Top teaching skills to look for in candidates
1. Teaching
Included in 35.23% of teaching job postings
Teaching skills include various strategies for conveying information to students. With strong skills as a teacher, the candidate can determine the best methods to keep learners engaged. You might include teaching skills in your job description if you expect candidates to have teaching experience.
Job description example: Effective elementary teaching skills
Assessing the skill: Looking for previous teaching positions on resumes helps evaluate this skill. You might also ask interview questions about teaching skills.
2. Communication skills
Included in 25.57% of teaching job postings
Teachers communicate instructions and knowledge to students. They also share updates and answer questions for parents, collaborate with colleagues to develop lessons and share feedback with administrators. Communication skills involve conveying messages clearly, being a good listener and engaging in discussion.
Job description example: Effective verbal communication and presentation skills with all ages
Assessing the skill: Discuss different scenarios during the interview to evaluate candidates’ responses to each situation.
3. English
Included in 13.49% of teaching job postings
Fluency in English ensures teachers can communicate clearly with students, parents and colleagues. Strong English skills are also necessary for teachers who instruct English classes.
Job description example: Fluent in written and spoken English
Assessing the skill: Language assessments can check for fluency in English.
4. Management
Included in 5.44% of teaching job postings
Teachers manage everything from schedules to classrooms. They manage student records, lesson plans, behaviors and supplies. Teachers sometimes serve as mentors to student teachers or team leaders. List specific management expectations in the job description.
Job description example: Ability to manage a classroom and student records effectively
Assessing the skill: Include management-related questions and scenarios in the teaching interview based on the specific management job duties.
5. Writing skills
Included in 5.4% of teaching job postings
Lesson plans, emails, worksheets and reports are a few of the documents teachers write regularly. Being able to clearly communicate in writing helps teachers produce professional, high-quality work. Some positions require candidates to teach writing, making it even more important to have strong writing skills. Detail what type of writing the position requires.
Job description example: Effective writing skills to produce error-free documentation
Assessing the skill: A formal writing test helps you evaluate each candidate.
6. Organizational skills
Included in 5.39% of teaching job postings
Organization involves keeping track of assignments, managing schedules and delivering results on time. Organized teachers present information in an orderly fashion and provide consistent instruction. Part of being organized is determining how much information to share at a particular time.
Job description example: Strong organizational skills when developing and presenting lessons
Assessing the skill: To assess this skill, ask scenario-based interview questions related to organization. You can also ask references about the candidate’s organizational skills.
7. Spanish
Included in 5.39% of teaching job postings
Some teaching positions require fluency in Spanish. This might be the case when teaching in a classroom with a large population of Spanish-speaking students. Another scenario is when you’re hiring someone to teach Spanish to English-speaking students. Specify this language skill if the position requires an understanding of Spanish.
Job description example: Fluent in written and spoken Spanish
Assessing the skill: You might require a Spanish language test to check for fluency.
8. Microsoft Office
Included in 5.37% of teaching job postings
Microsoft Office encompasses several software programs that help teachers develop materials. They might use Word to develop worksheets and lesson plans. Excel can help teachers track data, while PowerPoint works well for creating presentations. Indicate your preference for Microsoft Office skills if your teachers use this suite of software regularly.
Job description example: Advanced skills using Microsoft Office tools
Assessing the skill: Having candidates take an online Microsoft Office test assesses their skills.
9. Bilingual
Included in 5.1% of teaching job postings
Some educational positions require fluency in two languages. This could be the case if your student population predominantly speaks a language other than English. It might also be necessary when teaching English to speakers of another language. Being fluent in both languages makes communication with students and families more effective.
Job description example: Fluent in English and Spanish
Assessing the skill: Requiring a language test to ensure fluency in both languages can help evaluate candidates.
10. Childcare
Included in 5.07% of teaching job postings
Daycare centers often hire preschools teachers who also handle childcare. The program might include a learning element along with child care before and after the school portion. Include this skill if the candidate will be responsible for caring for children outside of their teaching duties.
Job description example: Experience working with children between the ages of 2-4 in a daycare setting
Assessing the skill: Look for applicants with related job experience or ask about childcare experience during interviews.
11. Computer skills
Included in 4.5% of teaching job postings
Having computer skills means the candidate knows how to use a variety of software programs and basic computer functions. Teaching positions often rely on computer programs to support learning and develop teaching materials. In your job description, mention computer skills along with specific programs you want candidates to be proficient in.
Job description example: Experience using various educational software programs
Assessing the skill: You might require a computer skills test or ask about computer experience.
