Assistant Professor Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Assistant Professor resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
As an assistant professor, you’ll have the opportunity to make a big impact on your students and the field you’re teaching. You’ll have the freedom to design your own courses, choose your own textbooks, and build your own curriculum. You’ll also get the chance to build relationships with students and faculty members, as well as contribute to your department’s overall mission.
Before you can get started as an assistant professor, you’ll need to write a compelling resume that highlights your experience, skills, and achievements. Here are some tips and an example to help you write yours.
How to Write an Assistant Professor Resume
Here’s how to write an assistant professor resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters will read. And they’re the best way to showcase your experience and qualifications.
But many candidates make the mistake of using generic bullet points that don’t really tell a story or provide any context about their experience.
Instead, you should use your bullet points to tell a story about your experience. And that story should be specific and detailed.
For example, rather than saying you “taught undergraduate courses,” you could say you “taught undergraduate courses in biology, including cell biology, genetics, and physiology, to a total of 200 students each semester.”
The second bullet point provides much more detail about the nature of the course, the number of students involved, and the scale of the project. And it paints a clearer picture of the candidate’s experience.
Related What Is an Assistant Professor? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a job as an assistant professor, your resume goes through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This system is designed to scan your resume for certain keywords related to the job opening. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, the ATS might disqualify you from the pool of applicants.
The best way to make sure your resume makes it past the ATS is to include relevant keywords throughout all the sections of your document. You can find a list of commonly used keywords below, but keep in mind that they might vary from one position to another.
- Higher Education
- Curriculum Development
- Teaching
- Educational Technology
- Academic Advising
- Educational Leadership
- Student Affairs
- Staff Development
- Adult Education
- Instructional Design
- E-Learning
- Adult Education
- Student Development
- Classroom Management
- Program Development
- Research
- Community Outreach
- Distance Learning
- Student Engagement
- Public Speaking
- SPSS
- Psychology
- Qualitative Research
- Writing
- Social Media
- Education
- Literature Reviews
- Data Analysis
- Research Methodology
- Student Recruiting
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Assistant professors are often required to use technology in the classroom in order to engage students in learning. Some of the most common tools that assistant professors use are PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Docs. Additionally, many assistant professors use social media platforms to communicate with students and colleagues. So if you have experience with any of these tools, be sure to list them on your resume.
Related: How Much Does an Assistant Professor Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Make It Easy to Scan
Your resume should be formatted in a way that makes it easy to read and understand. This includes using left-aligned text, regular font size, and limited use of bolding, italics, and all-caps. You should also try to use no more than two lines per bullet point and have a separate skills section. Finally, make sure your formatting is consistent throughout the document.
Be Concise
There is no set length for a resume, but it is important to be concise and to get your point across quickly. A one-page resume is a good rule of thumb for recent graduates and those early in their careers, while a two-page resume is more common for those with more experience. When trimming down your resume, focus on removing irrelevant information and highlighting the most relevant experience.
Check Your Work
Proofreading your resume is one of the most important things you can do to improve your chances of getting the job you want. Make sure to spellcheck your resume, as well as have someone else read it over for you. Look for common mistakes, such as incorrect punctuation, incorrect verb tense, and common misspellings.
Consider Including a Summary
A resume summary statement can help to show potential employers how your skills and experiences can be applied to their company. By highlighting your best traits and skills, you can show that you are a perfect fit for the role. Summaries can be a great way to show off your personality, and explain why you are the best candidate for the job. When writing your summary, be sure to stay focused on the role you are applying for, and be clear about your intentions. Keep it short and sweet, and make sure to proofread your work before submitting your application.
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