If you are one of those individuals who rarely receives any positive feedback from online teaching job applications, then this post will shed light on how you need to optimise your online job application.
The first place most people go to when looking for a new teaching opportunity is TES or other well known job boards. Teaching applications via online channels have become the norm with various platforms available all across the world, giving you the opportunity to browse through thousands of the latest job vacancies.
Understanding How Education Recruiters or Employers Filter Applicants
Most online teaching job application platforms let you browse the various available jobs without having to sign up for any sort of account. However, the minute you want to apply, sign up is required. Once this happens, you have an online profile to develop on that particular platform. You may add your CV to the database, giving you the opportunity to be searched/found. Most platforms allow recruiters and employers the option to browse through the “CV database”, you must keep this in mind when filling out your profile as it is vitally important.
Education recruiters and employers do not have the time to look at every single application, and generally, when they search their database they would use keywords to narrow down the search parameters of teaching applicants. E.g. “Teacher of Humanities Manchester” or “Year 6 Teacher London”
The system would also use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to filter through the multitude of teacher applications/CV’s and order the profiles that best match the job description/search criteria. An ATS is filing cabinet with a ‘CV robot” that searches for keywords/terms on a CV/profile, then selecting the one with the best matching criteria to creating a shortlist for the hiring manager to look at.
How to Optimise the text content of your teaching CV/Application.
Now that you understand how your CV/application would be filtered through an online job portal/databases, it’s time to optimise your teacher CV so that you are one of the individuals that make it through the “CV robot” to get an interview.
Your CV has to be readable by the ATS algorithms, while having pictures and graphics on your CV may be something that you think looks great, unfortunately, the “CV robots” are not able to read them.
The same goes for the Design Technology and Art teachers out there, having a graphic or arty CV might seem like a fantastic way to showcase your design and creative skill set, the ATS, would not be able to read it.
Importance of Job Keywords
As mentioned, the ATS searches for keywords in your CV, and you would need to include all relevant keywords pertaining to the vacancy you are applying for. For instance, if the vacancy is for a Head of Business Studies who has experience dealing with demotivated learners, engagement, and outstanding teaching are all important keywords that must, where possible, be included on your CV.
Readability of Your CV
When writing your teacher CV/application it is important to remember that whoever is reviewing it, has reviewed hundreds of CVs/applications. Keep to one font, and standard font sizes for headings and the body of the text making sure your headings are bold enough to catch the eye. It is important to keep your CV to two pages. Think less is more.
Ensure you upload your CV in a readable Docx or PDF, many pdf converter websites take a snapshot of your CV so it is almost like a picture instead of a PDF. So it would be best if you save it as a pdf.
If you think you need some more help optimising your CV, feel free to book a one-on-one CV & LinkedIn Review with Hadfield Education.
