There are countless articles offering general CV tips, but few that break things down for specific industries. In this second part of our chat with Luke Rees, Head of Growth and Recruitment at Teach East, we’re going beyond layout and presentation to explore what your CV actually needs to say. If you’re applying for roles in International Education, these are the insights that can help your application rise to the top.
What Should Go in the CV?
TE: So we’ve talked about formatting—what should go in the CV?
LR: Your CV is not your life story, it’s a highlight reel. You’ve got limited space to show why you’re right for the role, so focus on the essentials:
1. Use Evidential Statements
Show, don’t tell!
Vague claims don’t inspire confidence. Instead of “I improved student outcomes,” give measurable, specific examples:
- “Increased percentage of students achieving expected progress in English from 62% to 87% over two years.”
- “My Year 11 class achieved a 100% pass rate in IGCSE Biology, with 40% attaining A–A*.”
The same goes for leadership candidates. Instead of “I grew the school” or “I raised standards,” provide measurable results:
- “Increased student enrolment from 220 to 510 over three academic years.”
- “Secured ‘Outstanding’ in all areas during latest BSO inspection.”
Whether you’re a classroom teacher or a Head of School, concrete achievements carry more weight than generalisations.
2. Responsibilities vs Achievements
Achievements get you shortlisted!
Responsibilities are expected. Instead of just listing duties, highlight your impact.
Teachers should also lean on data from assessments, progress trackers, or inspection feedback to support their achievements. For example:
- “Led whole-school literacy initiative, improving average reading age by 1.8 years in 12 months.”
- “Introduced flipped classroom model in IBDP Chemistry, raising student attainment by 17%.”
3. Clearly Present Your Teaching Experience
List each role in reverse chronological order. Include:
- Job title
- School name
- City + country
- Dates of employment (month + year)
- The curriculum taught
- Add context: Don’t just say “Classroom Teacher”—use specifics like:
- “Homeroom Teacher – IB PYP – Grade 3”
- “Secondary English Teacher – Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level”
4. Keep Curriculum References Specific
Say which curriculum and how you delivered it:
- Were you planning inquiry-based lessons for the PYP?
- Adapting the UK National Curriculum for EAL learners?
- Teaching IGCSE Business in a blended environment?
This tells schools you know what you’re doing—and how you do it.
5. Tailor Your CV to the Vacancy
Yes, it’s worth it!
I know…who has the time, especially when you aren’t getting feedback or replies, but this will improve your chances.
If it’s a boarding school, mention any pastoral or residential experience.
If it’s a new opening in a growing school, show you’re adaptable and proactive.
Spamming the same CV across different job vacancies is the equivalent of writing “Heyy” to all your new matches on a dating app.
I get why you’d do it, but a personalised approach gets better results. So I’m told ☺️
6. Highlight International Readiness
No overseas experience? No problem!
If you’ve worked overseas, brilliant. If not, don’t worry—but show you’re ready.
Have you worked in diverse classrooms?
Taken on roles supporting EAL students?
Mention cross-cultural experience or languages spoken.
Schools abroad need to know you can thrive in new environments.
7. Don’t Overlook Soft Skills—Back Them Up!
“Strong communicator” isn’t enough.
Everyone says that. Instead, show how those skills have played out:
- “Facilitated weekly parent workshops to improve home learning engagement.”
- “Led cross-departmental initiatives that improved collaboration and student outcomes.”
8. Include Extracurriculars—But Make Them Count
Schools love well-rounded teachers who go beyond the classroom. Don’t just list:
❌️ “Football club”
❌️ “Year 6 production”
Add context and results:
✅️ “Coordinated inter-school football tournaments across three campuses.”
✅️ “Directed annual musical with cast of 45 students.”
9. Be Strategic with CPD
Quality over quantity!
Professional development is great, but don’t list every course you’ve ever taken. Highlight the ones most relevant to your target role.
Applying to a school using the IB? Prioritise IB workshops.
For leadership roles? Mention training in coaching or performance management.
10. Proofread—And Then Proofread Again
Typos are a red flag.
Spelling or grammatical mistakes on your CV send the wrong message, especially if you’re applying for a role in education.
A second pair of eyes is always worth it:
Ask a colleague or mentor to review it before you send.
Or you know…run a spell check!
💡 Final Thoughts on Standing Out
TE: Any final thoughts on standing out?
LR: I want to recognise how rubbish it is when you spend ages ‘perfecting’ your CV, send it out to a role you are really excited about, and hear nothing back.
Each application is more than just an email attachment, it’s the hope of a new challenge, a new location, a new life!
With that said, the trap to avoid is applying to jobs with the same lack of care and effort (you feel) recruiters and schools treat your CV with.
You will get better results with 5 personalised, relevant applications than 50 copy + paste ones.
Write a brief, personal email when you send your CV.
Connect your experience to the role you’re applying for.
Interest, coherence and potential go a long way.
I encourage our team to look out for candidates who have taken extra time over their applications and keep them in mind for other roles.
Hopefully that’s you—good luck!
📢 P.S.
If you missed Part One, scroll back to the last article where we broke down the basics of CV formatting for International Education roles.
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