Resume Writing For Teachers - A Teachable Moment

A teacher recently contacted me about resumesubmitting recommended applicant resumes at a
writing for teachers. When I asked how her jobboard meeting later that day. Needless to say I
hunt was going she related the following story.never heard from him."
"I thought I had a great teacher resume," she told"Do you have any ideas," she asked.
me. "After sending out over 319 resumes for full"Have you considered writing two teacher
time elementary positions I finally got tworesumes?" I responded.
interviews. The first one called me in, interviewed"Wouldn't that be contradictory?" she queried.
me, and then sent me an email telling me I wasResume writing for teachers often requires listing
over qualified. The interviewer was a member ofmore credentials and skills than some other types
the school board and though I was seeking a fullof resumes. Write two resumes. Create a
time elementary teaching position, he saidteacher resume that is as relevant as possible to
because of my lack of skills he would onlythe job and school where you are applying. Tailor
consider me to start as a substitute with athe resume as much as possible for the position.
minimum one day a week guarantee. If aGet inside information if possible. Contact the hiring
substitute was not needed any particular week Imanager or another teacher at the school and
could help in the high school library. "ask questions about the school. Get any
"I was shocked," she added. "I had been worriedinformation you can about the position. Then if
about being overqualified for the position and hadyou feel you have more to offer that could over
'dumbed down' my resume. I left off my teachingqualify create a second resume wit all of your
credentials for science and two workshopqualifications and have a copy handy when you go
certificates for social skills development at theto interviews. Make sure the second resume is
elementary level. I tried to explain that I hadnot contradictory but contains your additional
these certificates but the gentleman lookedcredentials and skills. When you need to hand this
skeptical. Then he told me he wished I hadresume to an interviewer you will appear
included that on my resume because he would beprepared and have back up for your claims.