When you’re applying for a school leadership or administration position, whether it’s as a principal, dean, director, or superintendent, your resume isn’t just a list of roles and responsibilities. It’s a reflection of your leadership, your impact, and your readiness to take on the complex task of guiding a school or district.
Even experienced school leaders and administrators make avoidable resume mistakes that weaken their applications. The good news is that most of these missteps are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
In the post we cover some of the most common resume mistakes school leaders and administrators make, and how to avoid them.
8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Crafting a Resume for a School Leadership or Administration Role
Mistake #1: Listing Responsibilities Without Showing Impact
Why it matters:
Hiring managers and committees don’t just want to know what you did, they want to know how well you did it, and what changed because of your leadership.
What to do instead:
Use metrics, outcomes, or meaningful anecdotes when appropriate to show the results of your efforts.
For Example:
Instead of: “Oversaw academic programs for grades 6–8.”
Try: “Led instructional improvements across grades 6–8, resulting in a 15% increase in math proficiency over two years and a 30% boost in student attendance.”
Mistake #2: Writing a Resume That’s Too Long
Why it matters:
A five-page resume may feel thorough, especially for a seasoned school leader, but for busy hiring teams, it can be overwhelming and hard to scan. Important details can get buried within details that are not necessary.
What to do instead:
Keep it to 1–2 pages for most roles. Use concise, impactful bullet points. Focus on your most recent and relevant leadership and administration experience.
Tip:
If you’ve held several leadership positions, you can group earlier roles under a short “Previous Experience” section with just titles and dates.
Mistake #3: Using Outdated Language or Formatting
Why it matters:
Your resume is often the first impression of your communication skills and attention to detail. Fonts that are hard to read or language that feels old-fashioned can create an unintended message.
What to do instead:
Use clean, professional formatting with consistent spacing and headings. Replace dated language like “duties included” or “responsible for” with strong action verbs and modern phrasing.
For Example:
Instead of: “Responsible for school discipline and attendance.”
Try: “Implemented restorative discipline practices, reducing suspensions by 40% and improving attendance by 12%.”
Mistake #4: Failing to Customize for the Role
Why it matters:
Generic resumes don’t speak directly to what this school or district needs. Leadership looks different in every context and/or school community.
What to do instead:
Read the job posting closely. Tailor your resume to emphasize the experiences and skills most aligned with the school’s goals and priorities.
For Example:
If the posting emphasizes instructional leadership: Lead with your curriculum development work, coaching experience, or assessment strategy.
If the posting emphasizes culture-building or equity: Highlight your work with student voice, staff retention, or community partnerships.
Mistake #5: Including Too Much Technical Jargon
Why it matters:
While educational acronyms are second nature to you, not everyone on the hiring team may be familiar with your state or district’s terms.
What to do instead:
Be clear and accessible. Spell out acronyms at least once, and explain programs in terms of their purpose or outcome.
For Example:
Instead of: “Led implementation of PBIS and MTSS.”
Try: “Launched schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as part of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, decreasing behavior referrals by 35%.”
Mistake #6: Leaving Out Leadership Philosophy or Vision
Why it matters:
Your resume should show not just what you’ve done, but how you lead. Hiring committees want a sense of your approach, especially when you’re stepping into a culture-shaping role within a school or district.
What to do instead:
Include a short Leadership Profile or Professional Summary at the top. Use it to introduce your values, style, and what you bring to the table.
For Example:
“Equity-centered instructional leader with 12+ years of experience fostering inclusive school cultures, improving teacher retention, and driving student achievement through collaborative, data-informed practices.”
Mistake #7: Relying on AI, Templates or Resume Builders Without Customizing the Output
Why it matters:
Pre-made templates (like the ones on our site) or AI tools can be helpful, but many auto-generated resumes end up sounding stiff, robotic, or mismatched to the role.
What to do instead:
Start with a template if needed, but revise thoroughly. Let your leadership voice come through. Make sure your resume reflects your unique accomplishments, not just generic leadership phrases.
For Example:
Instead of: “Strategic thinker with vast leadership capabilities.”
Try: “Led cross-functional teams through pandemic recovery planning, centering student wellness and staff collaboration.”
Mistake #8: Skipping Community and Relationship-Building Work
Why it matters:
At the K–12 or college level, leadership is personal. Your ability to connect with families, staff, and students matters just as much as your systems thinking.
What to do instead:
Include bullet points about mentorship, stakeholder engagement, community outreach, and partnerships.
For Example:
“Launched a parent advisory council that increased family engagement by 60% and led to more culturally responsive programming.”
In Closing
A strong resume for school leadership isn’t just about listing titles or years served—it’s about telling the story of your leadership. How did you change outcomes? How did you build trust? How did you move your school or district forward?
By avoiding these common mistakes and leading with clarity, vision, and measurable impact, you’ll not only stand out—you’ll be seen as the kind of thoughtful, dynamic leader schools are actively looking for. We wish you great success as you search for your next opportunity!
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