How to Write an (Online) Tutor CV: Writing Guide with Examples!

The demand for self-improvement and remote learning has notably increased in recent years, making it a prime time to excel as both an online and in-person tutor.

Ideal for those with excellent communication, patience and adaptability, online tutors enjoy the flexibility of working from home while addressing diverse learning needs. This guide helps you create a modern CV optimised for application tracking systems (ATS) to ensure you stand out.

Using an industry-ready CV template and following a step-by-step guide on how to write a good CV, you will create a CV emphasising educational prowess, tutoring expertise and the interpersonal skills that qualify you for tutoring jobs throughout the UK.

In this article, we cover:

• How to prepare a tutor CV in five steps.

• How to write a tutor CV with no experience.

• Must-have skills for an (online) tutor.

• Writing an impactful personal profile for (remote) tutoring jobs.

• Inspiration for work history entries and how to present limited experience.

Customise this CV example to get started

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Tutor CV example 

Using the Erasmus template, Sarah clearly lists her six-year work history on the left while highlighting relevant hard skills, education and professional qualifications on the right. 

What to include in a tutor CV? 

When crafting your CV as a tutor and for teaching opportunities online, it's crucial to tailor it to the specific needs of each agency or client while including essential components. These key elements should cover:

• A compelling personal profile highlighting your expertise and passion for teaching.

• A detailed account of your tutoring experience and any relevant projects or curriculum development.

• Descriptions of your teaching methodologies and any technical tools or platforms you are proficient in.

• A concise overview of your educational background and any specialised training or certifications relevant to your field.

A strategic approach to creating job-specific CVs is to begin the writing process with a master CV. This all-inclusive document acts as a template you can adapt to different tutoring opportunities. By maintaining an up-to-date master CV, you efficiently customise your applications for each job you apply for.

How to write a tutor CV with little to no experience

Many tutors, especially online tutors from creative industries, such as art, writing, and music, begin tutoring as a part-time job or with little to no experience. Below are our tips on how to get started when your work history still looks a little thin.

1. Create a personal profile showing enthusiasm for education and tutoring

   Begin your CV with a compelling statement reflecting your passion for education and desire to help others learn. Highlight your core soft skills, ambitions, relevant achievements, volunteer work or continuous learning efforts related to teaching.

2. Focus your work experience on transferable skills and contributions

   Detail any previous roles or projects where you utilised communication, organisation or problem-solving skills. Discuss contributions to team projects or any tasks that involved mentoring or any form of educational assistance.

3. Highlight personal and instructional skills

   Separate your skills into personal and instructional. For instructional skills, list any teaching methodologies (like differentiated instruction), educational tools (like learning management systems) or platforms (like Zoom) you're familiar with. Personal skills like empathy, patience and adaptability, should be woven into your personal profile and work experience.

4. Emphasise relevant educational coursework and voluntary teaching projects

   Include your degree(s) and relevant courses or subject-specific studies. Focus on academic projects, volunteer tutoring or group work that involved teaching concepts, even if they were part of a wider module or track.

How to write a tutor CV: 5 steps with examples 

1. What are the important skills for a tutor to have on a CV?

In the current tutoring market, clients and employment agencies are in a position to be picky. It is essential the skills you put on your CV quickly showcase you are an effective educator. Keep in mind, alongside a high aptitude for the subject expertise, tutors need to employ both soft and hard skills to excel.

Applicants with experience as a teacher may identify some transferable competencies such as having a flexibility, strong interpersonal skills and compassion for helping others.

If you are a student or recent graduate entering the workforce, focus on leveraging experience from your formal training or volunteer experience. Engaging with ‘buddy systems’ is a good way for aspiring educators to gather valuable experience.

5 essential skills for a tutor

1. Communication: The ability to convey information, instructions and feedback in a way students understand, ensuring effective learning and engagement in a classroom or virtual environment.

2. Adaptability: The capacity to adjust teaching strategies and content delivery to meet diverse and changing student needs. E.g., adapting to various digital platforms, learning paces or styles.

3. Organisation: Keeping lessons, schedules, student progress and resources well-organised. This ensures the smooth operation of classes and helps maintain efficient tutoring sessions.

