CV tips for teaching assistants

Looking to score that dream teaching assistant role? Well, listen closely because your CV is the key to unlocking that opportunity!

Whether you’re a seasoned teaching assistant or venturing into the classroom for the first time, you’ll want to make sure that your CV truly showcases your skills. It all comes down to highlighting any practical classroom experience and the personal skills that show you care about making a difference to those you support.

Ready for some pro tips to shape your teaching assistant CV for a new role?

Tailor your CV

Put your qualifications centre stage

Use specific examples

Demonstrate flexible ways of working

Don’t forget the presentation!

Tailor your CV

When it comes to applying for teaching assistant roles, you might be tempted to send out the same old CV to every school on your list. But hold up! By tailoring your CV to each individual role, you'll stand a much better chance of securing the role. Think about how you can incorporate the school’s ethos or link in your experience more directly to the specific teaching assistant role you are applying for.

Taking the time to research the school and the role reflects well on you and should have a positive influence on the individual looking to hire. And who knows? It just might give you the edge you need to land your dream job!

Put your qualifications centre stage

If you’re an experienced TA and you have completed a vast array of training and development programmes, put that information front and centre. By that, we mean to make it stand out at the top of your CV.

Sure, different schools have their own specific requirements for teaching assistants, but you can still demonstrate your suitability and make an immediate impression.

And when the job description specifically asks for certain qualifications, make sure you list the relevant ones you have, not forgetting to include any other applicable credentials, such as:

• Educational qualifications in GCSE Maths, English and Science (A-level or equivalent if you have them)
• Certificates for health and safety training
• First aid training
• Valid DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check

Use specific examples

Your CV is the perfect opportunity to showcase your skills and experience, and it's important that you do so in a way that stands out. One way to do this is by using specific examples.

1. If you have previous experience in a classroom, talk about the support you provided and the positive outcomes that resulted. Use metrics wherever possible to demonstrate your achievements.
2. If you’re considering a TA job for the first time, talk about how you have applied some of the key skills in other environments and how you intend to use those skills in your new position as a TA.

Remember, you don't need to go overboard with examples. Just a few well-thought-out points can make a big impact and show that you are the right candidate for the job.

Demonstrate flexible ways of working

The nature of being a teaching assistant means that staff are often required to think on their feet, so you should look to demonstrate how you can be flexible in any situation.

You may want to showcase creative ways of boosting engagement among pupils or detail how you went above and beyond in a previous role to enhance someone’s experience.

Don’t forget the presentation!

You want to leave a lasting impression, right? The key thing to remember here is that it's not just about listing your experience and qualifications. You want to make it engaging and inspiring to read. An attention-grabbing CV is well-organized - it uses bullet points and clear headings to highlight your skills and experience.

Plus, a well-presented CV shows that you are a professional that takes pride in your work. So, take the time to make your CV stand out and show just how committed you are.

Take the first step towards a rewarding career in education

So there you have it. Our top tips for creating a standout teaching assistant CV that will be sure to grab a recruiter or hiring manager's attention. All that's left to do is apply for your next role! Or, why not submit your CV? Your local education recruitment consultant will get in touch with you shortly.

Get ahead of things and check out the best answers for common TA interview questions to help you. Take it from us, nothing highlights a star employee better than someone who is well-prepped.