Common Mistakes Teachers Make on Their CVs (And How to Fix Them)
Career Management, Development

Your teaching CV is the first impression a school or recruiter has of you. If you are not getting interview invites, your CV could be letting you down. Many teachers make simple yet costly mistakes on their CVs—mistakes that can result in being overlooked for roles.

In this guide, we highlight the most common CV mistakes teachers make and how to fix them to increase your chances of securing your ideal teaching job.

1. A Generic or Unfocused Personal Statement

The Mistake:
Your personal statement is vague, too long, or fails to highlight what makes you a great teacher.

How to Fix It:
Make your personal statement concise, engaging, and tailored to the job. Focus on your teaching philosophy, experience, and key strengths in two to three sentences.

Example of a strong personal statement:
“Enthusiastic and dedicated primary school teacher with five years of experience in delivering engaging and differentiated lessons. Passionate about fostering an inclusive classroom environment and improving student outcomes through creative teaching strategies.”

2. Listing Duties Instead of Achievements

The Mistake:
Many teachers simply list their job responsibilities without demonstrating the impact they have had.

How to Fix It:
Use action words and include specific achievements. Show how you made a difference in the school or for your students.

Example:
Incorrect: “Taught English to KS3 and KS4 students.”
Correct: “Designed and delivered engaging English lessons for KS3 and KS4, leading to a 15% improvement in GCSE results over two years.”

3. Poor CV Structure and Formatting

The Mistake:

  • A CV that is too long (more than two pages)
  • Overuse of different fonts, colours, or unstructured paragraphs
  • Key details buried in the document

How to Fix It:

  • Stick to two pages maximum with a clear, structured layout
  • Use simple, professional formatting (Arial or Calibri, size 11-12)
  • Organise sections clearly:
    • Personal Statement
    • Teaching Experience
    • Qualifications
    • Key Skills
    • Additional Training & CPD

4. Not Tailoring the CV to the Job

The Mistake:
Sending the same CV to every job without adapting it for the role.

How to Fix It:

  • Read the job description carefully and mirror its language in your CV
  • Highlight the specific skills and experience the school is looking for
  • Customise your personal statement and key skills section for each job

5. Overlooking Key Skills and CPD (Continuous Professional Development)

The Mistake:
Not including essential skills or failing to showcase professional development courses.

How to Fix It:

  • Add a key skills section with specific teaching-related skills, such as:
    • Lesson planning and curriculum development
    • Behaviour management strategies
    • SEN and differentiation strategies
    • Assessment and progress tracking
  • List relevant CPD courses and training that strengthen your CV.

Example:

  • Safeguarding Level 3 (2024)
  • Behaviour Management in the Classroom (CPD Course, 2023)

6. Ignoring the Power of Keywords

The Mistake:
Recruiters and schools often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan CVs for keywords. If your CV does not include the right terms, it may not even be seen by a human.

How to Fix It:

  • Use keywords from the job advert in your CV
  • Common teaching CV keywords include:
    • Differentiation
    • Assessment strategies
    • Inclusive education
    • Classroom management
    • Literacy and numeracy intervention

7. Spelling and Grammar Errors

The Mistake:
Simple typos and grammatical mistakes create a poor first impression.

How to Fix It:

  • Proofread your CV multiple times before submitting it
  • Use spell check tools and ask a colleague or mentor to review it

Top tip: Reading your CV out loud can help catch errors you might miss.

8. Forgetting to Include a Strong Cover Letter

The Mistake:
Many teachers submit just a CV without a cover letter, missing the chance to make a stronger case for why they are the best candidate.

How to Fix It:

  • Always include a tailored cover letter that highlights:
    • Why you are applying for the role
    • How your skills and experience align with the school’s needs
    • A clear call to action, such as requesting an interview

Final Thoughts: How to Make Your Teaching CV Stand Out

By avoiding these common CV mistakes and making simple but effective improvements, you will increase your chances of securing teaching jobs in the UK.