4 Tips for Optimizing Your Paraprofessional Resume
If you’re pursuing a career as a paraprofessional in NY, it’s important for you to craft a strong resume to stand out against other candidates. Whether you’re a third-year paraprofessional or just entering the field, optimizing your resume can make all the difference. It’s especially important to optimize your paraprofessional resume due to a majority of companies using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. In this blog we list our 4 tips for optimizing your paraprofessional resume.
4 Tips for Optimizing Your Paraprofessional Resume
1.Use Relevant Keywords
A very important practice when drafting up your resume is to plug in keywords. Keywords are phrases or words that are relevant and important to the specific job’s requirements. Some examples of paraprofessional keywords or phrases would include special needs education, instruction support, classroom management, and behavior analysis. Using keywords or phrases is especially important if the employer uses an ATS system. ATS systems rely on specific keywords in order to match your qualifications and skills to the job requirements. If you neglect to insert keywords throughout your resume, it may result in your resume being overlooked resulting in receiving fewer interviews. On the other hand, you don’t want to over stuff your resume with the keywords. Plug them in moderately and naturally in order to not raise any red flags.
2. Tailor Your Resume to NY Paraprofessional Requirements
Each state has their own set of requirements in order to be employed as a paraprofessional. In New York, it is standard practice for all paraprofessionals to have a high school diploma or a GED. It is also required to pass a background check and get fingerprinted with the New York State Education Department. Although not required by all school districts, if you have completed certifications such as the New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) for paraprofessionals or the Parapro Assessment, you will want to highlight this on your resume. It’s also important to note that since New York is a highly diverse state, if you’re bilingual schools will highly value you as a candidate.
3. Use Action Verbs
Potential employers want to see measurable impacts. Action verbs help create and envision the impact of your skills when you’re delivering information to another reader. Instead of using generic verbiage, use action-oriented language to describe your achievements. For example, instead of listing “supported classroom activities”, write something along the lines of “supported a classroom of 25+ students, including instructing small groups and one-to-one tutoring, resulting in an increase of improvement in test scores by 25%”. By implementing action verbs throughout your resume, you’re likely to grab the attention of the hiring manager which can set you apart amongst the other candidates.
4. Include Relevant Soft and Hard Skills
Your resume should list both soft and hard skills. Soft skills are behavioral traits such as communication, time management, and empathy whereas hard skills are related to specific training and technical knowledge. Hard skills can be anything from specific software knowledge to being fluent in multiple languages. Examples of hard skills for paraprofessionals include lesson planning, behavioral intervention strategies, IEP creation and implementation, and first aid certification.
Final Thoughts
The first step to landing a position as a paraprofessional in NY starts with an outstanding resume that reflects everything you have to offer. By using this guide on 4 tips for optimizing your paraprofessional resume, you’ll be sure to grab the attention of the hiring manager. Editing your resume to use relevant paraprofessional keywords, tailoring your resume to specific New York’s specific requirements, and showcasing your skills, you’ll position yourself as one of the top candidates. Schools are always searching for qualified paraprofessionals as the demand for paraprofessionals is increasing. If you’re ready to make a difference in students’ lives, check out our current hot jobs and start your next paraprofessional job in NY today!