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School counselor resume example

A resume for a school counselor with six years in middle and high schools. Principals and counseling directors look for a licensed counselor who runs a data-informed program, not just a busy one, so the bullets connect counseling work to outcomes the school tracks.

School counselor resume example, page 1 of 2Imani FairweatherProfessional School Counselorimani.fairweather@example.com · (513) 555-0137 · Cincinnati, OH · linkedin.com/in/imanifairweatherSummarySchool counselor with six years in middle and high schools, running a comprehensive program based on theASCA National Model. I help students plan for college and careers, support them through hard years, anduse data to show the program is working.ExperienceSchool Counselor, Grades 9 to 12Aug 2022 – PresentLarchmont Ridge High School, Hamilton Creek City Schools · Cincinnati, OH•Counsel a caseload of 390 students across academic planning, college and career readiness andsocial-emotional support.•Raised senior FAFSA completion from 48% to 71% with FAFSA nights, text reminders and one-on-onehelp.•Run 6 small groups a year (grief, anxiety, study skills); 80% of participants improved attendance or gradesby the next quarter.•Coordinate 504 plans for 65 students and serve on the school crisis response team.•Trained 85 staff in suicide prevention as a certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor.School Counselor, Grades 6 to 8Aug 2020 – Jun 2022Fairhaven Middle School, Hamilton Creek City Schools · Cincinnati, OH•Wrote a 30-lesson advisory curriculum on social-emotional skills and career exploration for 600 students.•Cut chronic absenteeism among 40 students from 24% to 14% with a check-in, check-out mentoringprogram.EducationM.A. in School Counseling2018 – 2020University of Cincinnati · Cincinnati, OH•CACREP-accredited program; 600-hour internship at an urban high school.B.A. in Psychology2014 – 2018Xavier University · Cincinnati, OHLicenses and certificationsProfessional Pupil Services License, School Counselor2025Ohio Department of Education and WorkforceNational Certified Counselor (NCC)2021National Board for Certified CounselorsQPR Gatekeeper Instructor2023QPR InstituteImani Fairweather · 1 / 2
School counselor resume example, page 2 of 2SkillsASCA National Model · College and career advising · FAFSA and financial aid · Individual counseling ·Group counseling · Suicide risk screening (C-SSRS) · Crisis response · 504 plan coordination ·Attendance intervention · Naviance · PowerSchool · Program data and evaluationImani Fairweather · 2 / 2
School counselorUse this example

What recruiters look for

  • License and training: the state school counselor license, a master’s in school counseling, and any national certification.
  • Caseload and setting: number of students, grade levels and how the caseload is split.
  • Program results: FAFSA completion, college applications, attendance, course failures, graduation, discipline.
  • Mental health and crisis skills: risk screening, crisis response, referrals and suicide prevention training.
  • A comprehensive program: ASCA National Model, small groups, classroom lessons, advisory curriculum.

Writing the summary

Say your level (elementary, middle, high), years and the main parts of your program. Add one data point or a specialty such as college access, crisis support or attendance.

The summary in this example

School counselor with six years in middle and high schools, running a comprehensive program based on the ASCA National Model. I help students plan for college and careers, support them through hard years, and use data to show the program is working.

Elementary school counselor

Elementary school counselor with five years serving 450 students in grades K to 5. I teach weekly classroom lessons on feelings and friendship, run small groups for students facing divorce or grief, and partner with teachers on behavior plans that work.

Teacher moving into school counseling

Middle school teacher of eight years who has just completed a master’s in school counseling, with a 600-hour internship at a high school. I already know how classrooms work from the inside and want to support students as their counselor.

Bullet points that work

Strong lines for this role, beyond the ones in the example. Borrow the shape and put in your own numbers.

  • Helped 92% of seniors on my caseload submit at least one college, trade school or military application in 2025.
  • Lowered 9th grade course failures by 30% with a mid-quarter grade check and family outreach to 110 students.
  • Led 2,000 career interest inventories and built 4-year plans with every 8th grader.
  • Organized a college fair with 45 colleges and 6 trade programs, attended by 700 students and families.
  • Completed 140 suicide risk screenings in a year using the Columbia Protocol, with referrals and follow-up documented for each.
  • Wrote $25,000 in grants for a college access program serving first-generation students.
  • Taught 120 classroom lessons a year on study skills, healthy relationships and career planning.
  • Earned RAMP designation for the counseling program with 3 colleagues after a year of data collection.
  • Built a referral network with 8 community mental health providers, cutting wait times for students from 6 weeks to 2.

Skills to list

Hard skills

  • ASCA National Model
  • Individual and group counseling
  • Suicide risk screening and crisis response
  • College admissions and financial aid
  • Academic planning and scheduling
  • Career assessments and planning
  • 504 plans and MTSS
  • Program data and evaluation
  • Student information systems (PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, Naviance)

Soft skills

  • Active listening
  • Confidentiality and judgment
  • Advocacy for students
  • Working with families under stress

Certifications and licenses worth listing

  • State school counselor license or certificate: required in every state for public school counseling; list the exact name.
  • National Certified Counselor (NCC): a respected national credential from NBCC.
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC or LPCC): valued where schools offer mental health counseling, and useful for private practice later.
  • Suicide prevention training (QPR, ASIST) and Youth Mental Health First Aid: increasingly expected.

Length and format

One page for most counselors; two if you have ten or more years or program leadership roles. Put licenses on page one and keep internship details only for your first job search.

Common mistakes

  • Describing a busy day (“met with students”) instead of program results.
  • Using “guidance counselor” as your title when the job ad and state say “school counselor”.
  • Sharing anything about a specific student’s situation, even without a name.
  • Leaving out crisis and mental health training, which principals now ask about directly.

Questions and answers

Should a school counselor list their caseload?

Yes. The number of students and grades tells a principal what kind of program you ran. The ASCA recommended ratio is 250 students per counselor; many counselors carry far more.

Do I need teaching experience to be a school counselor?

Most states no longer require it, though a few still do or offer a different route without it. Check your state’s license rules and list any teaching you have done.

How do I show results in counseling, which is confidential?

Use group data: FAFSA completion, attendance changes, group outcomes, applications submitted, referrals completed. These are shared routinely in school reports.

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