Adjunct Instructor Resume Examples & Guide

Landing an adjunct instructor position can be challenging. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filter out many candidates before a human even sees the resume, and fierce competition means standing out is crucial. This guide provides resume examples for every experience level, from entry-level to seasoned professionals, to help you craft a winning resume.

• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to showcase the impact of your teaching methods and curriculum development.
• Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize skills such as curriculum design, student engagement, and assessment strategies.
• Tailor to Job Description: Customize your resume for each application, highlighting the skills and experience that align with the specific requirements.
• Optimize for ATS: Use keywords from the job description and format your resume for easy scanning by Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities.
• Showcase Pedagogical Approaches: Mention any innovative or effective teaching methods you’ve employed.

Let’s explore some resume examples to inspire your own.

Entry-Level Adjunct Instructor Resume (0-2 Years Experience)

This example demonstrates how to highlight relevant skills and experience, even with limited professional teaching experience. The focus is on academic achievements, soft skills, and a strong educational foundation.

Candidate Snapshot:

Name: Jane Doe

Education: Master of Arts in English Literature

Top 3 Soft Skills: Communication, Patience, Adaptability

Why this works:

• Academic Focus: For an adjunct instructor, relevant coursework like advanced composition and rhetoric helps prove theoretical knowledge despite a lack of extensive teaching experience.
• Transferable Soft Skills: Patience is vital for an adjunct instructor, who needs to effectively guide students through challenging concepts and diverse learning styles.
• Keyword Integration: The resume includes specific entry-level keywords for adjunct instructors, such as ‘curriculum development,’ ‘student engagement,’ and ‘classroom management,’ to pass ATS scans.

Mid-Level Adjunct Instructor Resume (3-7 Years Experience)

This example focuses on showcasing proven teaching experience and specific skills relevant to the desired subject matter. It highlights key achievements and demonstrates a commitment to student success.

Candidate Snapshot:

Name: John Smith

Key Achievement: Increased student satisfaction scores by 15%

Core Hard Skills: Curriculum Design, Online Teaching Platforms, Assessment Development

Why this works:

• Industry-Specific Metrics: Increasing student satisfaction scores is a gold standard for adjunct instructors, demonstrating a positive impact on student learning and engagement.
• Tool Proficiency: Listing specific online teaching platforms like Blackboard and Canvas proves the candidate is ‘plug-and-play’ ready for an adjunct instructor role in a digital learning environment.
• Problem-Solution Format: The bullet points demonstrate the ability to solve common adjunct instructor problems, like improving student participation and adapting teaching methods to diverse learning styles.

Senior Adjunct Instructor Resume (8+ Years / Management)

This example demonstrates leadership experience, strategic thinking, and a proven track record of success in higher education. It highlights key accomplishments and demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence.

Candidate Snapshot:

Name: Dr. Sarah Johnson

Teams Managed: Supervised a team of 5 adjunct instructors

Budget Size: Managed a departmental budget of $50,000

Certifications: Certified Online Instructor

Why this works:

• Strategic Leadership: The summary shifts focus from ‘doing tasks’ to ‘leading strategy,’ emphasizing experience in curriculum development and program management, critical for a Senior Adjunct Instructor.
• Scale & Scope: Explicitly stating ‘Budget Size’ and ‘Team Count’ proves the candidate can handle the high-stakes environment of senior adjunct instructor roles, requiring resource management and team leadership.
• Elite Certifications: Listing advanced credentials like ‘Certified Online Instructor’ acts as a trust signal for executive-level adjunct instructor hiring managers, demonstrating expertise in online education.

How to Write a Adjunct Instructor Resume

The Resume Summary

The resume summary is your first chance to make a strong impression. It should highlight your key skills and experience, and demonstrate your passion for teaching. Use this formula: Enthusiastic [Job Title] with [X years] experience in [relevant field]. Proven ability to [key skill 1], [key skill 2], and [key skill 3]. Committed to [value proposition].

Entry-Level Example: Enthusiastic Adjunct Instructor with a Master’s degree in English Literature. Proven ability to develop engaging curriculum, foster student participation, and improve student outcomes. Committed to creating a positive learning environment and promoting academic excellence.

Mid-Level Example: Experienced Adjunct Instructor with 5+ years of experience teaching history courses at the college level. Proven ability to develop engaging curriculum, foster student participation, and improve student outcomes. Skilled in utilizing online teaching platforms and assessment tools to enhance the learning experience.

Senior Example: Highly accomplished and results-oriented Senior Adjunct Instructor with 10+ years of experience in higher education. Proven ability to develop and implement innovative curriculum, manage departmental budgets, and lead teams of instructors. Committed to fostering a positive learning environment and promoting academic excellence.

