Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: Metrics like boosting scores by 15% and enhancing team productivity by 20% illustrate the job seeker’s measurable impact in their previous roles.
- Showcases career progression: This resume maps out career growth, showcasing advancement from education administrator to principal with increasing responsibilities.
- Highlights industry-specific skills: Highlights industry-specific skills, such as curriculum development and key administrative skills, underlining expertise in educational leadership.
More School Administration Resume Examples
Explore more education resume examples to learn how to showcase your leadership abilities, educational expertise, and school management skills. These samples will help you create a compelling resume that aligns with industry standards.
Dean of Students
Why this resume works
- Features a certifications section: The certifications section is clear and concise, highlighting relevant certifications such as Certified Student Affairs Educator and Mental Health First Aid to showcase the job seeker’s qualifications.
- Touches on accomplishments: Accomplishments like improving student retention by 14% and reducing repeat conduct violations by 23% validate the job seeker’s exceptional contributions and performance, making their achievements stand out.
- Puts skills at the forefront: Key skills are prominently listed, making it easy to see the job seeker’s capabilities in educational leadership and curriculum development at a glance.
Curriculum Director
Why this resume works
- Includes a mix of soft and hard skills: Showcases a balanced skill set by highlighting technical program implementation alongside strong interpersonal skills, such as collaboration.
- Demonstrates leadership abilities: Highlights leadership skills by listing accomplishments such as mentoring new teachers and leading a district-wide curriculum redesign initiative that resulted in a 22% increase in standardized test scores.
- Displays teaching expertise: Emphasizes teaching skills and experience in past roles, underscoring the job seeker’s relevant classroom experience.
Superintendant
Why this resume works
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: Effectively demonstrates senior-level impact through achievements like boosting student performance by 80% and increasing student engagement and achievement by 56% through innovative curriculum enhancements.
- Focuses on work history: Work history is emphasized with a clear chronological format, showcasing progressive roles and responsibilities over the years.
- Sections are well-organized: Use of bullet points and headers makes the resume easy to scan, highlighting key accomplishments and responsibilities efficiently.
Principal Resume Template (Text Version)
Tao Miller
Detroit, MI48211
(555)555-5555
tao.miller@example.com
Professional Summary
Dynamic and results-driven education leader with over 14 years of experience in school administration and instructional leadership. Proven track record of improving student outcomes, enhancing staff performance, and fostering community engagement. Expertise in curriculum development, budget planning, and program coordination. Recognized for innovative solutions and commitment to educational excellence. Fluent in English and Spanish, with proficiency in French.
Work History
Principal
Meadowview Educational Institute – Detroit, MI
October 2022 to March 2025
- Implemented curriculum improvements, boosting scores by 15%
- Supervised 45 staff members, enhancing team productivity by 20%
- Facilitated community events, increasing parental engagement by 30%
Vice Principal
Riverside High School – Southgate, MI
September 2015 to September 2022
- Managed teacher evaluations, improving performance by 25%
- Led student activities, increasing participation by 40%
- Developed mentorship programs, boosting graduation rate by 10%
Education Administrator
Harmony Education Center – Southgate, MI
March 2011 to August 2015
- Coordinated academic programs, enhancing efficiency by 15%
- Oversaw budget planning, saving $50,000 annually
- Organized staff training, elevating skills by 30%
Accomplishments
- Increased graduation rate by 10% through targeted programs
- Reduced administrative costs by $50,000 annually
Skills
- Educational leadership
- Curriculum development
- Staff management
- Community engagement
- Program coordination
- Budget planning
- Mentorship programs
- Academic performance analysis
Certifications
- Education Leadership Certification – National Education Association
- Advanced Teaching Certificate – American Board of Education
Education
Master of Education – Educational Leadership
University of Washington – Seattle, Washington
June 2010
Bachelor of Arts – Education Studies
Oregon State University – Corvallis, Oregon
June 2008
Popular Skills for a Principal Resume
A strong resume skills section is essential for highlighting both the technical knowledge and personal traits required to manage a school. A blend of soft skills like leadership and communication, coupled with hard skills such as budgeting and curriculum planning, is key for success in this position.