4. Technical proficiency: Using hard copy and digital tools to facilitate online learning. This includes print materials plus knowledge of educational software and video conferencing tools to deliver seamless learning experiences.

5. Empathy: In the context of tutoring this means recognising the challenges students face in learning and providing the necessary support to help them overcome them.

Make sure you’re including these sought-after soft skills in your application.

*If teaching languages or English as a second language

2. How to write a personal profile for a tutor CV 

When getting your unique value as a tutor across quickly, always begin with power personal profile on your CV. This short text succinctly captures your experience, methods, areas of expertise and trademark soft skills.

This is an excellent place to focus on soft skills you don’t want an employer to miss. Those transferring from professions such as a nanny or librarian, will have several in-demand qualities like reliability, patience and an eye for detail.

3. How to include practical work experience 

When crafting the work experience section on a CV, showcase only your relevant experiences and accomplishments. As with other client-based jobs like consultant or translator, recruiters are particularly interested in specific, measurable achievements. Here are a few tips to effectively articulate your experience as a classroom or online tutor:

• Use action verbs like 'tutored', 'facilitated' and 'enhanced' and avoid pronouns.

• Organise your experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.

• Support your tutoring career with concrete evidence. In addition to describing your role, demonstrate why you are a standout candidate for the position. If you have experience with TEFL, mention it here!

• Use numbers and percentages to quantify your achievements.

• For work experiences older than ten years, leave the dates and place these roles in a separate ‘Additional Experience’ section, so as not to clutter your professional history.

• Clearly distinguish between your responsibilities and your achievements. List your duties and complement them with two significant accomplishments in bullet point format.

• Employ industry-specific terminology and acronyms to show familiarity with educational practices and standards.

Easily add your work experience to a professional CV template

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Tutor CV work experience examples

Maths tutor | Apex Learning Centre, London | 2022- Present

Responsible for delivering one-on-one and small group tutoring sessions in mathematics to students aged 14-18, focusing on GCSE and A-Level exam preparation. Tailor lesson plans to individual student needs, emphasising problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Demonstrate patience and adaptability in adjusting teaching methods based on student feedback and learning progress.

• Raised student average scores in GCSE Maths by 25% within a single academic year through customised practice tests and revision strategies.

• Enhanced student engagement in higher-level maths problems by 40% by integrating technology and real-world application examples into sessions.

Language tutor | Global Language Institute, Manchester | 2019 - 2022

Facilitated Spanish language acquisition for a diverse clientele, ranging from young learners to adults, using immersive teaching methods. Focused on conversational skills, grammar and cultural nuances. Employed strong interpersonal and communication skills to foster a supportive learning environment encouraging linguistic confidence.

• Increased students’ conversational fluency by 30% as measured by standardised oral assessment tools.

• Successfully prepared over 50 students for DELE exams, with 95% achieving B2 level or higher, reflecting effective curriculum adaptation and teaching.

Personal tutor | Independent, Bristol | 2017 - 2019

Offered tailored educational support across multiple subjects, including English, Science and History, to primary and secondary school students. Focused on comprehensive academic development, study skills and exam strategies. Utilised an empathetic and individualised approach to address each student’s unique challenges and goals.

• Improved students' overall academic performance by an average of 20% by implementing personalised learning techniques and assessments.

• Facilitated a 15% improvement in school entrance exam pass rates through targeted practice sessions and anxiety-reduction techniques.

Tutor CV work experience example with little to no experience

If you are entering the tutoring profession as a school leaver, graduate or after a career change, it is advisable to focus your work experience on transferable skills.

Below is an example work experience entry from a seemingly unrelated field. However, customer service has many shared skills with tutoring such as being good with people, solution-oriented and positive.

Customer service trainer | Tumult Call Center, Leeds | 2018 - Present

Responsible for training new customer service representatives in a dynamic call centre environment, utilising comprehensive communication and teaching techniques to facilitate learning and skill development. Specialises in delivering training modules that improve customer interaction and problem-solving skills, parallel to educational tutoring methods. Demonstrates strong leadership and adaptability, key for managing diverse learning styles.

• Developed and implemented a 'Customer Service Excellence' training program resulting in a 40% improvement in trainee performance metrics.

• Spearheaded a peer-mentoring initiative reducing onboarding time by 25%.

