School Counselor Resume Examples

Updated March 30, 2021

Downloadable Examples

People who choose to be school counselors have a well-deserved reputation for compassion, empathy, and concern for the students they are assigned to. The position requires a significant investment of time and effort, and in exchange these professionals are rewarded with respect, a high-level of job satisfaction, and good job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, school and career counselor positions are anticipated to add 26,800 new positions over the next ten years, which translates into job growth of 8 percent. This represents a much faster rate of expansion than is being seen in other occupations.

The fact that there’s a real and growing need for school counselors does not mean you can rest on your credentials and job title when it comes to a job search. The competition for good jobs remains fierce, so having a well-written resume is absolutely essential. To help you craft a resume that tells your story in the most effective way, we’ve provided four different downloadable examples for a varying levels of experience, plus expert tips on what you should feature.

Downloadable Resume Examples

No Experience

Example #1 No Experience

2-3 Years

Example #2 2-3 Years

5-10 Years

Example #3 5-10 Years

10+ Years

Example #4 10+ Years

School Counselor Resume Examples

Years of Experience
  • No Experience 0
  • 2-3 Years 2-3
  • 5-10 Years 5-10
  • 10+ Years 10+

Jeff Wallace
(305) 482-3482
[email protected]
14 Atlantic Avenue, Apt. 421, Miami Beach, FL  33141

Profile

Outgoing, empathetic licensed school counselor with passion for guiding special education and K-5 population. Knowledge of early education lesson planning, testing, and educational activities, as well as the social and emotional issues that most impact young children. Collaborative team player.

Key Skills

  • Diagnosing student needs
  • Individual counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Consultation with staff, students, and parents
  • Career counselling
  • Administering and interpreting achievement, interest, aptitude and personality tests

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, College Park, MD – August 2014 – May 2018

Master of Science in School Counseling
JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, Baltimore, MD – August 2018 to May 2020

Courses completed:

  • Human Growth and Development
  • Social and Cultural Diversity
  • Counseling and Helping Relationships
  • School Counseling/Group and Individual
  • Research and Program Evaluation
  • Ethical Practice

Professional Experience

Resident Advisor, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
August 2016 to May 2018

  • Encourage welcoming atmosphere and a sense of community for residents of University housing
  • Create engaging bulletin boards, door decorations and welcome decorations, as well as motivational decorations throughout the school year
  • Design and implement social and educational programs
  • Be available, visible, and responsive to residents in University housing
  • Be available after hours and on weekends, as well as during on-call times to respond to emergencies and assist in resolving issues
  • Promote a safe and healthy environment in coordination with Campus Safety, Maintenance, Housekeeping, and student government representatives
  • Assist with the opening and closing of campus housing and the room change process
  • Promote, uphold and enforce federal, state and local laws, University Standards of Conduct, the Housing Contract and the Honor Code

Camp Counselor, Camp Rockaway, Towson, MD
June to August 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016

  • Plan and implement program activities for elementary and middle-school aged children
  • Provide leadership and guidance for campers
  • Attend staff meetings and special events
  • Communicate positively and collaborate with camp management, other counselors
  • Mentor Counselors-In-Training
  • Adapt to changing needs and circumstances
  • Conflict resolution

Certification

  • Maryland State Department of Education Certification for School Counseling
  • National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) certificate

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

Profile

School Counselor with experience guiding middle-school students through academic curriculum needs, social behavior, mental and emotional challenges, and career development. Certified in Substance Use Disorder and experienced in providing supportive counseling for students facing addiction themselves and in their home environment.

Key Skills

  • Individual counseling
  • Consultation
  • Group counseling
  • Career decision-making guidance
  • Motivation
  • Program development
  • Identifying and making appropriate referrals
  • Assessment of abuse and addiction, and counseling

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
REED COLLEGE, Portland, OR – August 2011 to May 2015

Master of Arts in Education (M.A. Ed) in School Counseling
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY, Seattle, WA – September 2015 to May 2017

Professional Experience

Guidance Counselor, Canton Academy, Bellevue Washington
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 and implement workshops for staff, parents, and students addressing topics including drug use, alcohol use, tobacco and vaping abuse, bullying, and sexual harassment
  • Facilitate weekly meetings with students challenged by issues of substance abuse within their families or peer group
  • Administer and interpret testing to identify appropriate career and academic path for 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

Certification

  • Substance Use Disorder Professional – 2017
  • Professional ESA Certificate – 2017

Nicole Michaels
(452) 999-2209
[email protected]
Kansas City, MO 64030

Profile

Compassionate school counselor with 7+ years of positive direction of students’ emotional and academic needs. Active advocate on behalf of students facing bullying. Initiated anti-bullying workshops for students and webinar on bullying for school district parents.