Below are a few of the top soft skills frequently listed on principal resumes.
| Soft Skills | % of resumes with this skill |
|---|---|
| Verbal and written communication | 59.65% |
| Training and mentoring | 57.38% |
| Employee performance evaluations | 50.79% |
| Strategic leadership | 29.41% |
| Team collaboration | 28.85% |
Here are a few examples of hard skills frequently included on principal resumes.
| Hard Skills | % of resumes with this skill |
|---|---|
| Staff management | 51.67% |
| Data-driven instruction | 24.00% |
| School administration | 18.18% |
| Curriculum development | 17.86% |
| School event coordination | 16.67% |
Related Resume Guides
Advice for Writing Your Principal Resume
Explore our tailored tips on how to write a resume specifically for principal positions. Discover how to highlight your leadership skills, educational expertise, and vision for student success to make your resume stand out.
Highlight relevant certifications and training
Certifications and specialized training are essential for a principal as they highlight proficiency and dedication to educational leadership. These qualifications ensure the principal can adeptly manage school administration tasks such as curriculum planning, staff oversight, and student support. Additionally, they signify a commitment to ongoing professional development, which is key in the dynamic field of education.
For better visibility, create a certifications section after your education section or skills section. List pertinent certifications, for example:
- State Teaching License (K-12)
- National Board Certification (NBPTS)
- TESOL/TEFL Certification
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
- Google Certified Educator
- Special Education Certification
- Reading Specialist Certification
- STEM Teaching Certification
- Educational Leadership Certification
Ensure you mention the certification names, issuing organizations, and dates obtained. This organized presentation allows employers to quickly assess your qualifications and their relevance to the principal role.
Example of a certifications & training section
Certified School Principal (CSP)
Issued by: National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
Issued 2021
Educational Leadership Certification
Issued by: American College of Education
Completed 2020
Advanced Placement (AP) Program Training
Issued by: College Board
Completed 2019
School Safety and Security Professional Certificate
Issued by: National School Safety Center (NSSC)
Expires 2024
Special Education Administrator Workshop
Issued by: Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Completed 2022
Need help starting your resume? Check out our professional resume examples to see how to best showcase your talents.
List your most relevant skills
As a principal, it’s important to have both technical skills and soft skills. Technical skills include proficiency in educational software like PowerSchool or Google Classroom. You should also list budgeting and data analysis skills, which are essential for managing school resources effectively.
Soft skills, such as leadership, communication, and conflict resolution, are just as important. These help you guide teachers and students while maintaining a positive school environment.
When listing your skills, create a dedicated section on your resume. Here, you can highlight your software proficiencies and any artistic abilities that may enhance the school’s programs. Be sure to also blend these skills into your work experience bullet points.
For example, mention how your leadership improved test scores or how your budgeting skills saved the school money. This approach makes your resume more impactful by showing how you’ve applied these skills in real situations. By clearly organizing and demonstrating both skills throughout your resume, you’ll present yourself as a well-rounded candidate for the principal position.
Incorporating keywords from the job description throughout your resume can help you pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) and stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary is a brief statement at the top of your resume that highlights your skills, experience, and achievements. For a principal role, it should show leadership abilities, educational expertise, and a track record of improving school performance. This section helps make a strong first impression by quickly showing why you are the best fit for the job.
If you have extensive work experience, use a professional summary to highlight your key accomplishments and skills. For example, mention how you improved student outcomes or managed large teams. If you are just starting out in your career or switching fields, use a resume objective instead. This focuses on your goals and what you hope to achieve in the role.
Use action words like “led,” “implemented,” or “achieved” to describe your impact. Highlight specific skills like curriculum development, staff training, or budget management. Organize this section with bullet points for easy reading and include any notable awards or recognitions to stand out as a candidate for the principal position.
Principal resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent graduate with a master’s in educational leadership, holding state principal certification. Experienced in classroom teaching and school administration through internships and practicum. Strong skills in curriculum development, student assessment, and fostering an inclusive learning environment. Eager to contribute fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to enhance educational outcomes.
Mid-career
Accomplished assistant principal with over 7 years of experience in K-12 education settings. Proven track record in implementing school-wide initiatives that improve student performance and staff engagement. Expertise in data-driven decision-making, teacher mentoring, and community outreach programs. Recognized for developing leadership development programs that have led to measurable improvements in instructional quality and student success.
Experienced
Veteran principal with more than 15 years of progressive experience leading diverse schools to academic excellence. Adept at strategic planning, budget management, and policy implementation with a focus on equity and inclusion. Known for transforming underperforming schools through targeted professional development, stakeholder collaboration, and rigorous academic standards. Demonstrated ability to drive substantial improvements in graduation rates and standardized test scores while maintaining a positive school culture.
