A school counselor’s resume should show you can engage with children and adolescents, have strong communication skills, and have the training and knowledge to work with at-risk youth. Below are tips on writing a school counselor resume highlighting your unique skills and approach to helping children and their families.

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Why This Resume Works

 

Rod's resume showcases a mix of counseling experience and leadership in educational settings, with a clear focus on social guidance, substance abuse counseling, and academic advising. The inclusion of certifications adds credibility to his qualifications. For tips on creating impactful resumes, refer to How to Make a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Nicole's resume highlights a diverse career in counseling, with clear accomplishments like initiating anti-bullying programs and providing targeted support for students with learning disabilities. Her certifications further validate her expertise. For tips on structuring your resume, see Resume Summary Examples.


Why This Resume Works

 

D.J.'s resume shows a well-rounded background in school counseling with specific achievements in academic support, crisis counseling, and event coordination. The inclusion of bilingual skills and certifications adds a layer of versatility to the candidate’s qualifications. For more advice on how to organize and highlight your accomplishments, check out How to List Your Education on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Janet’s resume highlights her proven track record in both academic and emotional counseling, demonstrating clear achievements like improving graduation rates and implementing successful mental health programs. Her certifications add significant weight to her qualifications. For tips on presenting your professional experience, check out Best Resume Formats.


Why This Resume Works

 

Luis’s resume stands out for its focus on bilingual counseling, which is valuable in diverse communities. His clear, measurable achievements in improving post-graduation enrollment and scholarship applications further emphasize his impact. For additional tips on structuring your resume, visit How to List Your Education on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Emily’s resume demonstrates her expertise in both individual and group counseling, with a clear focus on mental health support. The candidate’s work with at-risk students and her leadership in mental health initiatives showcase her impact on school communities. For more advice on building a strong resume, check out Resume Skills.


Why This Resume Works

 

Jessica’s resume emphasizes her leadership in mental health initiatives and career planning programs, underscoring her versatility as a counselor. Her certifications and work with at-risk students add significant credibility to her qualifications. For more insights on structuring your resume, see How to List References on Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Samantha's resume emphasizes both academic and emotional support services, showcasing her ability to guide students through a range of challenges. Her measurable contributions, such as managing a large caseload and developing programs, highlight her skills. Learn more about structuring your resume with Resume Summary Examples.


Why This Resume Works

 

David’s resume showcases his extensive experience with both crisis intervention and college readiness, demonstrating his versatility as a counselor. His collaboration with various stakeholders and his focus on at-risk students strengthen his qualifications. For more tips on making your resume stand out, check out What to Put on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Rebecca’s resume highlights her leadership abilities, such as overseeing the counseling department and developing school-wide programs. Her work in crisis management and with special education students further emphasizes her versatility as a counselor. For more tips on structuring your resume, see How to List Your Education on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Kimberly’s resume highlights her experience in both one-on-one and group counseling, showcasing her versatility and hands-on expertise. Her ability to work collaboratively with teachers and parents demonstrates her approach to holistic student support. To see more tips on tailoring your resume, check out Resume Objective Examples.


Why This Resume Works

 

Jordan's resume highlights his ability to provide both academic and emotional support to students, showcasing his collaborative skills and ability to create individualized plans. His background in social-emotional learning and coordination of meetings shows his leadership abilities. For further resume guidance, refer to How to List Your Education on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Ella’s resume focuses on her expertise in both one-on-one and group counseling, with a strong emphasis on social-emotional skills and career development. Her ability to work with parents and teachers is a significant asset, as it demonstrates her commitment to holistic student support. Learn more about Resume Skills to optimize your resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Noah’s resume effectively showcases his leadership in creating and implementing school-wide initiatives and his expertise in both academic and social-emotional counseling. His long-standing experience with students at various educational levels highlights his versatility. For more advice on listing certifications, check out How to List Certifications on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Maya’s resume emphasizes her bilingual capabilities and highlights both individual and group counseling expertise. Her experience working with a range of student needs, from IEP development to career counseling, demonstrates her comprehensive approach to student support. To see how to present your skills effectively, visit Resume Skills.


Why This Resume Works

 

Liam's resume focuses on his ability to support a diverse student body through comprehensive counseling services. His experience with college prep and crisis intervention demonstrates his versatility. For more insights into structuring a counseling resume, see Best Resume Formats.


Why This Resume Works

 

Samantha's resume emphasizes her broad skill set, including social-emotional learning and crisis intervention. The measurable impact of her programs, such as supporting a student body of over 500 students, demonstrates her capabilities as a counselor. Learn how to leverage your skills with Resume Skills.