Professional Experience

Middle School Counselor, Overland Park Junior High, Overland Park, MO
August 2017 — Present

  • Coordinate educational assessment strategies leading to appropriate placement of students
  • Assist with implementation of Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Student Study Teams (SST)
  • Provide both individual and group counseling services to accommodate the needs of students identified as struggling with bullying
  • Coordinate services to meet the developmental and remedial needs of students identified with learning disabilities, including Down Syndrome, sensory integration disabilities, and spectrum disabilities
  • Collaborate with school psychologist, teachers, and other school resources to meet student needs
  • Communicate and work with parents cooperatively

Anti-Bullying Specialist/Counselor, YMCA, Kansas City, MO
August 2014 — June 2017

  • Implemented program focusing on anti-bullying including conflict resolution, character education, self-esteem, and peer mediation
  • Communicated with local school administrators and counselors to update and involve them regarding activities
  • Coached educators in best practices to protect at-risk students and intervene where appropriate
  • Presented at local schools to educate students about the dangers of bullying and guide them through acquisition of the skills to become responsible advocates

Education

B.A. Psychology
ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY, Kansas City, MO September 2008-May 2012

M.A., School Counseling Program
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, Cape Girardeau, MO, August 2012-May 2014

Key Skills

  • Emphasizing family-community-school relationships to end bullying
  • Counseling based on student needs
  • Presentation
  • Learning strategies
  • Teaching self-management and autonomy skills
  • Social skill coaching
  • Career planning
  • Encouraging students to achieve academic success and fulfilling their potential
  • Identify systemic barriers deterring equitable access

Certifications

  • Missouri Initial School Counseling Certification 2019
  • American School Counselor Association Certification (ASCA) 2019
  • Missouri Licensed Professional Counselor 2014

D.J. Cantera
(217) 615-5982
[email protected]
334 El Paso Drive, Dallas, TX 75061

Profile

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

Professional Experience

School Counselor, Plano High School, Plano, TX
September 2015 — Present

  • Provide guidance in areas of academic performance, social skills, self-esteem, and attendance to students in grades 9 through 12 using person-centered, solution-focused technologies
  • Counsel students facing friendship issues, bullying, classroom behavior issues, and issues within their home environment
  • Coordinated bi-weekly “Boys-to-Men” group focused on conflict resolution, responsibility, anger management, and behavior
  • Coordinate with other school staff to organize school events including “Career Night,” “College Night,” and “You Can Win A Scholarship” night
  • Collaborate with college guidance counselor in assessment of potential colleges for individual students
  • Facilitate, administer, and evaluate testing for students
  • Coordinate and participate in team meetings regarding IEPs, truancy, student classroom performance, and crisis management

School Counselor, South Lake Middle School, Fort Worth, TX
August 2009 — June 2015

  • Identified students social, emotional, and academic needs and provided appropriate, compassionate assistance, guidance, and interventions
  • Support students through the unique challenges presented by their developmental stage
  • Created proactive programming designed to engage students in leadership and advocacy. Project involved collaboration with multiple stakeholders within the school community.
  • Assessed student abilities and interests to help guide them in decisions regarding curriculum
  • Counseled students challenged by stress of bullying, family transitions, or other issues impeding their success and wellbeing. Referred students for outside resources where appropriate.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Special Education
DREXEL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, Philadelphia, PA AUGUST 2003 — MAY 2007

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO, San Antonio TX September 2007 — May 2009

Key Skills

  • Advocacy for students at Individual Education Plan meetings and other student-oriented meetings
  • Data analysis to identify student issues, needs, and challenges
  • Crisis counseling
  • Application of academic achievement strategies
  • Referrals for long-term support
  • Collaboration with families/teachers/administrators/community to assure student success
  • Empathy
  • Strong assessment skills
  • Organization
  • Career development
  • Emotional development
  • Multilingual (English, Spanish, Arabic)

Certifications

  • Dyslexia Specialist Certificate – 2009
  • Graduate Certificate in Bilingual Counseling – 2014
  • Texas School Counselor Certificate – 2009

Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for School Counselor Resumes

School counselors are integral members of the schools or programs where they work, and hiring managers have very specific attributes and strengths that they look for. In most cases, school districts and private schools take advantage of Applicant Tracking Systems to help them distinguish those candidates whose experience and skills most closely align with their needs. These systems scan for keywords that have been programmed into them, and this makes the process of crafting a resume a much more technical exercise than ever before. Resumes that fail to incorporate these words can easily be filtered out by the computerized program, so it’s important for you to know the words and apply them to your profile, your key skills, and your descriptions of your previous experience. To help you as you prepare your resume, we’ve assembled the lists below of the skills and action verbs that you should include in your resume.

Key Skills & Proficiencies
Academic counseling Achievement focused
Anti-bullying expertise Career guidance
Community Resource coordination Conflict intervention
Crisis intervention Curriculum guidance
Diversity training High School counseling
K-5 counseling Learning disability strategies
Mediation Mental health referrals
Middle School guidance Small group coordination
Special Education strategies Substance abuse intervention
Testing and assessment
Action Verbs
Assess Collaborate
Communicate Connect
Coordinate Empathize
Evaluate Facilitate
Intervene Listen
Meet Test

Tips for Writing a Better School Counselor Resume

Highlight your areas of special expertise.

