resume to be scannable. No special formatting, such as tables, or columns, must be contained within your electronic resume.

• Do not use special characters that may not be recognized by scanning software. This includes special formatting of bullets, use of ampersands or percent cryptogram , copyright cryptogram , or any other characters that may not be straightforwardly recognizable by scanning software. If you are quantifying information on your resume, make sure to denote out the percentage instead of using “%” as you are indicating increase in sales, for example. Whenever possibly, avoid using cryptogram or special characters in your resume.

• Even if you submit a printed resume, the document may be scanned for key words to match your qualifications with available positions. It is very valuable that your submission is on plain white document , in basic font type and size. If you are submitting multiple pages, make sure that all the pages are numbered, with your name in the top left corner. Do not staple multiple pages. If you do so, only the top page will be scanned.

• The most valuable constituent of a scannable resume is the selection of active keywords, or power words. Do your investigate and make sure that you use the appropriate keywords in your resume that apply toward the spot you are seeking. Having appropriate keywords throughout your resume makes it simpler for the software to find matches when scanning the document. Helpful tip: assess the employer’s job requirements for keywords. What are the vital qualifications for the job? Make sure that your resume contains the same terminology as that on the job class , without preside over copying of the text, of course. When your resume is scanned, the software will pick up these key words and you can be one step quicker to landing your dream job.

Whether you are new to teaching, are coming back to teaching after time off, or are leaving your corporate job for a teaching spot , you will need to make sure that your resume and cover letter address the subsequent four questions your employers may have:

1. Why do you want to be a teacher?

This question is very valuable and you must address it in both your resume and your cover letter. Your résumé’s career objective must have a well-urban statement about your passion for teaching, while your cover letter must elaborate on your goals and your teaching style. Your career objective must be longer than that of an objective found on corporate-driven resumes; it must provide more of a summary of your passion for teaching and your qualifications. Your commitment to students and their education, no matter their level of school, has to be clearly communicated as it is one of the most critical aspects of being a teacher and it can set you apart from other applicants.

2. Do you have the qualifications de rigueur to be a teacher?

Your education and certifications must immediately follow your career summary statement. The part must be titled “Academic Credentials” and must list all degrees and certifications which make you a certified teacher. Having proper credentials for the job you are applying for is critical in the teaching field. Point out any cluster of courses you have taken in school that makes you certified to teach a specific subject. If you have been in print in academic journals or have written and in print textbooks, make a separate part on your resume for publications. Make sure to include a comprehensive list of all of your credentials on your resume. Don’t sell your self small .

3. What from your professional experience qualifies you to be a teacher?

Unlike corporate-focused resumes, where jobs are outlined in chronological order, teachers have to focus on not only their experience teaching (if applicable) but on any professional achievements that make them a fantastic candidate for the job. If you have prior teaching experience, use a chronological list to show case your work history. If you are new to teaching, you will need to list any experience you have that helps make you a fantastic teacher. Don’t get discouraged – if you consider your experience, you will find that you have the qualifications to be a teacher, you just need to focus on those meeting your career objective. Use a functional resume format. Do some investigate and find examples of teaching resumes that you can model your resume after. If you are entering the teaching field with corporate experience, list any training you have urban and thought at your company, for example. If you have recently graduated, list any Teaching Assistantship positions you may have had, or any practical coursework you took part in. You can reference any volunteer work, or community involvement that supports your goal of becoming a teacher. For example, if you have volunteered your time to an organization like Huge Brother huge Sister, and you mentored a child, note that on your resume. Utilize any experience you may have that demonstrates your leadership, your passion for education, and your skill to motivate and pass on information to others.

4. What are your long term professional goals?

Just like a corporation, the school where you are interested in teaching will want to know not only why you want to be a teacher, but what your long term professional goals are. You must make a brief mention of your long-term goals in your career summary; your cover letter or teaching way of life must elaborate on your long term goals. Will you be returning to school for a Master’s degree or a Ph.D.? Are you interested in becoming a high school dean in the next ten being , or will you want to teach more than one subject? Are interested in teaching grade school first, and possibly teaching high school at the later time? Do you have interest in becoming a department chair at a university? If you are driven toward a long term goal, make your the makings employer aware of it. But make sure that you have an action plot on how to get there – show your employer that you know what it takes to reach that goal.

Overall, make sure that your resume is error-free, and that you have incorporated key words specific to the teaching field, such as teaching jargon and acronyms. Do your investigate and model your resume after samples of other teachers, with the consideration of their experience and teaching level. Demonstrate your passion, your commitment to education and your patience – and schools will be sure to take notice.