Why This Resume Works

 

Ethan’s resume highlights his focus on early intervention and his work with students at the elementary school level. His emphasis on collaboration with teachers and parents ensures that his efforts are aligned with broader educational goals. Learn more about showcasing your expertise with Resume Outline Examples.


Why This Resume Works

 

Zoe’s resume emphasizes her comprehensive experience in both academic and emotional counseling, along with her expertise in college readiness. The inclusion of specific projects, like organizing college fairs, highlights her leadership capabilities. For additional guidance on building your resume, refer to How to Make a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Lily’s resume emphasizes her focus on supporting students during their critical middle school years. Her experience creating group programs and working closely with parents adds value to her counseling work. To enhance your resume, check out What to Put on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Oliver’s resume demonstrates his ability to manage both individual counseling and large school-wide initiatives. His focus on academic intervention programs and collaborative work with parents and teachers highlights his ability to impact the school community positively. Learn more about presenting your skills with Resume Skills.


Why This Resume Works

 

Sophia’s resume highlights her leadership experience and demonstrates her ability to manage a large counseling department while also focusing on critical student success areas such as college preparation. Her ability to impact institutional outcomes is evident in the 20% increase in college applications. For tips on structuring your resume, check out Best Resume Formats.


Why This Resume Works

 

Landon’s resume showcases his ability to work with at-risk students and his commitment to providing tailored support for academic and social challenges. His background in leading workshops and providing individual counseling helps him stand out as a versatile counselor. For more on building a strong resume, check outResume Objective Examples.


Why This Resume Works

 

Ava’s resume highlights her experience in both middle and high school settings, demonstrating her adaptability. The inclusion of a peer mentoring program and collaboration with faculty further highlights her commitment to holistic student support. For tips on formatting your resume, see How to List Your Education on a Resume.


Why This Resume Works

 

Henry’s resume shows his ability to manage academic counseling and provide support for students’ post-graduation planning. His experience with parents and ability to develop targeted programs showcase his commitment to student success. For more on effective resume formatting, refer to Best Font for Resume.


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School Counselor Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

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Rod Schmidt
(342) 267-3321 | [email protected] | 3241 Pacific Avenue, Spokane, WA 99208

Profile

School Counselor with strong recent experience guiding and supporting students’ personal and academic development. Certified in substance use disorder and experienced in counseling students facing addiction issues.

Professional Experience

Guidance Counselor, Canton Academy, Bellevue, WA | August 2017 to Present

  • Provide counseling services including IEP meetings, academic and social guidance to an assigned cohort of students at a private middle school
  • Meet with parents, staff, students, and other professionals to create appropriate plans in the best interest of students
  • Coordinate workshops to address topics such as bullying, sexual harassment, and drug and alcohol abuse
  • Facilitate weekly meetings for students dealing with substance abuse issues in their family or peer group
  • Administer and interpret testing to help identify appropriate career and academic paths for each student

Tour Guide, See Seattle, Seattle, WA | October 2015 — March 2017

  • Research and plan tours for visitors to Seattle, Washington
  • Lead walking excursions of groups of up to 12 individuals at a time through Downtown Seattle
  • Prepare and give presentations
  • Offer sightseeing, shopping, and restaurant advice
Education

Master of Arts in Education (M.A. Ed) in School Counseling, Seattle University, Seattle, WA | September 2015 to May 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Reed College, Portland, OR | August 2011 to May 2015

Certifications

Substance Use Disorder Professional – 2017
Professional ESA Certificate – 2017

How To Write a School Counselor Resume

1. Write a brief summary of your school counselor qualifications

Start your resume with a short summary of your key strengths as a counselor. Include your title, years of counseling experience, and specializations. Also, add relevant keywords from the job posting to target your resume.

Senior-Level Profile Example


Experienced, licensed guidance professional with expertise in testing, education, career counseling, and family issues in middle and high school settings. Actively engaged with students in at-risk populations, coordinating both individual and small-group instruction and conflict resolution. Accomplished mentor and character coach. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

Entry-Level Profile Example


School counselor with strong recent experience guiding and supporting students’ personal and academic development. Certified in substance use disorders and experienced in counseling students facing addiction issues.

