The Importance Of A Teacher Resume Objective Statement

When it comes to job seeking "do's and don't's" there is so much "advice" floating around the Internet, as well as between the stacks at your local library, that it can get down right confusing.

You might read, for example, on themuse.com  that "pretty much everyone agrees that objective statements are out of fashion". This may be true if you are applying for a new-age gig in the Silicon Valley, but for job seeking teachers the importance of a resume objective statement are the same as they were before the advent of Google and YouTube.

In fact, Monster.com says: "Career changers and entry-level workers should consider incorporating their career objectives into their resumes because their goals may not be clearly defined by their work history alone. If you're targeting a particular position, add a formal objective statement and reference the job opening. The hiring manager will see you took the time to customize your resume and that the opportunity is important to you."

That's great advice for those completing alternative certification programs because the majority of those enrolled are recent college grads or career changers, such as military and emergency services professionals looking to take their life skills and real world experience into the classroom or even stay-at-home mothers who are ready to return to the workforce after an absence to raise their children.

So, you need a teacher resume objective statement, but what does that mean?

Purpose of the Teacher Resume Objective Statement

The purpose of the teacher resume objective statement is to capture the reader's attention and get them not only to read your resume but to be excited about the prospects of hiring you to teach at their school.

The resume objective statement isn't very long. It should be just two to three lines, so you will want to craft it to be concise and engaging.

You can break the teacher objective resume statement into three sections if you want:

• Who are you? (Are you an experienced teacher, a recent college grad, a career-changer? Introduce yourself to the reader)
• What do you want? (You want a specific job, so list it. Be as specific as possible. You aren't just "seeking a teaching position", but you are "seeking a social studies position at Freedom High School")
• What can you bring to the table? (What skills and talents can you offer to the school if hired?)

You want to start off with a teacher resume objective statement that is a boilerplate for future editions, but if you can tailor each resume and objective statement for a specific position, listing the actual job opening and school, then it will show the resume reader that you have done your due diligence. 

You can add key teaching skills that will capture the imagination of the resume reader such as:

• Patience
• Tolerance
• Decision making
• Critical thinking
• Organization and planning
• Communication skills
• Self-motivation
• High level of energy
• Passion
• Flexibility
• Creativity

Of course, only use those items in your teacher resume objective statement that you can back up in an interview. You can't call yourself an "experienced teacher" when you haven't taught before or you can't call yourself "tech savvy" if you have trouble getting an attachment to open in your email.

Examples of Teacher Resume Objectives

Keeping in mind the Who Are You, What Do You Want and What Can You Bring to the Table questions, here are some examples of teacher resume objectives that work:

• Highly-motivated individual looking to join the social studies department at Freedom High School where my passion to teach can help enlighten and educate young minds.
• Experienced teacher seeking a full-time position with the Albany Unified School District; my goal is to tirelessly work to increase student performance while meeting the children's developmental needs.
• Certified teacher with successful history of motivating others wants to join the Sanders Corner Elementary School staff where I can utilize my positive and flexible teaching style.
• Military veteran transitioning to the classroom seeks English teaching position at Eagle High School where I look forward to applying my dedication and above and beyond the call of duty work ethic towards an exciting new challenge.
• Creative and resourceful bi-lingual teacher looking for ESL opportunity in the Conroe ISD where I can make a significant difference in the community with my passion.
• Experienced mentor seeking a middle school teaching position at Johnson Junior High which will allow me to use my team learning experience and advance verbal communication skills to help students get ready for the transition to high school.

Remember, the goal is to have the resume reader come away from your teacher resume objective statement and know precisely who you are, what teaching job you are seeking and what exactly you can bring to the classroom.