Useful resources
CV tips and advice
Not sure where to start? Follow the steps we've outlined below and top tips for creating a great CV.
CV tips and advice
You could be a teacher with 10 years’ worth of experience under your belt or a graduate searching for your first role within the education sector… either way, you will need an up-to-date CV that will make you stand out from all of the other applicants.
Here is a step-by-step guide to aid you with compiling a CV that headteachers or recruitment contacts should take notice of. Each section of advice appears in the order that it should be on your CV.
Things to remember
- Spellcheck and then check it again
- Read it through - does it make sense?
- Use one font and stick to one size (12 is normally good)
- Avoid lots of bright colours and pictures (even if you are an art teacher or DT graduate)
- Try to limit your CV to two pages (but do not exclude vital information)
- Be truthful – don’t exaggerate or embellish the truth
- Use plain English - no jargon or slang
1. Profile
The first time that a potential employer will learn about you is when they read your CV. Your profile should be short, sharp, and to the point. It should communicate who you are (personality-wise and professionally), what role you are searching for and what you could possibly bring to the table. It should be no more than 120 words and it can be written in a 1st or 3rd person format.
2. Personal Information
Place all of your contact details in this section, which should include an email, home address, mobile and landline numbers and Skype address (especially if you are overseas). It is important to double-check your contact details. If they are incorrect, you could miss out on your perfect role.
You could also include your nationality and whether you have a driving license and more importantly, a registered DBS.
3. Employment History
It can be quite difficult knowing which jobs are more important to list, especially if you have had various roles before embarking on a career in teaching or within the education sector.
At this point, it is important to present your CV, ideally as no more than two pages long. List your employment history in chronological order, starting from the most current and work back. Don't leave gaps; if there’s a role that you have to list which is not education-based, keep it short and sweet.
Start dates of employment should include the month and the year. Job descriptions/ responsibilities should be written using plain English (no jargon) and using simple and concise sentences. There’s nothing wrong with bullet points if your previous positions have numerous responsibilities associated with them.
4. Education
Again, as an education professional, your academic background is extremely important. It is becoming increasingly popular for headteachers and recruitment specialists to seek out candidates that have strong academic backgrounds. List your qualifications in chronological order, stating where (name of institute), when (month and year) and grade achieved. You will need to go as far back as your secondary education. Be honest though… do not be tempted to embellish your grades.
5. Skills
If you possess any additional skills such as IT or playing sports and therefore can offer your services for extra-curricular activities, or maybe you speak an additional language such as French or Spanish, this is the section to list them. Again, be truthful, don't be tempted to say that you speak Spanish fluently if you don’t. It could be very embarrassing!
6. References
Always ask permission from your preferred referee before nominating them. You will need to know your referee's full name, job title, and place of work. Their contact details are important so please ensure that they are correct before including it on your CV. If you prefer not to put your referee's contact details on your CV, then please state that references are available on request.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), previously known as a CRB, is a key requirement for all staff working in schools. Clarus Education will ensure all our candidates have a valid and enhanced DBS check before starting any position.
To ensure each and every one of our candidates is compliant and placed as swiftly as possible, Clarus Education uses online DBS applications to speed up the process. With the DBS update service, candidates can now subscribe annually (£13 per year) and ensure their DBS check is kept accurate and up to date.
Every candidate will require an enhanced DBS in place in order to start a role. If you have your own DBS, this will need to be registered with the updated service. If you do not have a valid or registered DBS, you will be required to pay for a new one to be processed.
The cost of an Enhanced DBS check is £48.16 for the online application. An Enhanced DBS check includes the same as a standard check, plus any additional information held by local police that’s reasonably considered relevant to the workforce being applied (adult or child workforce).
DBS update service
Once you receive your copy of the DBS, you will have 30 days from the date of issue to register with the update service. Failure to do so will make your DBS invalid.
If you have any additional questions regarding your DBS or application, please feel free to contact us.
Useful educational terms
Throughout education, there are a number of terms and abbreviations that are used on a daily basis. Some are well known, others not as much.
You'll find it helpful to familiarise yourself with them as much as possible when researching and starting a career in education - click below to see our list of the most common ones.