A boring resume will get you nowhere- and the quickest way to get nowhere is by listing a bunch of job duties and other mundane details. If you include more achievements and accomplishments, it will help to make your band director resume stand out.
Since your resume is a marketing tool and you only have precious seconds to grab the attention of the reader, it is essential that your resume be focused on skills and accomplishments that set you apart from the competition.
One of the most important details about documenting your achievements is to make them quantifiable. It’s good to state that you, ‘Increased recruitment and retention,’ but it’s much more impactful to say that you, ‘Increased sixth grade enrollment by 100% and boosted middle to high school retention rates by 150% over three years.’
If you absolutely can’t come up with numbers to attach to accomplishments, consider using words such as ‘first,’ ‘only,’ ‘best,’ ‘most,’ ‘top,’ and ‘highest’ to describe your accomplishments. For example, ‘Consistently improved performance scores in band contests year-over-year,’ doesn’t contain a number, but the language helps give scope to the achievement.
Here’s a simple formula to help you phrase your accomplishments:
Accomplishment = Action Verb + Quantified Result + Timeframe
Start the process of documenting your achievements right away and make it a habit. No matter the stage of your career, it’s a good idea to have a list of your accomplishments and achievements on hand.
All too often, busy band directors get caught up in the moment of their win, or have already moved on to the next challenge, and forget to update their records. This is a common theme with teachers I work with- but a little forethought and planning can go a long way in keeping you prepared for anything.
The simplest and most convenient way to get in the habit of tracking your accomplishments is to set a calendar reminder once per month. You can keep track in a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, a note on your smartphone, in a notebook, or however is convenient for you. The important thing is that you actually follow through because it will help set you up for success down the road.
Your achievements help set you apart from everyone else, so it’s very important that you keep an accurate record and showcase them properly on your resume- when the time comes.
If you would like help with your resume, I’ll review it for free. Send the most recent copy and I’ll respond with helpful feedback you can use right away.
As an experienced Certified Professional Resume Writer, career specialist, former band student, music ed. major, DCI member, and teacher, I’ve helped many education professionals- including my husband (a former Head Band Director)- with results-driven career advancement strategies.
Visit ResumeLezlie.com/music-ed for additional information on services, FAQs and more.
“I wanted to let you know I’ve accepted an offer…Thank you for your help in cleaning up my resume and creating a cover letter. I’ve had a ton of interviews and talked with around 15-20 schools. I’ve had 5 interviews just this week!”
– Paul M.,Texas Band Director