Principal Resume Examples & Template [2025]

Looking to craft the perfect principal resume? This guide covers everything you need to know, from writing a strong resume for principal roles to principal resume examples. Start building a school principal resume that reflects your leadership and dedication to education. Let’s begin!

This guide will show you:

• A principal resume sample that’s better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a principal resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a school principal resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for principal jobs.

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Principal Resume Template

Here’s how to write your own principal resume:

1. Format Your Principal Resume Template Correctly

When creating your principal resume, the design can be a crucial factor in making a positive first impression. To stand out in the educational field, you need a well-structured resume format that looks polished and professional.

To format your resume for a principal position:

• Begin with a resume header that includes your name, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile, and any relevant online portfolio links. These are the essential contact details for your resume.
• While you can omit your street address, do mention your city if it aligns with the location of the school you are applying to.
• Opt for a reverse-chronological resume format, where your most recent position is listed first. This is the preferred resume layout as it aligns with hiring managers’ expectations.
• Choose a clean, professional font like Calibri or Arial, keeping the font size on your resume between 10 and 12 points.
• Save your document as “Your Name - Principal - Resume.pdf.” A PDF file format ensures your layout remains intact.
• Typically, the ideal resume length for a principal is one page, but if you have extensive experience, a two-page resume is acceptable.

Read more: What to Include on a Resume

2. Customize Your School Principal Job Description

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you typically need around 5 years of professional experience in a related field to be able to apply for the position of a school principal.

But—it’s not just about quantity, it’s also about the quality of your experience, and the way you present it matters greatly how the quality of your experience will be perceived by the recruiter.

That’s why to capture the attention of hiring managers, it's crucial to customize your resume to match the specific job you're applying for. A generic list of duties won't suffice. Demonstrating how you excelled in your previous roles is key.

Here’s how to effectively highlight your experience:

• Use the job title exactly as it appears in the job posting. This ensures your resume is optimized for ATS systems that scan for specific terms.
• Include the organization's name and your employment dates, followed by 3–6 bullet points detailing your accomplishments. Focus more on recent roles.
• Highlight your achievements using metrics and key performance indicators, as these are powerful additions to a resume.
• Begin each bullet point with dynamic action verbs to make your contributions stand out.

School Principal Resume Examples: Sample Responsibilities

• Develop and implement educational programs that align with district and state standards.
• Lead and mentor faculty to foster a collaborative and innovative teaching environment.
• Oversee student performance assessments and implement improvement strategies.
• Manage school budgets and allocate resources effectively to enhance educational outcomes.
• Coordinate with parents and community stakeholders to support student development.
• Ensure compliance with educational policies and regulations.
• Implement initiatives to improve school culture and student engagement.

Remember to use action verbs that convey your responsibilities and achievements effectively. Here are some sample principal resume action verbs ideas:

Principal Resume Examples: Action Verbs

• Led
• Implemented
• Evaluated
• Managed
• Developed
• Mentored
• Coordinated
• Facilitated
• Spearheaded
• Enhanced

Read more: Things to Exclude from Your Resume

3. Make Your Education Section Count

Your educational background on a resume is more than just listing degrees. By illustrating how your education has honed your skills, you can elevate your resume’s impact.

Consider these resume tips:

• Place your degree information just after your work history for the best resume degree placement.
• If you're crafting an entry-level resume, include relevant classes demonstrating your capabilities.
• Even in resumes for experienced candidates, adding bullet points about fellowships, scholarships, or leadership roles can be beneficial.
• Debating whether to add your GPA? If it's impressive, showcase your GPA on a resume.

Read more: Presenting Your Major and Minor on a Resume

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4. Prove the Principal Skills the Company Wants

Crafting a compelling resume means more than just listing skills—it's about strategically aligning your expertise with what employers are seeking. Understanding the skills to include on a resume is crucial. Don't randomly choose skills; focus on those highlighted in the job description to catch the employer's eye.

Here's how to effectively present principal skills on your resume:

• Look for resume keywords in the job ad and incorporate them into your resume.
• Avoid overwhelming your resume with too many skills; a focused list ensures the essential ones stand out.
• Make sure these skills are reflected in your work and educational experiences to boost your chances of landing an interview.

To make your resume stand out, include a mix of these relevant school principal skills:

Sample Principal Skills for Resumes

• Educational Leadership
• Curriculum Development
• Staff Management
• Budgeting And Financial Planning
• Student Performance Evaluation
• Community Engagement
• Conflict Resolution
• Compliance And Regulation Adherence
• Strategic Planning
• Organizational Development
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Active Listening
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Attention To Detail
• Stress Management
• Teamwork Skills
• Computer Skills
• Adaptability Skills

Read more: Hard and Soft Skills: What's the Difference?

5. Add Other Sections to Your Principal Resume

To truly make your resume stand out, consider adding sections that highlight your professional depth and personal interests. These additions can offer a glimpse into your character and enhance your candidacy.

Here are a few sections to consider:

• Include any professional certifications relevant to your field.
• If you've published articles or research papers, publications on a resume can showcase your thought leadership.
• Memberships in professional organizations demonstrate your engagement; include them if relevant.
• Volunteering experiences, especially those that relate to education, can be valuable too.
• Highlight any language skills you possess, especially if they could benefit the school's diverse community.

Read more: Listing Awards and Honors

6. Write a Principal Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Engage the hiring manager with a strong resume introduction that encapsulates your key skills and experiences. Since many recruiters spend just seconds reviewing each resume, your opening paragraph should grab their attention quickly.

This section, often called a resume profile, serves as your professional snapshot. It's similar to an elevator pitch, condensing your career highlights into a brief overview. Aim for a succinct, impactful summary that captures the essence of your qualifications.

If you have a year or more of experience, focus on your job title, how you can benefit the school and a couple of significant achievements. This is your resume professional summary, prominently placed at the top.

For those writing a resume with limited experience, rely on accomplishments from academic or personal projects. This type of introduction is known as a resume objective, where you highlight your potential and eagerness to grow.

Read more: How to Start a Resume with Impact

7. Write a Cover Letter for Your Principal Resume

In today's job market, cover letters are crucial for setting yourself apart. Many candidates send out resumes en masse, but a personalized cover letter signals genuine interest and dedication to a specific role.

Here’s how to make a cover letter:

• Follow a professional cover letter structure, using the same header as your resume and concluding with a formal signoff.
• Understand how to format a cover letter: it should be concise, 3–5 paragraphs, and under a page.
• Start by mentioning the job title and include an engaging opener to maintain interest.
• In the body, highlight key achievements relevant to the principal role.
• Conclude with a strong cover letter closing statement that reiterates your skills and suggests further discussion.
• After applying, send a follow-up email weekly for a month, keeping it brief and attaching your documents.

Read more: How to Write a Cover Letter? Tips & Examples

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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With the right approach, your school principal resume can open doors to exciting opportunities. Remember, your effort in crafting a compelling resume reflects your commitment and professionalism. Thank you for reading, and feel free to leave any questions about creating a principal resume in the comments below.

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Sources

• University of California, Berkeley, "Conflict Management"
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals"