As an experienced Certified Resume Writer who hands out free resume reviews, I have seen a lot of band director resumes…A. LOT. And most of those resumes have mistakes. It’s okay, everyone makes mistakes, but your resume is one document that should have the least amount.
Grammar mistakes aren’t the only issues either- resumes that utilize outdated concepts, have poor formatting and/or include underwhelming content are all very common.
There also exists an abundance of myths, misconceptions, and out-of-date (or just bad) advice about resumes that continue to circulate, especially through colleges and universities.
To help you get past the nonsense and write a great resume, I’ve created this list of clarifications for common myths, misconceptions and mistakes.
RESUME TEMPLATES
Most templates use outdated formatting techniques and are extremely generic by nature- it’s in your best interest to avoid them. Try instead to create a document tailored to your greatest strengths and attributes, which highlights why you are the one for the job. Great formatting is one of the best ways to showcase your skills, experience and accomplishments.
RESUME LENGTH
Length is determined by relevance. If you have enough relevant content, a two-page resume is perfectly acceptable- there’s no need to try to squeeze everything into one page. However, a one-page resume is still common for new graduates and people in a career transition. A three-page resume is rare, but occasions exist for its use. If you’re not sure how long your resume should be, send it over for a free review.
RESUME CONTENT
The top 1/3 of a resume should be an introduction and positioning statement. Your name should be at the top and highly visible, followed by your location and contact information- a full address is not necessary. You can also use this space to indicate you are available to relocate.
After your personal info, create a professional summary to include what you’ve accomplished and what you intend to accomplish. This paragraph should also help the reader to visualize you in the position.
A common mistake is to use an Objective section- this is an outdated and irrelevant concept. Employers want to see what you have to offer before they are interested in what you want.
Also in your introduction, be sure to include a listing of your most relevant skills related to the position you are targeting. Don’t forget to include your main instrument(s) and other important details about yourself. If you are targeting a variety of different positions (middle school head vs. high school head, etc.) you may want to adjust these skills to best fit each job description.
In the experience section, it’s best practice to list in reverse-chronological order and format the employment dates to be highly visible. A common mistake in this section is to focus on job duties over achievements. Past accomplishments help to define and show what you are capable of, and what sets you apart from other candidates.
Always include an education section. If you have no teaching experience, try highlighting your most relevant education information before your job history. In this section, stick to the rule of relevance and only include information that will be beneficial for a particular position. Certifications can also be listed here or in their own section, depending on your situation.
Optionally, a section can be added to include professional affiliations and/or publications. Including these helps to set you apart from your competition.
Finally, I highly recommend including a section for references on any band director resume. A listing of 4-8 references with a name, title (current or former), phone number and email address is a solid base. As a quick tip, be sure that your references, (a) know you and know they are a reference, (b) are willing to speak positively on your behalf, and (c) have a positive relationship with the hiring district, school and administration.
TYPOS
Everyone makes mistakes- just don’t make the mistake of sending your resume to a prospective employer with any typos. Use spellcheck, read it backwards, have a colleague check it, and then send it me for a free review before you apply to your next gig.
If you have any questions about resumes, cover letters, job interviews, searching for job, or if you want a free review of your resume by a Certified Resume Professional, send the most current version to:
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.
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