Leaving student life and entering the “real world” of work can be terrifying, especially when you don’t know where to start. This is why we have put together some advice to help you write your first graduate teaching CV!

Going into the education sector offers many opportunities, in which you will gain knowledge about the role as well as experience. An important aspect of entering this profession is the ability to develop a variety of transferable skills including organisation, communication and teamwork.

So how do you begin?

1. Make sure you use a clear and neat structure / template

Recruiters are probably reading hundreds of CV’s a day; ensure that you keep it short, simple and straight to the point. Keep your CV within a page or two - don’t be scared of not having enough experience. Getting descriptive when writing about your previous experience will not make it better.

What to include:

• Name & contact details (email and phone number)
• Short personal statement
• Previous education & achievement
• Previous work experience
• Responsibilities (Prefect, leadership roles)
• Interests & extra curricular activities
• Use a font and size that can easily be read
• Use bold to highlight headings

2. How to write your personal statement

Your personal statement has a lot of impact on your first impression. Like your CV, keep this short and sweet, try and keep it within 100 words (3-4 sentences).

In this, you should include motivations, goals, personal qualities and passion. This is your chance to let the recruiter get to know YOU before they look at your experience.

What should you include?

• Where are you at with your career currently
• Personal qualities (charismatic, hard working)
• Key achievements

3. What is the correct vocabulary to use?

Anyone can write a CV, but using the right keywords will allow you to stand out. Using relevant vocabulary will help your CV be found online. Choose words that are special for your industry or subject specialism, use the job description as a guide:

• Secondary science
• SEN Support

Also keep in mind sentence starters: Liaise, Demonstrated, Acquired, Assisted, Managed etc.

4. Don’t forget to include placement / voluntary experience

The unpaid voluntary work and placements you have undertaken during University are often a crucial part of how you have gained knowledge and experience in the sector. Don't forget to add this information in too.

5. Focus on using your teaching skills, experience and responsibilities

Consider what you have achieved doing each role / responsibility and how you made an impact during this? Make some notes before you expand on skills and then linking this to teaching.

Include skills such as student motivations, leadership, lesson planning, organisation, curriculum development. Think about the steps you took to complete projects, who you liaise with, did you develop any new skills during this?

If you are finding it difficult to start, reflect on challenges you faced then jot down points on how you overcame them e.g. Created an activity to keep younger students focused.

Some skills you may want to include:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Critical Thinking

6. Extra-curricular Interests

Yes, work experience may arguably be the most important part of your CV however make sure you include your hobbies and personal interests in relation to your profession e.g. relevant to a school or could potentially inspire students.

When hiring, schools focus on what you can bring personally. A team of divers and engaging teachers that are able to stimulate students abilities and skills. Your passion for music, sport, environmental issues, languages etc. can be a key instrument in getting the job and is likely to come up during interviews.

7. Explain any gaps in your CV

In this industry, it is important to provide all information due to safeguarding policies and concerns. Include aspects of your life where you “took some time off due to other responsibilities” or “had a break from education due to travelling”.

Mention any productive activity that keeps you busy!

Caring Services have spent over 20 years forging links with schools all around the Liverpool and Merseyside area. We work with primary, secondary and special schools to bring to you all the latest school and education jobs.

We have many exciting Teaching Assistant and Cover Supervisor placements available. These are long term, short term as well as day to day supply work. Let us guide your first step into your career and find your perfect job. You can view our latest vacancies here.