NOTE: Any mention to the Resource Center is in reference to the documents that come with my book.
In this post, we will discuss the importance of a resume. Many schools prefer that you submit a curriculum vitae in lieu of a resume, but I did want to discuss some important points about resumes as some of the information applies to curriculum vitae (CVs) as well.
The resume that you use when applying for an online teaching job will structurally be the same as one that you may use in applying for a job in your professional field. You want to focus on specific key areas that will make you stand out. You still want to list your professional experience, but you want to tailor it toward the job to which you are applying. A winning resume goes beyond the basics of contact information, chronological work experience, and your education. To have your resume stand out above the hundreds of others, you need to take it to another level. You will hear me mention many times that you need to make a good impression with these schools when applying to them. Your resume gives a potential employer a powerful message about what kind of employee you would be. With only a few seconds to capture the attention of the reader and showcase your extensive skills, you need to make the most of your resume. Feel free to take a look at the sample resume in the Resource Center (this comes with my book) that is modeled after the one that I use today.
Here are a few tips that I have about writing an effective resume for an online teaching job.
Spell Check – Before you submit your resume, make sure you give it a spell check using your word processing software. Let someone else take a look at it. There is nothing more embarrassing than having typos on your resume.
Length – This is an area where I have heard varying ideas. Some people say, “No more than one page, no matter what!” While others say, “Tell them everything you can about yourself!” The resume that I currently use is two pages long and I feel that it is sufficient for letting the hiring person know everything they need to know about me at this point. Go into enough detail to give an accurate view of your skills, but don’t make it so long that the reader falls asleep. You do not need to list every project you have ever worked on. Summarize, but be inclusive.
Format – This is pretty basic. You need to make you resume appealing to the eye and easy to read. You do not want to make the reader have to hunt for information or get confused. Keep it simple, but neat.
Basics – A technical resume should include the following information sections.
An objective: 1-2 sentences describing what you want, customized for the job you are applying for.
Education – Any degrees you have completed or are working on, as well as relevant classes or certifications. Only include your GPA if it is very high.
Experience – List your past employers and/or major projects you have worked on. Start with the most recent.
Technology Summary – List only the technologies you know well.
Have More Than One Version – The resume that you use to apply to an online job, may be different than the one you would use in applying to another job. You want to give them the information that they want. Point out the skills that are important to them, not you.
Get Your Resume Out There – Recruiters and hiring managers like to search for candidates. If your resume (or bio) is not someplace where an employer can find it, then they don’t know you exist. In addition to the regular job boards, consider posting your resume on personal web pages, as well as networking tools. Example: Linkedin.com
Objective – Your objective needs to be keyed in on the job you are applying for. I once heard someone say, “A resume which doesn’t have an objective is like having an airplane ticket with no destination.” The objective is huge! Tell your employer exactly what you are looking for. Make it sound focused and dynamic. It doesn’t have to be more than one statement, and you should avoid using “I” or “my.” The one that I use is, “Passionate, devoted educator and criminal justice professional seeking an adjunct position in the online/distance education program of a college or university.”
Accomplishments – Employers are not only looking for WHAT you did, but HOW WELL you did it. Don’t simply list all of your duties and responsibilities. Make at least one or two bullet items illustrating what you achieved. For example, “reduced theft by 20%.” Put these in bold so they catch the reader’s eye.
Personal Attributes – When I read a resume, I like to know more about the person. It’s difficult to convey this in a document, so add a section titled “personal attributes.” List several power words that describe you and your work style and put them in a phrase. Words that work well include, enthusiastic, high energy, strong work ethic, strategic thinker, innovative, creative, hard working, dedicated, loyal and team player. Just remember to think about what exactly you want your resume reader to know about you, and keep it professional. Things like “strong family man” and “active church member” may be nice attributes, but they don’t relate to the job and therefore, don’t belong on your resume.
These are just a few items that I find important when discussing a resume. Take your resume to the next level by including these aspects in your resume. You will convey more about what you can offer an employer and stand out above the others.
How does your resume look? What are some areas that you could improve?