While all school counselors have the knowledge and training to assist students in the areas of academic achievement, personal and social development, and career development, today’s students face unique challenges, and a counselor who has earned a specialized certification or who has dedicated experience in those areas make themselves far more attractive to potential employers by including those details in their profile and description of previous experience.

Example #1

Good

Coordinated school-wide, anti-bullying campaign including mediation, roleplaying, and leadership training for students and staff members.

Bad

Bullying prevention

Example #2

Good

Leveraged Trauma and Crisis Management Specialist training to lead a response team after loss of a faculty member.

Bad

Provided support for those in crisis.

Write a professional profile that helps you stand out.

Your professional resume is more than just a list of your degrees and experiences. It is your initial introduction to a potential employer and your first opportunity to make a great impression. The best way to do that is by making sure that the profile you write captures what makes you stand out from other candidates. Highlight your accomplishments, your qualifications, and the attributes that will be most important to your success in the role.

Example #1

Good

Dedicated and compassionate school counselor focused on facilitating student success in all aspects of life. Experience with helping vulnerable students transition from middle school into high school environment, bullying prevention, and mental health interventions. Instituted highly successful teacher/student mentoring program for at-risk students.

Bad

Supportive school counselor with three years of high school experience. Strong knowledge of academic and social standards and anti-bullying techniques. Team player.

Example #2

Good

Proactive, engaged school counselor with a mission to guide students to realizing their true potential. Focus on partnering with parents/guardians, school staff, community members and the student to encourage growth, responsibility, achievement, and excellence in academics, career exploration, and citizenship.

Bad

Motivated school counselor with five years of experience in encouraging student success. Work well with other school staff to address student needs and effect student success.

How to Align Your Resume with the Job Description

When you chose to become a school counselor you were driven by your dedication to helping students, but that doesn’t mean that every environment or position matches your interests, needs, or experience. When assessing a job opening, you look for specifics that appeal to you, and when you find them you make the decision to apply. The hiring manager for the position you’re interested in goes through the same process, scanning your resume to see whether you’re a good fit for them. To increase your chances of having your resume flagged as a top candidate, you want to make sure that it clearly communicates how closely you are aligned with their search.

Doing this is not difficult, but it does involve some extra effort. It begins with going back and highlighting each of the key terms that the recruitment ad for the position has stressed, then revising your resume to make sure that those terms or specifications are reflected. Whether the terms included describe their student population, the particular challenges they face, the adjectives that they use to describe their community or any other detail, the more similar your self-description is to their terminology, the more likely you are to be called in for an interview.

Example School Counselor Job Description

School district seeks a school counselor to join our collaborative student support team. Applicants must be dedicated to providing developmental, preventative, remedial, and responsive service in tandem with school and school district staff. Focus includes academics, career, and personal development of students through the implementation of a guidance curriculum. Applicants must also be able to provide individualized crisis prevention services.

Responsibilities:

  • Classroom lessons on character, social-emotional learning and executive functioning skills
  • Assist all students on caseload with developing academic, career, and personal/social skills goals and plans
  • Interpret and utilize student data to support their growth
  • Provide individual and group counseling for members of the student community with needs including anxiety, depression, trauma, intellectual disability, autism, and other mental health categories.
  • Advocate for equity and access for all students in keeping with ASCA standards
  • Provide school staff with needed resources to accommodate needs of students
  • Use available technology to improve and enhance counseling services

Qualifications:

  • K-12 School Counselor certification
  • 5+ years working with children in grades K-8
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office applications
  • Previous experience in an urban environment, Title 1 school preferred

The job description makes clear the qualities that the employer’s perfect candidate would possess:

  • Experience with K-8 students
  • Ability to provide in-classroom guidance lessons
  • Comfort level in Title 1/urban school
  • Knowledge of productivity software
  • Team player
  • Counseling experience with specific identified concerns

The description of the job’s responsibilities makes clear that the school is looking for a well-rounded school counselor with strong skills and competencies in the challenges that their school population faces. By stressing your own experience in these areas, whether by describing the environment you worked in previously or citing specific experiences and success in addressing issues listed in their ad, you provide a potential employer with the confidence that you can do the job before they ever have the opportunity to interview you. Here’s an example of how a resume can be shaped to match the job description above:

School Counselor Work Experience Example

School Guidance Counselor,
City Line Middle School, September 2016 — Present

  • Collaborated with students, parents, and school staff to integrate guidance curriculum into daily activities of a 650-student Title 1 school
  • Introduced in-class sessions in support of social, emotional and academic needs
  • Coordinated meetings with families/guardians, teachers and administrators to assist in student success plans
  • Advised on social-emotional learning interventions based on student needs
  • Applied problem-solving strategies to address the needs of identified at-risk students

Other Resume Examples