4. How to add education on a tutor CV 

Knowing how to include your education on your CV is important to showcase the appropriate qualifications. To become a tutor or online tutor in the UK, you typically need a degree in a specialist subject, such as mathematics if you plan to tutor A-level students. Additionally, teaching academic qualifications often require Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which can be acquired through postgraduate teacher training courses at university or via school-based programs.

Tutoring in a non-academic capacity - for example, teaching guitar via online tutorials or helping fellow students - may not require formal qualifications. However, certified training will increase your validity and build trust with students.

Tips on how to arrange education on a tutor CV:

• Begin with your highest level of education and work backwards in chronological order.

• List the degree name fully and the awarding institution.

• Include the year of completion or write 'in progress' if you are yet to graduate.

How to format education without a degree

Option 1

GCSEs: Windham College, 2017 - 2022, 8 passes, including English, French and Mathematics

How to format education with a degree

In this instance, list only your most recent formal education, university degree or diploma, and teaching qualifications such as QTS.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK, 2020

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Department for Education (DfE), UK

Certificate in Mathematics Teaching (CMT), University of Cambridge, UK

Certified Online Tutor (COT), Oxford Learning College, Oxford, UK

5. Include additional information if relevant 

Additional CV sections to support your application is a must for tutors aiming to set themselves apart. Tutoring is all about self-improvement, and your profile as a candidate should exemplify this. Below are a few examples of integrating additional sections into your tutor CV.

How to list languages on a CV 

Language skills on your CV is always a good idea, even if you aren’t planning on becoming a language tutor. It shows you have the drive to improve, plus the communication skills necessary to work with diverse people across borders.

Include the language and certificate name on your CV, your score and a description (e.g. Intermediate). If you do not have a certificate, use a self-assessment test and include the standard European grading scale CERF plus your level.

With certification

French: DELF B2  (Independent user)

English: EFSET 60 (Upper Intermediate)

Without certification

German: CEFR B2 (Upper Intermediate)

How to add courses and certificates 

Depending on your area of expertise, some additional certificates may be required. Listing courses and certificates on a CV show you have a well-rounded offer as a tutor. Start with the most recent first and include the name of the certificate, awarding institution plus date of completion.

Mathematics Pedagogy: Strategies for Effective Teaching, University of Warwick, 2022

Differentiated Instruction in Mathematics, Open University, Milton Keynes, 2021

How to include references on a CV 

Including references is an important part of proving your track record as a tutor plus gaining new work through referrals. While you do not need to include full testimonials on your document, you can a simple sentence as shown in the example below.

Key takeaways 

Here are five key takeaways to help create a professional CV for classroom and online tutoring:

1. Highlight essential skills: Include a mix of soft and hard skills relevant to online tutoring, such as communication, adaptability, technical proficiency and empathy.

2. Showcase educational expertise: Detail your educational background, tutoring experience and the teaching methodologies you're proficient in.

3. Construct a strong personal profile: Begin with a compelling personal profile that encapsulates your experience, teaching style and key soft skills.

4. Focus on relevant work experience: Emphasise work experience relevant to tutoring and highlight measurable achievements underscoring your effectiveness.

5. Include additional sections: Enhance your CV with additional sections like languages, certificates and references, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set.

Next steps?

To accompany your CV, discover our cover letter templates. If you don’t want to leave anything to chance, connect with our professional CV Writing Service. Draw inspiration from our blog for tips on how to save time, emphasise important sections and make it easier for hiring managers to grasp your unique professional offer.

FAQs 

How can I work as a tutor in the UK? 

To work as a tutor in the UK, you may need relevant qualifications, a DBS check, and to register with tutoring agencies or advertise independently.

Can an international student work as a tutor in the UK?

International students can work as tutors in the UK if their visa conditions permit employment. Check your visa restrictions carefully.

How much do private tutors get paid in the UK?

Private tutors in the UK typically earn between £15 and £40 per hour, depending on their expertise, location, and the subject taught.

Are online tutors in demand in the UK? 

Yes, online tutors are in demand in the UK, especially for subjects like maths, sciences, and language studies due to flexible learning trends.

What qualifications do I need to become a tutor?

To become a tutor, you typically need expertise in a specific subject, potentially a relevant degree, and sometimes Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for certain academic levels.