teachers' cv writing guide
DESCRIPTION
This short presentation will point you in the right direction for producing a CV that will help you stand out from the pack when applying for your next teaching job.TRANSCRIPT
Teachers’ CV writing guideAKA Self-promotion, sales and marketing 101
Objectives• To provide you with advice, skills and resources
for advancing your career in (or out of) education• This session will enable you to develop an
effective CV that reflects your personal skill-set
The job application process
• Personal strengths and attributes; print media and online; networking
Career planning and sourcing jobs
• Cover letter, CV, selection criteria
Applying for suitable jobs
• 1st and 2nd Interview, try-out, testing
Securing the right job
Applying for suitable jobsPurpose: To get short-listed for interview
What Objective Perspective
Cover letter Demonstrate you can write, spell, research the school, structure a coherent and compelling argument
Personal voice, sense of self
CV (resume) Detail your relevant skills, knowledge and experience. Meet the job requirements
Legal document, objective and verifiable
Key selection criteria Express your role-specific views clearly, provide discussion points for interview
Theory and philosophy, backed up with evidence of past behaviour
Knowing your brandLifestyle
Imagination
Liberty regained Innovation
Simplicity
Hopes, dreams and aspirations
Passion
What are you known for?
Dispelling some job application myths
True or false?1. The employer reads the cover letter before reading the CV2. The school may receive 30 – 50 applications for some
vacancies3. It is possible to make an employment decision in less than
30 seconds4. Presentation is more important than content5. Each application receives an equal amount of consideration6. Employers are rational, unbiased, unemotional, 100%
reliable professionals who are never tired or stressed
Just Dandy – Sunday Age, 1 April
• How can you ensure you stand out from the crowd (60 applicants per position!)?
• Last week I received 154 applications for a receptionist position! 154!!!
Applying for jobs: The CV
• Résumé or CV? What’s the difference?• Almost exclusively sent in soft copy via email• Employers receive far more than previously– Worldwide accessibility of websites– Increasingly international workforce– Staff shortages
• Trend towards summaries of key points• Tailored to the role you are applying for
What does a great CV look like?
• Answer: How do you like your coffee?• Know your strengths and lead with them:
Highly qualified? Experienced? Sporty? Passionate about curriculum?
• The 1st page of your CV is PRIME REAL ESTATE. It is the cover of Time magazine. It is a Nobel Prize winner. Don’t waste it!
• Blow your own trumpet funky horn! Banish bashfulness. Kill or be killed.
Your CV: The basics
Do Don’t Depends
Keep to 2 – 4 pages Put Résumé or CV at the top Use minimal colour
Give your file a suitable name Put your photo Hyperlink to portfolio pag
e
Keep it ‘clean’ Use fancy fonts and graphics Link with social media
Keep formatting consistent:
Bullets, fonts, tables and tabs
Send in multiple copies or hard copies
Sections to include
• Personal Details (no need for a heading)• Personal statement (or Career overview)• Qualifications (or Education)• Teaching strengths
(or Key skills/achievements)(optional)• Employment history (or ‘Professional experience’)• Professional development and memberships• Activities and interests• Referees (3 max.)
CV style guide
• Personal statement– Strong personal voice; use I and me; convey passion
and enthusiasm• Key achievements– Dynamic language; past tense; omit 1st person; convey
objective voice; increase credibility, decrease risk• Key skills/qualities/competencies– Dynamic; objective; use strong adjectives to emphasise
nouns (e.g. extensive experience in, collaborative leadership style etc.)
Using dynamic language
• Using the list of dynamic verbs provided, re-write the following statements:– I was involved in planning for the NAPLAN– I am a science coordinator– I changed the middle school reporting structure– I sit on the annual open day committee– I supervise the underwater hockey club
• Now write three of your own dynamic achievement statements
Choosing referees
• Professional– Your current Principal or Deputy Principal– Head of Department or Head of Campus– Previous Principal, DP, HoD or HoC
• Personal– Seldom required– Possibly a parent or member of school community
• Check with them first! Confirm contact details
And finally...
• Be strategic, be sincere, don’t lie• Make every word count• Give yourself your best chance• Spell-cheque, poof-reed, spell-check, proof-read• Applying for jobs is an exercise in selling– Know what you are selling– Ensure it is what people want
• If you don’t get short-listed, it’s their loss: Try not to take it personally.
To download this presentation register at www.schooljobs.com.au
For more information about Steve Whittington see
www.oxfordeducation.com.au