Resume Writing Tips for School Counselor

Introduction

For school counselors, a resume is more than just a list of duties—it's an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to support student growth emotionally, academically, and socially. Schools seek counselors who bring leadership, empathy, and data-driven intervention skills. Your resume must clearly showcase these traits, backed by concrete achievements and relevant expertise to convince hiring committees that you're the ideal candidate for the role.

1. Resume Summary

The resume summary serves as your professional elevator pitch. It should concisely capture your experience, key strengths, and what you bring to the school counseling role. Focus on your counseling philosophy, years of experience, major accomplishments, and interpersonal skills.

Example: “Dedicated school counselor with over 7 years of experience supporting diverse student populations in public middle schools. Expert in individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and academic advising. Proven track record of developing school-wide mental health programs that reduced student behavioral incidents by 22%.”

2. Key Skills

Listing relevant key skills helps both ATS software and recruiters quickly assess your suitability. Focus on a balanced mix of soft and hard skills that demonstrate your counseling, technical, and administrative capabilities.

• Active Listening
• Conflict Resolution
• Crisis Intervention
• Individual & Group Counseling
• Student Advocacy
• Collaboration with Educators
• Behavioral Assessment
• Case Management
• Data Collection & Analysis
• Familiarity with Counseling Software (e.g., Naviance, XAP)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Confidentiality & Ethical Compliance
• Program Development

3. Achievements

Rather than simply listing job responsibilities, highlight your achievements to provide evidence of your impact. Use quantifiable metrics wherever possible to demonstrate success and improvements you contributed to.

Example bullet point: “Developed a peer mentoring program that increased student engagement by 35% and led to a 15crease in disciplinary referrals over one academic year.”

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each job application by carefully reviewing the job description and mirroring the language and keywords the employer uses. This improves ATS compatibility and shows that you understand the role’s requirements.

5. Tools

• Naviance (Student Success Planning)
• SPSS (Statistical Analysis)
• Excel (Data Tracking)
• XAP (College & Career Readiness Software)
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint)
• Zoom & Video Conferencing Tools
• Student Information Systems (SIS)
• Behavior Tracking Software
• Electronic Health Records (EHR) for school-based health programs

6. Metrics

• Percentage reduction in student disciplinary referrals
• Number of students successfully counseled or mentored per term
• Increase in student academic performance or graduation rates
• Participation rate in school-based mental health programs
• Feedback scores from student and parent satisfaction surveys

7. Education

• Master’s Degree in School Counseling or related field (e.g., M.Ed., MS)
• Relevant Certifications (Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), or state-specific credentials)
• Continuing Education courses related to adolescent psychology, trauma-informed care, or college counseling
• Workshops or trainings on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in education

8. Format

• Use clear section headings and bullet points to improve readability
• Maintain consistent font style and size (10-12 pt) with professional fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman
• Limit resume length to two pages
• Avoid graphics or images that may confuse ATS systems
• Use standard section order: Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Additional Information

9. Concise

Make every word count. Use concise language, avoid jargon, and focus on results and action verbs. Reduce redundancy by combining similar experiences and focusing on transferable skills. Crisp resumes keep hiring managers engaged.

10. Bonus

• Include relevant volunteer or extracurricular experiences that demonstrate leadership or counseling skills (e.g., leading youth groups, crisis helplines)
• Add a professional affiliations section listing memberships in organizations like the American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

Examples

• “Led the coordination of college readiness workshops attended by 200+ students, increasing college application submissions by 40%.”
• “Implemented a behavioral intervention plan framework reducing incidents of classroom disruption by 18% over six months.”

Conclusion

A school counselor’s resume must effectively highlight the impact you’ve made on students’ lives through leadership, analytical problem-solving, and emotional support. By presenting measurable achievements, relevant skills, and educational credentials in a clear, ATS-friendly format, you increase your chances of landing interviews and advancing your career. Remember, your resume should tell the story of a proactive advocate and skilled professional ready to guide students toward success.