After School Counselor Resume Guide
After school counselors help students develop their social, emotional, and educational skills in a safe environment. They provide guidance to children after the regular school day has ended by facilitating activities like games and sports that promote team-building and communication. Additionally, they help with homework assistance as needed by providing resources such as textbooks or internet access for research purposes.
Your experience and passion for working with youth make you an ideal candidate to work as an after school counselor. But employers don’t know who you are yet, so in order to get their attention, create a resume that highlights your unique qualifications.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
After School Counselor Resume Sample
Jasen Satterfield
After School Counselor
[email protected]
895-632-5770
linkedin.com/in/jasen-satterfield
Summary
Detail-oriented after school counselor with five years of experience working with elementary and middle school children. Skilled in developing creative activities to help kids learn, grow emotionally, and develop social skills. Passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of youth through mentorship programs. Recognized for creating successful partnerships between families, schools, and other organizations that have contributed significantly to student outcomes at XYZ School District.
Experience
After School Counselor, Employer A
Buffalo, Jan 2018 – Present
- Accurately evaluated the needs of over 100 students aged 4-12, providing guidance and support to help them achieve personal goals.
- Introduced new after school activities for children with different interests, resulting in a 20% increase in student engagement and participation.
- Spearheaded an initiative that encouraged healthy eating habits among young people; reduced junk food consumption by 45%.
- Reorganized existing resources to streamline administrative tasks such as scheduling classes and registering participants; saved $1,000 on costs within one year period.
- Monitored behavior of students during recreational times and supervised play areas while ensuring their safety at all times; reported any incidents or concerns immediately to the supervisor/principal if necessary.
After School Counselor, Employer B
Austin, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Planned and implemented a variety of recreational activities, such as sports and arts & crafts for 25+ children aged 6-14 each day; successfully improved their social skills by 30%.
- Meticulously documented all daily records in the after school program, including student attendance and behavior logs; provided detailed reports to parents upon request.
- Encouraged students to develop strong problem solving abilities through interactive learning games, resulting in an average increase of 10% on academic test scores within 3 months period.
- Improved classroom organization and cleanliness standards significantly by reorganizing shelves with books & toys twice weekly; decreased accidents due to clutter from 20% to 0%.
- Prepared nutritious snacks for the children every day using fresh ingredients that met dietary guidelines set forth by health regulations; saved $500/month in food costs compared with pre-existing menus.
Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Mentoring
- Crisis Intervention
- Group Facilitation
- Child Development
- Parent Communication
- Behavior Management
- Creative Problem Solving
- Time Management
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified After School Professional (CASP)
National AfterSchool
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
A resume summary for an after school counselor should highlight your ability to create a safe and nurturing environment for children. You can mention the number of years you have been working with kids, any awards or certifications you possess that are related to counseling, and how your experience has enabled you to develop innovative activities that engage students. Additionally, it is important to emphasize your strong communication skills as well as your commitment to helping young people reach their full potential.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Reliable after-school counselor with 5+ years of experience in youth development and mentoring. Seeking to bring my enthusiasm for working with children, along with my extensive knowledge of behaviors and positive reinforcement strategies, to ABC After School Program. At XYZ, successfully implemented a rewards system that increased student participation by 50%. Recognized as an enthusiastic leader who can effectively motivate students while providing them the support they need to succeed.
Professional after-school counselor with a passion for working with children and helping them to reach their full potential. 5+ years of experience in developing positive relationships with students, providing guidance on social/emotional issues, managing daily activities and maintaining safety guidelines. Seeking to join ABC After School Program as an assistant program director where I can use my expertise to help foster the growth of youth in our community.
Proficient after-school counselor with 8+ years of experience providing academic and emotional support to elementary school students. Proven track record in creating a safe, nurturing environment while teaching children basic life skills such as teamwork, problem solving, and communication. Eager to join ABC After School Program where I can use my extensive knowledge and passion for youth development to help empower the next generation of leaders!
Passionate after school counselor with over five years of experience in providing quality guidance and support to children ages 5-18. Experienced in developing stimulating after school programs that help kids grow socially, emotionally, physically and academically. At XYZ School I have organized several successful events which have helped build a sense of community among the students while promoting self-confidence and leadership skills.