2. Create a powerful list of your school counselor experience

Your professional experience section should give examples of your work to build a positive learning environment and promote collaboration between students, parents, and teachers. For instance, demonstrate how you’ve counseled students to handle classroom behavioral problems. Highlight initiatives you’ve led, such as support groups, well-being events, or programs that reduced truancy rates.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example


School Counselor

Plano High School, Plano, TX | September 2015 to present

  • Provide guidance on academic performance, social skills, self-esteem, and attendance to students in grades 9 to 12 using person-centered, solution-focused technologies
  • Counsel students on friendship issues, bullying, classroom behavior issues, and issues in their home environment
  • Started biweekly “Boys-to-Men” group focused on conflict resolution, responsibility, anger management, and behavior
  • Coordinate with other school staff to organize events, including “Career Night,” “College Night,” and “‘You Can Win a Scholarship’ Night”
  • Collaborate with college guidance counselor to assess potential colleges for students
  • Facilitate, administer, and evaluate student testing
  • Contribute to team meetings on Individualized Education Plan (IEPs), truancy, student classroom performance, and crisis management

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example


Guidance Counselor

Canton Academy, Bellevue, WA | August 2017 to present

  • Provide counseling services, including IEP meetings, academic and social guidance to an assigned cohort of students at this private middle school
  • Meet with parents, staff, and students to set appropriate plans in the best interest of each student
  • Coordinate workshops to address topics such as bullying, sexual harassment, and drug and alcohol abuse
  • Facilitate weekly meetings for students dealing with substance abuse issues in their family or peer group
  • Administer and interpret testing to help identify appropriate career and academic path for each student

3. List your education and certifications relevant to school counselling

An advanced degree is usually necessary to be a school counselor, so show you have the formal education required for your role. Employers may also seek candidates with credentials such as Certified Professional Counselor or Certified School Counselor. Depending on the state, you may also need to show you’re licensed through the state department of education.

Education

Template

  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]

Example

  • Master of Arts in Education (M.A. Ed) in School Counseling
  • Seattle University, Seattle, WA | 2017

Certifications

Template

  • [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization – optional] | [Completion Year]

Example

  • Substance Use Disorder Professional | 2017

4. List your school counselor-related skills and proficiencies

In today’s hiring, most managers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to narrow down the applicant pool. Adding a key skills section to your resume can help the ATS flag you as a match and show a hiring manager you’d excel in the role.

Key skills for school counselors center on clinical competencies, empathy and compassion, active listening, and collaborating to ensure the best outcome for each student. Here are some examples of key skills a hiring manager may be looking for in a school counselor:

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Behavioral health Chemical dependency training
Clinical counseling Confidentiality
Cross-team collaboration Curriculum planning
Group counseling Human development
IEPs Parent-teacher conferences
Professional ethics Resource coordination
Student enrollment and orientation Test preparation and administration

How To Pick the Best School Counselor Resume Template

As with most vocations, school counselors should use a resume template that’s clear and straightforward. Opt for a layout that lets the hiring manager quickly review your best career details.

Select a traditional resume font, and avoid any template with colorful or elaborate design.

Also, ensure the template complies with the ATS used by employers to screen resumes.

Frequently Asked Questions: School Counselor Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for school counselor resumes?-

Action verbs help make your resume more engaging by letting the hiring manager visualize what you’ve done in other roles and how you can make a similar impact at their institution. But it’s easy to run out of words or feel like you’re repeating yourself as you write your bullet points. Luckily, the varied duties of a school counselor give ample opportunity to diversify your word choice. Here are some action verbs you can use:

Action Verbs
Addressed Advised
Assessed Created
Collaborated Coordinated
Counseled Developed
Documented Evaluated
Improved Initiated
Liaised Mediated
Prepared Referred
Resolved Reviewed
How do you align your resume with a school counselor job posting?-

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects school counselor job openings to increase by 10% through 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.

Although more openings may mean less competition, tailoring your resume to each position is key to increasing your chances of an interview. For example, if the school seeks a counselor to support small-group discussions and mitigate behavior issues, highlight your clinical counseling experience and child development training.

What is the best school counselor resume format?-

The combination format is generally best for school counselors. This style showcases your work history and key strengths so hiring managers get a full picture of you as a candidate. But a reverse-chronological resume can also be effective if you have an extensive work history and are applying for a senior-level role.

What’s the ideal length for a school counselor resume?-

A one-page resume is ideal for most school counselor positions, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. For experienced professionals, a two-page resume may be appropriate, but only if it includes valuable, job-relevant content. Focus on showcasing your key achievements, certifications, and skills that align with the job description.

Aim to include work experience from the last 10 to 15 years. Older roles can be summarized or omitted unless they add significant value. Keeping your resume concise and relevant will leave a strong impression on hiring managers.

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Expert Advice
Include a cover letter with your resume

A strong cover letter increases your chances of an interview because it lets you expand on your qualifications and why you want the job. Create an engaging, targeted cover letter by focusing on the hiring manager's needs. For more, see our guide on writing a cover letter and examples of school counselor cover letters.

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