Work Experience & Action Verbs

Focus on achievements rather than just listing duties. Achievements demonstrate the impact you made in your previous roles, while duties simply describe what you were responsible for.

• Before: Responsible for teaching history courses. After: Developed and delivered engaging history courses to undergraduate students, resulting in a 15% increase in student satisfaction scores.
• Before: Assisted professors with grading assignments. After: Assisted professors with grading assignments and provided constructive feedback to students, improving their understanding of course material.
• Before: Utilized online teaching platforms. After: Utilized online teaching platforms (Blackboard, Canvas) to facilitate online learning and communication, enhancing the student experience.
• Before: Provided tutoring and support to students. After: Provided tutoring and support to students in English composition, helping them improve their writing skills and achieve academic success.
• Before: Facilitated classroom discussions and activities. After: Facilitated engaging classroom discussions and activities, fostering student participation and critical thinking skills.

Top Skills for Adjunct Instructors

• Hard Skills:
  • Curriculum Development
  • Assessment Development
  • Online Teaching Platforms
  • Classroom Management
  • Program Management
• Soft Skills:
  • Communication (Written & Verbal)
  • Student Engagement
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring
  • Adaptability
• Tools/Software:
  • Blackboard
  • Canvas
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Google Workspace

Education & Certifications

For entry-level candidates, list your education in detail, including relevant coursework. For mid-level and senior candidates, focus on your highest degree and any relevant certifications. Certifications can demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional development.

Recommended Certifications:

• Certified Online Instructor
• Teaching Certificates

10 Common Adjunct Instructor Resume Mistakes

1. Generic Summary: A vague summary fails to capture attention. Instead, use the formula to highlight your specific skills and experience as an Adjunct Instructor.
2. Listing Duties Instead of Impact: Recruiters want to know how well you taught, not just what you were responsible for. Replace passive phrases like ‘Responsible for curriculum development’ with quantified wins like ‘Developed and implemented a new curriculum that increased student engagement by 20%’.
3. Lack of Relevant Skills: Failing to highlight skills like ‘Curriculum Development’, ‘Student Engagement’, and ‘Classroom Management’ causes the resume to be overlooked. Tailor your skills section to match the job description and showcase your expertise.
4. Poor Formatting: A poorly formatted resume is difficult to read and detracts from your qualifications. Use clear headings, bullet points, and a professional font to ensure readability.
5. Grammar Errors: Misspelling core industry terminology or credentials (like certifications) is a red flag. Proofread carefully.
6. Not Tailoring to the Job Description: Submitting a generic resume shows a lack of interest and effort. Customize your resume for each application, highlighting the skills and experience that align with the specific requirements.
7. Ignoring ATS Optimization: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords. Use keywords from the job description and format your resume for easy scanning.
8. Omitting Metrics: Failing to quantify your achievements makes it difficult to assess your impact. Use numbers to showcase the results of your teaching methods and curriculum development.
9. Inconsistent Tense: Switching between past and present tense creates a confusing and unprofessional impression. Use past tense for previous roles and present tense for current roles.
10. Irrelevant Information: Including irrelevant information distracts from your qualifications. Focus on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the Adjunct Instructor position.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I include in my resume summary? The summary should highlight your key skills, experience, and passion for teaching.
2. How can I quantify my achievements? Use numbers to showcase the results of your teaching methods and curriculum development.
3. What skills are most important for Adjunct Instructors? Curriculum development, student engagement, classroom management, and communication skills are essential.
4. How should I format my education section? List your degrees in reverse chronological order, including the name of the institution, degree type, and graduation date.
5. What certifications are recommended for Adjunct Instructors? Certified Online Instructor and teaching certificates can demonstrate your expertise.
6. How can I tailor my resume to the job description? Identify the key skills and requirements listed in the job description and highlight those skills and experiences in your resume.
7. What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)? An ATS is a software system used by employers to scan and filter resumes.
8. How can I optimize my resume for ATS? Use keywords from the job description and format your resume for easy scanning.
9. What action verbs should I use on my resume? Use strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities.
10. How long should my resume be? Aim for a one-page resume, especially if you are an entry-level candidate. Mid-level and senior candidates may have a two-page resume.

In conclusion, crafting a compelling adjunct instructor resume requires careful attention to detail and a focus on showcasing your skills, experience, and achievements. By following the tips and examples in this guide, you can create a resume that stands out from the competition and lands you more interviews. Search more Adjunct Instructor resources on our site.