What Are Schools Looking For In Your CV?
In the competitive landscape of education nowadays, a well-crafted CV is your ticket to landing an interview. But what exactly are schools looking for when they review your CV? As a group of international educators, let us tell you the key elements that can make your CV stand out from the crowd.
Clear and Concise Formatting: First impressions matter, and in fact your CV's format sets the tone for your application. Schools prefer CVs that are neatly formatted, easy to read, and follow a logical structure. We recommend using clear headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting throughout to ensure readability. List your most recent school first.
Relevant Qualifications and Experience: We go through multiple CVs everyday and one of the biggest issues is the difficulty in locating the relevant teaching qualifications and teaching experience on candidates’ CV. Schools typically look for candidates with appropriate teaching credentials, such as a Bachelor's degree in Education (B.Ed) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a relevant subject area. Ensure to include all these details that demonstrate your experience in the classroom. Start with the most recent.
Passion for Education and Student Success: In essence, schools want teachers who are passionate about education and dedicated to the success of their students. Your CV should be used as a canvas to showcase your enthusiasm for teaching, your commitment to fostering a positive learning environment, and your ability to inspire and motivate students.
Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication and interpersonal skills are some of the most essential qualities for any teacher. Your CV should be used to highlight your ability to communicate clearly and effectively with your students, colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders.
Adaptability and Flexibility: In today's diverse educational landscape, adaptability and flexibility are key attributes for teachers. Schools value teachers who can adapt to their teaching style in order to meet the needs of diverse students and respond effectively to changing circumstances. Your CV should be used to showcase instances where you've demonstrated qualities like adaptability, implementation of differentiated instruction strategies, integration of technology into your lessons, or successful navigation to remote or hybrid learning environments.
Commitment to Continued Professional Growth: Finally, in our experience, we believe that schools seek teachers who are committed to their own professional growth and development. Your CV should highlight all the professional development opportunities you've pursued, such as workshops, conferences, or advanced coursework. No need to list them all, just those that are the most relevant.
Referees Details: Many schools are turned off by: References available on Request. List your referees (2, preferably 3) and make sure to include your current/last employer. It is an integral part of the safer recruitment process that most reputable schools follow. You will also be required to provide your most up to date DBS Certificate (or equivalent).
In conclusion, a well-crafted CV that effectively communicates your qualifications, experience, passion for education, and key attributes that you bring to the table will significantly enhance your chances of securing a teaching position. By focusing on these elements, we believe you can create a compelling CV that showcases your strengths and makes a positive impression on prospective employers.
Moreover, to assist teachers in crafting impactful CVs, we have put together a collection of some templates for CVs that you can use as references.
