How To Make your CV Stand Out: A Guide for Educators

How To Make your CV Stand Out: A Guide for Educators

If you’re getting ready to find your next role in education, the first step is to update your CV. But as a crucial point of the application process, it can be a daunting task for even the most well-seasoned educator. As a specialist education recruitment agency, we know how to help you fine-tune and format your CV and we’re here to help you with some of our top tips!

Personal Statement

This section is where you need to summarise your experience and how it fits the college (and role) you’re applying for, it’s important to be concise and impactful.

• Make sure you tailor this to the responsibilities outlined in the job description and the college in question.
• Incorporate your years of experience, specific strengths and what you specifically will bring to the role.
• Consider including points that stand out to you about the institution, like it’s values or mission.

Education and Experience

As an educator it’s important that you have the right qualifications, as well as the experience you’ve gained in your career to date.

• When outlining your experience make sure you highlight quantifiable achievements and not just your general responsibilities – “in this course 86% of my students performed higher than their predicted grades” is more impactful than “most of my students got better grades than predicted”.
• Be sure to include any extra certifications or courses that you’ve done to help you stand out, from first aid and charity work to professional development.

Showcase your Skills

Educators need a wide-range of skills, from classroom management to administrative; highlight soft-skills, technical skills and transferrable skills from relevant previous roles.

• Consider the role you’re applying for, if it’s on a senior level outline budgeting experience, leadership and conflict resolution.
• Don’t forget to add both technical skills – like specific learning management systems – alongside soft skills such as teamwork.
• Make sure you include skills that are included in the job description; if the hiring managers use software, it will pick these up like keywords identifying you as a match.

Layout and Formatting

When it comes to getting your CV in top shape, you want to make sure it’s easy to read. With hundreds of CVs coming across hiring managers’ desks, keeping it simple is key.

• A good rule of thumb is to keep it between 1 – 2 pages, size 12 font in Arial or Calibri.
• Remove unnecessary information, like GCSEs and irrelevant work experience to the role you’re applying for.
• Utilise headings and bullet points to ensure your CV is easy to read.

Proofread

Your CV is your first opportunity to make a great impression, proofreading is key to ensure you don’t make any mistakes at the first hurdle.

• Avoid off-putting spelling or grammar mistakes by running your CV through a free platform like Grammarly.
• Ask your family or friends to review it to catch any errors you might have missed.
• Work with an experienced recruiter, reviewing CVs is part of their role so they’re perfectly placed to work alongside you and provide personalised advice!

The best way to make an impact with your application is an outstanding CV; tailoring it to the role you want, highlighting a range of experience and skills, and making it clear and concise are a brilliant way of preparing for success.

Alternatively, get in touch with our expert education recruitment consultants and they can provide you one-to-one guidance on your CV – as well as finding you a suitable role in the right environment that will help you progress!

Need help? Call us today on 0345 0655 370 to get started.