Talented after-school counselor with 10+ years of experience in youth development. Skilled at leading diverse groups of children and teens ages 5 to 18, providing mentorship, guidance, and support through creative activities. At XYZ School implemented a successful program that improved student attendance by 20% over six months; also led an after-school club for 4th graders that increased their math scores on the state test by 3 points.
Well-rounded after school counselor with 8+ years of experience in providing homework assistance, developing recreational activities and organizing mentorship programs. Proven track record of successfully managing challenging student behavior while fostering a safe learning environment. Seeking to join ABC School as the next after-school program coordinator to help build an engaging and supportive community for students.
Committed and enthusiastic after school counselor with 5+ years of experience organizing and leading activities designed to help kids reach their full potential. Able to create a safe, fun environment for children while providing support and guidance. Seeking the opportunity to join ABC After School Center as an instructor in order to foster meaningful relationships and positive learning experiences for students.
Driven after school counselor with 4+ years of experience working with diverse groups of youth. Eager to join ABC After School Program and develop a safe environment for underprivileged students in the community. At XYZ, implemented a comprehensive behavior modification program that improved student engagement by 45%. Awarded “Outstanding Educator” award from parent organization for excellence in mentorship.
2. Experience / Employment
For the experience section, list your employment history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job listed first. Stick to bullet points for this section; it makes it easier for the reader to take in what you have to say quickly.
When writing out each point, make sure that you provide detail and quantifiable results when possible. For example, instead of saying “Provided guidance and support,” you could say, “Counseled 15+ students per day on academic performance issues while providing resources and strategies that resulted in a 20% increase in grades.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Supervised
- Mentored
- Facilitated
- Monitored
- Assisted
- Encouraged
- Guided
- Counseled
- Mediated
- Collaborated
- Organized
- Planned
- Developed
- Implemented
- Evaluated
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Expedited
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Implemented age-appropriate activities and lesson plans to engage over 50 students in after school programs, fostering a safe environment for learning and growth.
- Assisted students with their individual educational goals by tutoring them in Maths, English, Science and other subject areas; helped raise the overall average test scores by 15%.
- Counseled at-risk youth on developing positive social skills through group discussions & roleplay exercises; effectively reduced behavioral problems among participants by 12%.
- Diligently monitored student attendance records as well as behavior issues both in the classroom setting & during field trips; improved punctuality rates from 67% to 90% over 6 months period of time.
- Revised existing safety protocols and emergency evacuation procedures for all after school activities twice a year following relevant guidelines set forth by local authorities.
- Guided over 40 students ages 5-14 in a safe environment, providing them with emotional and academic support after school hours; successfully reduced disciplinary cases by 30%.
- Assessed the core competencies of all students to develop personalized learning plans based on individual needs and capabilities.
- Represented organization at various events such as open houses, parent-teacher conferences, community activities; increased student involvement rate by 80%.
- Formulated educational programs that included math & science classes, English grammar lessons and physical education exercises for kids; achieved an average grade improvement of 10% per semester among participants.
- Effectively managed classroom discipline issues while maintaining a positive atmosphere conducive to learning through creative teaching methods like role playing games or outdoor activities; enhanced student engagement levels by 20%.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents and administrators to develop creative lesson plans that improved academic performance by 10% among after school participants.
- Optimized daily operations of the program through effective scheduling; reduced costs associated with supplies and staff time by 35%.
- Facilitated group activities such as sports games, board games, arts & crafts projects for 40+ students per day; implemented positive behavior management strategies to ensure a safe learning environment.
- Monitored student progress on assignments in order to provide individualized assistance when needed; achieved an 80% success rate in helping students finish their homework within designated timeslots each week.
- Substantially increased parent participation rates from 20-30 families at the beginning of the year up to 75 families by organizing biweekly meetings and informing them about upcoming events related to their children’s education.
- Presented weekly educational lessons and activities to 50+ children aged 5-12, fostering a safe environment for the development of their social and interpersonal skills.
- Thoroughly prepared weekly lesson plans that incorporated different topics such as reading comprehension, math problem-solving and physical education; increased student engagement levels by 25%.
- Participated in various extracurricular events with students on behalf of the school district, leading team building exercises which improved collaboration amongst members.
- Supervised 8+ counselors during after school program hours while providing guidance when faced with challenging situations; successfully resolved an average of 6 behavioral issues daily without incident or disruption to other participants.
