Resume Writing and Interview Tips

By request, some resources to support resume writing and interview prep.

Career Planning – Resumes + Interviews

Resume Guides:

WWU Guide for educators: http://www.wwu.edu/careers/docs/resumehandout_foreducators.pdf

BCTF Guide for new teachers: http://bctf.ca/OpportunitiesForMembers.aspx?id=5500

https://wwu.optimalresume.com/

https://careercenter.depaul.edu/_documents/resume guide for teachers final revised.pdf

Resume Samples:

http://students.ubc.ca/sites/students.ubc.ca/files/BEd – Public School Teaching – Mia Kiota.pdf

http://www.tc.columbia.edu/i/a/document/14268_ElemEd.pdf

Sample Interview Questions:

http://www.clarke.edu/page.aspx?id=7876

Career Prep/Interview prep guides:

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/docs/CareerFair_WhatToWear.pdf

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/docs/cover_letters.pdf

Framing your Responses during an interview (a couple of frameworks that might help!):

STAR Approach where ST is for Situation/Task, A is for Approach/Action, and R is for Resolution/Results. Briefly describe the problem or situation, then talk about your approach to solving/addressing it, and end with a description of the positive resolution.

SOARA Framework

• Situation: Explain a situation/problem/challenge you encountered.
• Objective: What were you trying to achieve?
• Action: Concisely describe the actions you took; what you did.
• Results: Share the positive outcome that resulted in the actions you took.
• Application: Describe the lessons you learned; what you would do next; how this helped you grow.

Remember . . .

• This is Marketing. Your resume and the interview is an opportunity to sell yourself. Don’t be arrogant but also don’t be shy. Present yourself as a self-confident and positive individual who is the best person for this position.
• Best Fit. You are also interviewing the school to an extent. This is a two way conversation not an interrogation. You want to be sure that you are going to be happy with this position too.
• Dress for Success. Look neat, professional, and friendly. Be sure that what you wear conveys that you are organized, respectful, and self-confident.
• Do Your Homework. Use the library, the Internet, ask friends and colleagues, and find out in advance about the school’s philosophy, extracurricular activities, special programs, expenditure per student, and typical class size. The more you know, the better equipped you are to ask good questions.
• Ask Yourself Why. Interviewers will ask you why you want to teach, so it’s a good idea to work this out for yourself
• Prepare your portfolio. (not necessary for early interviews of career fair) You may wish to put together a project or two that shows your strengths best. Include photos and writing samples that show your approach to curricula, cooperative learning, how you set up your room — and show them off with pride. This takes some time (better after practicum) and often you do not have time in the interview to show it. You may wish to send it along with your resume digitally depending on how application is submitted.
• Write a Thank you note.