Principal resume objective examples
Recent graduate
Recent education graduate with a master’s in educational leadership, seeking an entry-level principal position to apply strong organizational and leadership skills. Committed to fostering a positive school culture, improving student performance, and supporting teacher development.
Career changer
Experienced classroom teacher transitioning into school administration aiming for a principal role. Possesses a deep understanding of curriculum development and student engagement strategies. Eager to bring innovative ideas and collaborative management style to enhance educational outcomes.
Specialized training
Aspiring principal with specialized training in inclusive education and diversity management, looking to lead a progressive school environment. Dedicated to creating equitable learning opportunities for all students while promoting academic excellence and social-emotional growth.
Use our Resume Builder to quickly make a professional resume. Choose a template, add your info, and create a well-structured resume in a matter of minutes.
Showcase your accomplishments and publications
Including a section for your publications, conference talks, and research successes can improve your resume by showcasing your expertise and leadership. A publications and presentations section allows employers to gauge the extent of your knowledge and contributions to education or administration.
When crafting this section, list peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and conference papers according to professional style guides like APA, MLA, or Chicago. Provide citation details such as journal name, volume, issue number, and publication year.
Highlight any significant awards, grants, or fellowships you have earned to underline your research credibility. Adding links to online research profiles like Google Scholar, ResearchGate, or ORCID can facilitate easy access to your work.
This systematic approach will demonstrate that you are knowledgeable in educational research and capable of introducing innovative ideas in the principal role.
Example of publications section
Books and Book Chapters
- Doe, J. (2018). Educational Leadership in the 21st Century. New York, NY: Academic Press.
- Smith, A., & Doe, J. (2020). Chapter 4: Leadership Strategies for Effective School Management. In T. Brown (Ed.), Modern Educational Practices (pp. 75-102). Los Angeles, CA: Education Press.
Conference Proceedings
- Doe, J., & Johnson, L. (2019). Implementing technological innovations in schools: Challenges and solutions. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Educational Technology (pp. 45-56). Paris, France.
- Doe, J., Smith, A., & Williams, K. (2021). Enhancing student engagement through adaptive learning systems. In Proceedings of the Global Summit on Education (pp. 89-101). Tokyo, Japan.
Opt for a resume template with clear headings and legible fonts, avoiding elaborate designs or bright colors to maintain a professional focus on your skills and experience.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my principal resume?
Yes, you should include a cover letter with your principal resume, even if it’s not specifically requested. A strong principal cover letter allows you to personalize your application and explain why you’re a strong fit for the specific school or district.
While your resume lists your qualifications and achievements, the cover letter allows you to provide context, highlight your leadership philosophy, and showcase your communication skills. It’s also a chance to connect your experience directly to the school’s needs and values, demonstrating that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the role.
Unless the job posting clearly states not to include one, a well-written cover letter can help you stand out and make a stronger impression on hiring committees. You can explore our cover letter examples to get started and use our Cover Letter Generator for personalized content suggestions and expert tips.
How long should a principal’s resume be?
A principal’s resume should generally span one to two pages, enabling you to thoroughly present your broad experience in educational leadership, curriculum development, and school administration.
Emphasize your latest positions and underscore significant accomplishments such as enhanced student performance, successful program implementations, and leadership initiatives. Include quantifiable outcomes to illustrate your impact.
Prioritize clarity and relevance to maintain the hiring committee’s interest and offer a complete view of your qualifications. Explore how long a resume should be for additional tips and guidance from career advice experts.
How do you write a principal resume with no experience?
When writing a resume with no experience, it is essential to highlight your transferable skills and relevant background. List your degrees, certifications, and any special training that aligns with educational leadership. Mention coursework in administration or leadership if applicable.
Next, focus on your teaching experience. Teaching roles often involve curriculum development, student assessment, and classroom management — all valuable for a principal position.
Include any leadership roles you’ve held within the school environment. This could be leading committees, managing projects, or coordinating programs. These experiences showcase your ability to lead and manage effectively.
Highlight any achievements or initiatives that had a positive impact on the school community. This demonstrates your commitment to improving educational outcomes. You can also mention volunteer work or involvement in educational organizations outside of your regular job that showcases your dedication to education and community building.
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Natalia is a Content Writer based in Puerto Rico and a Certified Professional Résumé Writer. She is dedicated to leveraging her writing expertise to help job seekers reach their career goals.
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