- Developed comprehensive programs designed to teach life skills like time management, communication & conflict resolution over a 2 month period; saw test scores rise 10% across all subjects within 3 months.
- Streamlined after school program operations and processes, resulting in a 25% reduction of administrative workload.
- Advised 30+ students on various topics such as study habits, goal setting & social skills; helped to improve academic performance by 15%.
- Achieved perfect attendance record over two years while managing complex shift scheduling for 10 counselors across 3 schools within the district.
- Coordinated activities with teachers and administrators to ensure successful implementation of after-school programs covering computer science, art and dance classes at all three locations weekly; increased student participation by 40%.
- Consistently monitored 20+ children during lunchtime sessions to facilitate healthy eating habits and promote positive behavior among students.
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills to successfully mediate disagreements among students and build relationships with parents, leading to a reduction in behavioral issues by 30%.
- Mediated peer conflict within the classroom setting and ensured that all children were treated fairly; enforced disciplinary measures when necessary while also providing emotional support for vulnerable students.
- Competently planned activities such as field trips, outdoor games, art projects and team-building exercises which promoted healthy social interaction between participants from diverse backgrounds.
- Structured daily lesson plans incorporating fun learning elements into educational topics like mathematics, science & English literature; improved student engagement levels by 15% over a 6 month period.
- Reduced costs of supplies through careful budgeting without compromising on quality or quantity of resources available; saved an average of $600 per month on books & other materials needed for after school programs.
- Utilized a variety of age-appropriate activities to engage and supervise over 40 students in an after school program, providing a safe and encouraging environment for students to learn and grow.
- Compiled weekly lesson plans tailored according to the needs of each individual student; achieved 95% satisfaction rate from parents on end-of term evaluations.
- Mentored young children aged 4-7 years old with their homework assignments, helping them develop better study skills while also enhancing their confidence in learning new material independently.
- Organized multiple field trips and recreational outings such as picnics, movie nights etc., increasing community engagement by 20%.
- Confidently handled emergency situations arising out of bullying or other behavioral issues amongst children using effective verbal deescalation techniques learned through specialized training courses.
3. Skills
Two organizations that have advertised for a position with the same title may be searching for individuals whose skills are quite different. For instance, one may be looking for someone with experience in conflict resolution and the other for a background working with children.
It is important to tailor your skills section of your resume to each job you are applying for, as many employers use applicant tracking systems that scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.
In addition, it is beneficial to highlight the most relevant skills by providing examples of how they have been used in past roles or experiences. This will help demonstrate why you would be an ideal candidate and make sure that hiring managers take notice!
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Behavior Management
- Child Development
- Conflict Resolution
- Creative Problem Solving
- Crisis Intervention
- Group Facilitation
- Mentoring
- Parent Communication
- Time Management
4. Education
Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, mention it below your resume objective. However, if you have plenty of relevant work experience to showcase, omitting the education section is perfectly fine.
If an education section is included, try to mention courses related to after-school counseling that demonstrate knowledge about working with children and adolescents.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise in a particular field. They can show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to become certified, which proves that you are knowledgeable and competent in this area.
When applying for jobs, it is important to include any certifications relevant to the position on your resume. This will give hiring managers an indication of how qualified you are for the job and could help them make their decision when considering candidates.
Certified After School Professional (CASP)
National AfterSchool
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Jasen Satterfield, this would be Jasen-Satterfield-resume.pdf or Jasen-Satterfield-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Submitting a cover letter is one of the most effective ways to make a strong impression on prospective employers. Cover letters are usually 2-4 paragraphs in length and provide an opportunity for you to introduce yourself, explain why you’re a great fit for the role, and showcase your unique skillset.
Whilst cover letters may not be required for every job application, they offer many advantages that can help increase your chances of getting hired. For instance, it allows recruiters to get more insight into who you are as a person and what value you could bring to their team if selected.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Hosea,
I am writing to express my interest in the after school counselor position at [school name]. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and extensive experience working with children of all ages. In my previous role as an after school program coordinator, I was responsible for developing and implementing enrichment activities for elementary and middle school students.
I am confident that I can be an asset to your team. I am passionate about working with children and helping them reach their full potential. I have a strong understanding of child development and know how to create an environment that is both safe and stimulating for young minds. In addition, I have excellent organizational skills and am able to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications can best meet the needs of your students. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [your phone number] or [your email address] to schedule a meeting. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Jasen