You're looking for a new job. How can you make your resume stand out?

1 Tailor your resume

One of the most common mistakes that job seekers make is sending the same resume to every position they apply for. This can make your resume look generic and irrelevant, and it can also miss the opportunity to highlight your specific fit for the role. To avoid this, you should tailor your resume to each job posting, using the keywords, skills, and qualifications that match the employer's needs and expectations. For example, if the job description mentions that they are looking for someone with experience in curriculum development, instructional coaching, and data analysis, you should emphasize these aspects of your educational leadership experience in your resume.

2 Showcase your achievements

Another way to make your resume stand out is to showcase your achievements and results, rather than just listing your duties and responsibilities. Hiring managers want to see how you have made a positive impact on your students, staff, and school community, and how you have contributed to the improvement of educational outcomes and quality. To do this, you should use quantifiable metrics and evidence to demonstrate your achievements, such as test scores, graduation rates, awards, grants, or feedback. For example, instead of saying that you led a team of teachers, you could say that you led a team of 15 teachers who increased student proficiency by 25% in math and reading.

3 Highlight your skills

Your resume should also highlight your skills and competencies that are relevant to the educational leadership role you are applying for. These skills can include communication, collaboration, problem-solving, decision-making, innovation, and vision. You should show how you have used these skills in your previous or current roles, and how they have helped you achieve your goals and overcome challenges. You can also include any certifications, trainings, or professional development courses that you have completed or are currently pursuing that demonstrate your skills and commitment to learning.

5 Include a cover letter

Finally, you should always include a cover letter with your resume, unless the employer specifically states otherwise. A cover letter is a chance to introduce yourself, explain why you are interested in the position and the organization, and showcase your personality and passion. It is also a way to expand on your resume and provide more details and examples of your educational leadership experience and achievements. You should tailor your cover letter to each job application, using the same keywords and skills that you used in your resume, and address it to the hiring manager or the person in charge of the recruitment process.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?