Substitute Teacher Resume Example
Working as a substitute teacher can provide a rewarding career, involving managing classroom activities and implementing lesson plans. For a successful substitute teacher application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional substitute teacher resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a substitute teacher resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Read on to learn how to write a perfect substitute teacher resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Main sections of a substitute teacher resume
A successful substitute teacher resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections. If you're a candidate without much experience, you may wish to present your resume in a way that draws attention to your most valuable skills. These might not be in traditional work settings, so sections like education, projects, hobbies and skills can be more prominent.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Header and Personal Information
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Aaliyah James
aaliyah.james@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/aaliyah–james123
Resume Summary
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a substitute teacher.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for substitute teacher roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your substitute teacher resume summary.
Dedicated and adaptable educator with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and extensive experience as an Interim Educator. Skilled in classroom management, lesson planning, and fostering a positive learning environment. Proven ability to engage students and support their academic growth in diverse educational settings
Educator with some background in teaching and managing classrooms. Have worked in temporary teaching roles and planned lessons. Tried to create a good place for learning and helped students with their studies in various settings. Able to connect with students and support their learning journey
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your substitute teacher resume summary.
Skills
The skills section of a substitute teacher resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include subject matter expertise, effective communication skills or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the substitute teacher job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
Highlighting your hard skills
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a substitute teacher resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a substitute teacher resume are listed below.
- Classroom management skills
- Lesson plan execution
- Subject matter expertise
How to list soft skills on your substitute teacher resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a substitute teacher resume, see below.
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Effective communication skills
- Classroom management proficiency
Educational Achievements
In your education section, include details of your most relevant substitute teacher qualifications and educational achievements.
Typically, working as a substitute teacher requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Arts in Education degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your classroom management skills or lesson plan execution.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), 2017 - 2020
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
Certifications
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a substitute teacher. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a substitute teacher.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a substitute teacher resume:
- Teaching Certification, 2022
- CPR Certification, 2022
- First Aid Certification, 2022
Work Experience
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your substitute teacher skills. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to substitute teacher roles.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Interim Educator, January 2022 - Present
EduFlex Solutions, El Paso
- Successfully implemented adaptive learning strategies, increasing student performance by 30% in standardized test scores
- Developed and delivered an innovative curriculum, resulting in a 25% improvement in student engagement and participation
- Mentored a team of 10 new educators, fostering professional growth and enhancing overall teaching quality within the institution
Interim Educator, January 2022 - Present
EduFlex Solutions, El Paso
- Assisted in classroom activities, contributing to a positive learning environment
- Supported teachers in lesson delivery, enhancing student understanding
- Collaborated with staff to improve educational outcomes
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Jobseeker Tip:
Include transferable skills gained from any prior jobs, volunteer work, or personal projects, such as "managed schedules for a team of five" or "handled cash transactions accurately and efficiently." (1) Avoid using overly technical jargon and keep your descriptions straightforward for clarity. (2)
Optional Resume Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a substitute teacher resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Voluntary Work
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for substitute teacher roles. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
References aren't a standard substitute teacher resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best words to use in a substitute teacher resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Managed
- Instructed
- Facilitated
- Guided
- Organized
- Adapted
- Communicated
- Evaluated
- Supported
- Implemented
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Sample substitute teacher resume
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your substitute teacher resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
•
aaliyah.james@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/aaliyah–james123
Dynamic and dedicated substitute teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and extensive experience as an Interim Educator. Skilled in classroom management, lesson planning, and fostering a positive learning environment. Proven ability to adapt to diverse educational settings and effectively support students' academic and personal growth. Strong communicator and collaborative team player committed to educational excellence.
Interim Educator
2020
-2022
EduFlex Solutions (Anchorage)
- Successfully implemented a new curriculum, increasing student engagement and test scores by 15% within one academic year
- Coordinated and led professional development workshops for teachers, enhancing instructional strategies and classroom management
- Created and maintained a positive classroom environment, resulting in a 25% reduction in disciplinary actions and improved student morale
Classroom management skills
Lesson plan execution
Subject matter expertise
Adaptability and flexibility
Effective communication skills
Classroom management proficiency
Teaching Certification
CPR Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for substitute teacher resumes
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Write a compelling resume summary or objective to introduce yourself and your key substitute teacher skills.
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- Keep your substitute teacher resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Don't write any unnecessary personal details on your resume. Details such as age, gender or nationality can lead to unintentional recruitment bias.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your substitute teacher experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
- Don't use an email address that contains unprofessional content, and if necessary create a new, more professional email address.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your substitute teacher resume, you'll give yourself a better chance of ranking highly in the ATS screening and progressing to the next stage.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a substitute teacher resume
Now that you know how to write a professional substitute teacher resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the substitute teacher job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
As an experienced substitute teacher, you'll want your resume to showcase all of your relevant experience and achievements. As an experienced substitute teacher candidate, you'll want your resume to highlight your relevant work history. As such, consider going further back than the standard 10 to 15 years with your employment history. In your substitute teacher resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for substitute teacher jobs. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See an example resume headline below:
- Aspiring Educator and Classroom Facilitator
- Experienced and Adaptable Substitute Teacher
- Experienced Senior Substitute Teacher Available
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key takeaways for your substitute teacher resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/