I am trying to get job teaching and am also entering school to complete my masters degree this fall. I have sent out countless resumes and have gotten only 2 interviews that went no where. Something has to be wrong with my resume. Please help! I have posted it below so the format is probably off. Do I need to list GPAs from college since they will receive my transcripts?
SEEKING SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHING POSITION
PROFILE:
• Skillful in the design of challenging, innovative and educational activities that both engage and encourage students of varying interest and need.
• Active team member who efficiently collaborates with departmental team members and establishes quality relationships with students.
• Possess high-quality communication skills and the ability to present class materials in a variety of ways.
EXPERIENCE IN:
Cooperative Learning Teacher-centered Learning Student Motivation Student Assessment
Classroom Management Inclusion Education Student-centered Learning AP Instruction
CERTIFICATION STATE OF TEXAS TEACHER CERTIFICATION
History 8-12 (12/2008)
EDUCATION MASTER OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (05/2013)
Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
*Major in History, English & Sociology
POST-BACCALAUREATE STUDIES (12/2008)
Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
*Major in Secondary Education, GPA: 4.0
BACHELOR OF ARTS (2002)
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
*Major in History, GPA: 3.73, Minor in Government, GPA: 3.25
Member: Alpha Phi Omega Service Organization, Alpha Rho Chapter
TEXAS SCHOLARS HONORS DEGREE (05/2002)
Odem High School, Odem, TX, GPA: 3.95
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
MANOR HIGH SCHOOL Manor, Texas 9/2008 to 12/2008
Student Teacher - Full Time Experience
• Facilitate instruction of 100+
• Integrate technology classroom activities to boost student interest through multi-media presentations.
• Introduce Discovery Streaming activities in a cooperative learning environment.
• Participate in professional development, departmental & staff meetings.
AKINS HIGH SCHOOL, Austin, Texas 01/2008 to 05/2008
Field Observation – 25 Classroom Hours
• Assist in classroom management coverage of 11th grade AP U.S. History classes.
• Create cooperative learning activity for AP Exam review.
• Assist instructor in the assessment of students for 3 instructional periods.
OTHER WORK/VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Traffic Coordinator, Calendar Holdings, Austin, TX, October 2006 – August 2009
Weekend Manager, Candlewood Suites, Austin, TX, October 2004 – November 2005
Sales Expert, Lane Bryant, Austin, TX, October 2003 – May 2004
Volunteer Cheerleading Coach, Manor Area Youth League, Manor, Texas, (2008)
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I realized after I posted that i didn't complete a sentence during my edit before posting. It should read Facilitate instruction of 100+ students in 4 class.
1Thanks.
My guess, and unfortunately it is based upon needs I am assuming from a few years ago, is that the system is heavily laden with social studies teachers and bereft of things like math and science teachers. Although I don't think you need to include grade point averages, the fact that yours are so high can't hurt anything because they demonstrate that you are sincere.
2My suggestion is to call your local school board and ask where the openings for teachers are, if indeed any exist. I know, for example, that the need for substitute teachers dried up when people started getting laid off from positions.
A first scan of your resume will get probably 30 seconds. In that time, things they want have to pop out at them. Make sure that your resume is only a page and that the important items pop on the page. Sometimes this requires a professional, but on the other hand I have seen so-called professionals where you waste your money.
One minor niggling point on your profile: I would change each line to begin with some sort of action verb which shows your drive and determination. these words are things like Directed, Led, Created, Designed, Founded ...but I am sure you get the idea. Underline and bold each word. The appearance of your resume is as important as what ison it. I recommend better paper too as feel sometimes calls a reviewer's attention to a second glance. Always use white or off white.
In addition you don't state what you say on your cover letter. In my estimation, the cover letter is the make or break document. If you are sending a resume without a cover letter, your resume is probably going right in the trash. If you need some guidelines, send me a message and we can discuss it further.
However, keep in mind that my advice is free... and you know the old adage about what free advice is worth
1. Some more keywords that schools like to see are student-centered (or constructivist), differentiated, and interdisciplinary.
2. Don't forget your technology experience. There are lots of educational software that you may have learned while student teaching. Attendance? Grading?
3. What kind of staff development have you done? Recognizing child abuse? Formal and informal student discourse? Academic needs of the disadvantaged? Ethical and appropriate test preparation? Modifications for special education environments? Technology training?
4. If you really need a job, take off the "seeking social studies position." If you're certified in more areas, look in those, also. Beggars can't be choosers.
5. Take the irrelevant work experience out. Focus on any other kind of volunteer service you've done. Maybe what you've done with your sorority? I suggest taking that out of the school area and putting it with the volunteer activities.
6. What's going on in your interviews? Sometimes it's helpful to have a portfolio (whether spiral bound or on a CD) to leave with your interviewer. Also, leave the personal stuff out of your interviews. I once had an interview where the interviewee told me WAY too much about her personal life. And also said she wanted to teach because her mom told her to. Have some answers ready to the common questions like - what is your classroom management style, what was your best lesson (and point it out in your portfolio), what is an example of how you've differentiated your lessons, etc.
7. Make sure you're going through the appropriate channels to apply. Where I am, you have to fill out an electronic application with the county first then principals will call you. In my experience, dropping off resumes to schools doesn't work. It never makes it pass the secretaries.
- Hang in there. A lot of schools don't hire during the summer. They'll wait until after the 10-day count to see if they need any more teachers. Also, with budget cuts and constraints, class sizes are enlarging so that less teachers are needed. You may need to look into counties and states that you may not have expected. I know how frustrating this is for you. I thought I would have a job no problem right out of college especially since I was certified in science (social studies too but I couldn't bank on that). I finally applied in a county that I wasn't planning on working in. And, I wasn't hired until after the 10 day count. If you need any more ideas, feel free to PM me.
3Thanks for the tips. It is frustrating but I have gotten 3 interviews for this next week. One more questions, what should I wear? My last interviews have worn a black pin-stripe pantsuit but I don't know if that is the wrong vibe for a teacher interview. Any suggestions that might be better? Also, I have naturally curly red hair and I keep reading that I should straighten for interviews. Do you think it will matter if it looks professional.
4The outfit sounds good. I always heard to wear a bright color under the jacket. It makes you stand out more. Idk about the hair. Maybe wear it up?
5Wear a bright blouse, with a dark jacket and skirt. skirt shuold have a slit on the side and about knees lenghth. wear your back in maybe a ponytail, or something that looks profeesional and mature and it should look great.
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