Professional Profile: Expand your career potential
No one understands the importance and value of education quite like teachers do. Your role as a teacher gives you first-hand experience witnessing how knowledge transforms the lives of students and opens doors to new possibilities. The professional profile of your CV, otherwise known as the professional summary or a professional statement, is the perfect place to channel your passion, expertise and enthusiasm for education. The purpose of this section is to provide potential employers with a professional overview of who you are and what makes you a great candidate for the role you’re applying for.
To craft the perfect professional profile, you’ll want to highlight any strengths, qualifications or professional experiences that can help you add value to the institution or school you’d like to join. While this section should be brief and no longer than 5 sentences, it’s important that each word counts, and that your professional profile is carefully tailored to the requirements listed in the job description. If you need some help or inspiration, check out our example below!
The primary goals of the professional profile:
- Provides employers with an overview of who you are as a teaching professional
- Summarises who you are in 3-5 sentences, making your application easier to remember
- Captures the interest of potential employers, enticing them to read the rest of your CV
- Introduces you in a fun, interesting and engaging way – no hard-to-read blocks necessary!
Passionate, professional and purpose-driven teacher with over nine years experience helping students achieve their academic goals. Firm believer in the power of education and that all students should have access to high-quality education. Proficient in a range of skills including classroom management, curriculum design and instruction of the English language. Focused on creating positive learning experiences for all students.
Employment History: The most rewarding journey
Employers value job experience as it provides them with key insights into how you can contribute to their school or institution. Your employment history section should help employers understand the specific skills, strengths or expertise you've gained throughout the course of your career. Here, we recommend listing details about each relevant job position you’ve had, including the name of each organisation, school or institution, the location, the length of time you spent in each position and any important roles or responsibilities you possessed in each job role. Check out our example of a great employment history section here:
English Teacher at Coláiste Eire, Galway
February 2016 - Present
- Created comprehensive English lessons plans for students, incorporating texts and films to explore key themes discussed in the classroom
- Graded homework, assignments and examinations, providing feedback and recommendations to students and parents where necessary
- Assisted the Coláiste Eire English Department with creating the English curriculum for students, ensuring a diverse range of texts and themes
- Helped students in need additional support manage their learning goals and improve their academic performance
Teacher at St. Michael's Primary School, Galway
August 2008 - November 2015
- Created English, Maths and Science lesson plans in accordance with the St. Michael's Primary School curriculum
- Graded homework, group projects and assignments, providing feedback to improve academic performance when necessary and required
- Set classroom learning objectives, encouraging students to reflect on their learning experiences and highlight areas for improvement
- Met with parents and caregivers to discuss student academic progress
Skills: Your career superpowers
Teachers play a key role in shaping the future by nurturing and educating students. With this responsibility, having the right skills is essential! Are you fluent in another language? Did you specialise in or have a passion for certain subjects like Irish or Science? Employers will be looking for skilled candidates that can add value to the classroom and leave a positive impact upon students. Before listing any skills, it's important to read the job description over carefully to identify any key skills employers have listed in the job description. Tailored job applications nearly always have the best response rate from employers, so if you possess any of the skills employers are looking for in the job description, be sure to include these in your skill section!
Here’s a great example of what skills to include in this section:
- English Language Skills
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Philosophies
- Classroom Management
- Communication Skills
- Leadership Skills
Education: Your competitive edge
We saved the easiest section of your CV for last: the education section! This is your chance to shine, and in this section, you should highlight your academic background, qualifications, and any relevant certifications you have obtained that allow you to practice teaching. You'll need to list details about your formal qualifications, including your Bachelor's degree or higher. Include the name and location of your institution, the duration of time you spent at each institution (usually in years) and any outstanding academic accomplishments or awards you may have received during your education.
Check out our example here:
Master of Education at the National University of Ireland, Galway
September 2007 - June 2008
Graduated with a Master of Education
Bachelor of Arts at the National University of Ireland, Galway
September 2002 - June 2006
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education
