Job Search & Resume Strategies Every Aspiring Principal Should Know

Here’s something we don’t have to tell you, but we’ll say anyway: becoming a principal is a big step. Chances are, you've been preparing for this moment through your initial teaching career, educational journey, and internship for several years. You’ve completed all the steps, and now it’s time to make the dream a reality.

The job search process for aspiring principals can feel just as overwhelming as the job itself. Whether you’re moving from the classroom, an assistant principal role, or another leadership position, how you present yourself on paper—and in person—matters just as much as your vision for a school.

We’re here to help. Below, we break down the key strategies to help you approach the job search with confidence:

Gain an understanding of what districts are looking for

Job descriptions for principal roles often come with long lists of responsibilities, and rightfully so, but don’t let that overwhelm you. Instead, read between the lines and use it as an opportunity to understand a school’s goals and culture.

Pay attention to the terms that come up repeatedly in job postings, such as “family and community engagement,” “data-driven,” “collaborative leadership,” “global citizenship,” and “lifelong learning.” These are more than education buzzwords. They’re also indicators of a school and district’s values. Let those values guide how you shape your resume and other application materials. In your cover letter, for example, speak both about the leader you are, and the leader you know the school is looking for. 

Tell a leadership story with your resume

Leadership resumes are much different from teacher resumes. Instead of listing tasks, you’ll want to highlight outcomes. Principals are expected to lead change, improve student learning, and build strong teams. Your resume needs to reflect that you’re adept at all of those things.

One tip is to lead with impact in the experience section of your resume. For example, did you coach your fellow teachers as part of your past role? Be specific about the outcomes of these actions. A simple bullet point about coaching teachers in literacy instruction could turn into, “Coached a team of 15 teachers in literacy instruction, resulting in a 20% increase in third-grade reading proficiency.” 

This is where the data you’ve collected about your past work will be instrumental. Don’t be afraid to use metrics whenever possible. And, if you didn’t have a formal leadership title when you led those initiatives, include the ways you’ve led, whether it was through mentoring, PD facilitation, committee leadership, or spearheading a new initiative or pilot program. 

Highlight the skills that matter most

Just as you’ll want to call attention to outcomes over tasks in your resume, you’ll also want to do the same with the specific core skill sets and qualifications that most districts look for in principal candidates. These go beyond job duties to show how you currently think, lead, and influence your current school community—and what you’ll do in the future. Make sure you’re able to demonstrate experience with examples of the following: 

• Instructional leadership: Above all, principals are instructional leaders, so highlights around how you’ve supported the growth of other teachers through coaching, led data conversations, and improved student outcomes will always shine.
   
• School culture and climate: Any school you interview with will want to understand your ability to build a safe and inclusive school environment. Focus on concrete ways you’ve helped shape school culture, whether it’s been leading initiatives to increase student belonging, or developed and led programs on staff morale.
  
  
• Family and community engagement: Leadership is so much more than what exists in the four walls of your school. Building strong external partnerships with parents and organizations in your community is essential. Perhaps you’ve worked with a team to create a parent advisory council, or you’ve partnered with local organizations to offer students additional programming and learning opportunities.
  
  
• Operational and organizational management: This is where you get to flex your budgeting, scheduling, and logistics chops. Have you been part of a crisis response team at your school? Tasked with streamlining internal systems or improving staff workflows? Responsible for the budget of a key initiative you led? Schools are looking for leaders with a combination of tactical execution and big-picture vision, so be sure to brainstorm some stories that fit this bill. 

You don’t have to be an expert in every area, but showing that you do have experiences and perspectives on these domains will certainly help. Having these examples in your pocket will also help you better tailor your materials depending on the school you’re applying to as well. 

Choose (and prep) the right references

References are always an important part of the job search, and you might say they’re even more important when you’re interviewing for a school leadership role. Not only do your references help those potentially hiring you confirm what you’ve done in your school, they also give insight into the kind of person you are. 

That’s why it’s critical to choose people for references who can speak to your leadership—not just your work ethic. While it might be tempting to default to the people who like you best, focus instead on the people who have seen you lead, especially when it’s come with a big challenge or growth opportunity. Ideal references are your current or former principal or assistant principal, any instructional coaches or teacher leaders you’ve collaborated with, district leaders you’ve worked with, or mentors you’ve had in your life for a long while. 

Before you list anyone, be sure to prep them—you don’t want to surprise a reference! Reach out to them, explain the role you’re applying for, share why you thought of them, and ask if they’d be comfortable serving as a reference. Be sure to give them the space to decline if they don’t feel equipped to talk about your leadership experience. If they do agree, set them up to shine on your behalf by sharing the job description, a short summary of your leadership accomplishments, what you want the school to see in you, and any particular themes you’d like to emphasize. 

Develop an action plan AND a “pivot plan”

You might have a specific goal in mind for your first principal role. But what happens if you don’t reach that goal right away? Along with your “action plan”—the series of steps you’ll take to land your ideal role—you should also create a “pivot” plan that changes as your opportunities evolve.

To develop your own pivot plan, consider these questions:

• Geography: Are you only wanting to work in your current district or a specific location, or are you open to seeking opportunities in other districts or states?
  
  
• Level: Are you only open to principalships in high schools, or would you be willing to accept elementary and middle school roles?
  
  
• School Type: Are you set on working in a public school environment, or would you consider a private or charter school environment? 

You’re ready. Now help others see it, too.

You’ve put in the time, effort, and heart to become a school leader. You’ve coached teachers, supported students, built relationships inside and outside the school. Now, it’s time to make that work visible.

What is the biggest piece of advice we can give, beyond the tips about your resume, references, and goals? Show up as the leader you already are. The right role is out there, and the school that needs the combination of skills, education, and experience that you uniquely bring will be lucky to have you.