Table of Contents
1
Introduction
Job hunting can be a competitive, stressful and drawn-out process. Make it easier and increase your chances of getting a job offer by having a resume that is written and formatted correctly, succinctly displays your top professional skills and achievements and is tailored to the specific job to which you are applying. Use our principal resume template for Word to craft a winning document, and follow the guidelines below to make your resume’s summary statement, skills, work history and education sections the best they can be.
2
Writing Your Summary Statement
The first section of your resume is the summary statement, exemplified in the principal resume template for Word. This is where you introduce yourself to employers because it is usually the first part of your document they read. The purpose of this section is to capture employers’ interest and persuade them to read the rest of your resume.
Your summary statement should be written in paragraph or bullet point form and be concise. Use three sentences or three bullet points to assert yourself as a top candidate for the position. Include the following:
• Two or three of your most impressive skillsets
• A relevant personality trait or outline of experience
• Your professional title
Use the examples below to better understand how to create your summary statement.
Example 1
Dedicated school principal with 15 years of experience in leading, mentoring and encouraging students and teachers. Fair disciplinarian with skills in program development. Practiced in budgeting and forecasting.
Example 2
• Enthusiastic principal skilled in parent-teacher relationships and staff and student support
• Proficient in budgeting and interpersonal communication
• Passionate about helping students achieve academic success
Example 3
Experienced principal known for positive attitude and fair disciplinary techniques. Adept at curriculum development and budgeting. Able to motivate both students and teachers to reach and exceed potential.
Example 4
• Principal with 13 years’ experience in supervising schools of various sizes
• Proficiencies in parent-teacher liaising and educational administration
• Excellent written and verbal communication and leadership skills
3
Writing Your Skills Section
The skills section usually follows the summary statement. Use this part of your resume to briefly highlight six to eight chief professional skillsets. When filling out the principal resume template for Word, use bullet points and short phrases so readers can easily scan. Don’t worry about going into detail in this section—that’s what the work history section is for. When compiling your list of skills, consider these best practices:
• Incorporate key skills listed in the job description to show you are a worthy candidate for the position
• Begin with your most important and relevant skills and continue to list accordingly
• Be honest and do not exaggerate when listing your talents
Below is a list of skills relevant to your industry. Use any that apply to you and the job at hand.
• Curriculum development
• Staff and student support
• Educational administration
• Extracurricular and community programs
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Parent, teacher and student liaison
• Interpersonal communication and leadership
4
Writing Your Work History Section
Your work history section is where you describe previous positions of your career. Hiring managers read this part of your resume to determine what you are professionally capable of as well as how you might benefit your next employer. That is why it is important to list key responsibilities as well as special achievements when filling out the principal resume template for Word. Here are some helpful tips:
• Use facts, numbers and other measuring methods to quantify your responsibilities and achievements
• Use strong and assertive action verbs in each description
• Include industry keywords and important phrases found in the job posting
Here are some excellent examples of what might be included in a principal’s work history section:
• Supervised the learning programs and policies of a school of 650 students and 55 faculty members
• Implemented progressive school curricula that resulted in a 15 percent increase in the number of students testing in the top percentile of state assessments
• Updated disciplinary policies to encourage students and reduce detentions, suspensions and expulsions by 20 percent
• Facilitated open communication between students, staff and parents with an open-door policy
5
Writing Your Education Section
Many school principal positions require a certain level or type of academic degree, making your education section an important part of your resume. Use the principal resume template for Word to briefly and clearly describe your educational background. Consider the following guidelines:
• Organize your qualifications from the highest to lowest levels of education
• Do not include your college GPA unless you very recently graduated
• Include any relevant certifications, short courses or seminars
When crafting your education section, look to the examples below:
Example 1
Administration/Principal Certification – 2010
State of New Jersey Department of Education
Master of Arts in Education Administration – 2009
The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township, NJ
Bachelor of Arts in English Education
The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township, NJ
Example 2
Principal License – 2013
Michigan Department of Education
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership – 2012
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Bachelor of Arts in Education – 2009
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