12. Customer service
Included in 4.34% of teaching job postings
Teaching might not seem like a traditional customer service role, but teachers experience aspects of customer service in their daily responsibilities, such as communication with parents and administrators. Depending on your organization, such as daycares, customer service skills may be needed when conveying information related to programs and pricing.
Job description example: Exceptional customer service skills in an educational setting
Assessing the skill: Check for customer service experience on resumes or ask questions tailored to the type of customer service needed for your position.
13. Microsoft Excel
Included in 4.19% of teaching job postings
Microsoft Excel can help compile data to help teachers evaluate their students’ progress and improve their teaching methods. You might mention specific advanced Excel skills your teachers need when you draft your job posting.
Job description example: Intermediate Excel skills, including the ability to create tables and graphs and use basic formulas
Assessing the skill: Request that candidates take a Microsoft Excel test online or ask about their experience.
14. Experience with children
Included in 3.7% of teaching job postings
Having experience with children is often a job requirement for preschool and elementary classrooms. This experience doesn’t necessarily have to be in a teaching role. It could be through other work experiences, such as daycares or volunteer work.
Job description example: Previous experience working with preschool-age children
Assessing the skill: Previous job experience listed on the resume should reflect work with children.
15. Classroom experience
Included in 3.74% of teaching job postings
Many organizations expect teaching candidates to have previous classroom experience. This typically means teaching lessons and managing a classroom as the primary instructor. If you want candidates who already have experience in the classroom, consider mentioning this in the job description. You might specify a particular grade level or subject for the classroom experience.
Job description example: Two years of high school classroom experience
Assessing the skill: Resumes should indicate classroom experience under the previous jobs section.
16. Microsoft Word
Included in 3.25% of teaching job postings
Strong Microsoft Word skills enable teachers to develop worksheets, lesson plans, parent communication and other documents. Having experience with tables, graphics and other settings can enhance the results. When you write your job description, specify what Microsoft Word skills will be needed.
Job description example: Advanced Microsoft Word skills to create learning materials, such as progress reports and student assignments
Assessing the skill: Consider a general Microsoft Office or a specific Microsoft Word assessment.
17. Special education
Included in 3.03% of teaching job postings
Special education experience provides teaching professionals with the skills and knowledge to work effectively with students who have special needs. Specific skills include adapting lessons to different abilities, managing behaviors, communicating effectively and using various interventions. You might add this skill to your job posting if the position works with special education students.
Job description example: Experience working in special education classroom settings
Assessing the skill: Review applicants’ resumes to check for experience working in special education or for certification in this area.
18. Microsoft PowerPoint
Included in 2.96% of teaching job postings
Microsoft PowerPoint is a useful tool for creating classroom presentations to share instructional material. Teaching professionals can benefit from knowing how to create visually appealing slideshows and templates to make the process easier. If your organization uses PowerPoint as its main presentation tool, you might list the program in your desired skills.
Job description example: Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint skills
Assessing the skill: Require candidates to complete a Microsoft PowerPoint assessment as part of the interview process.
19. Time management
Included in 2.88% of teaching job postings
Curriculum plans often require teachers to cover large amounts of information within specific timeframes. Effective time management skills help instructors maximize their instruction time and improve learning outcomes. These soft skills also help teachers meet deadlines for grade reports and other required tasks.
Job description example: Strong time management skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines
Assessing the skill: Ask interview questions about prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines and maximizing classroom time.
20. Supervising experience
Included in 2.46% of teaching job postings
Teachers supervise students throughout the day in the classroom, on playgrounds, in lunchrooms and in hallways. They might also supervise associates, student teachers and parent volunteers. Effective supervision means the teacher ensures everyone is doing their job correctly and giving guidance. List any supervisory duties the teacher will have in your job advertisement.
Job description example: Ability to supervise classroom associates and parent volunteers
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates for examples of their supervisory duties.
21. Leadership
Included in 2.42% of teaching job postings
Instructors might also hold leadership positions. For example, school principals or those in administration generally have previous classroom experience and may act as mentors for newer teachers. If the position has a significant leadership component, include that in your job description.
Job description example: Effective classroom leadership skills
Assessing the skill: Look for previous educational leadership roles on resumes.
22. Tutoring
Included in 2.34% of teaching job postings
Organizations might hire individuals specifically for tutoring roles, or a classroom teaching position might require after-school tutoring duties. Being able to assist individual students based on their current skills is beneficial. If the selected candidate will perform tutoring duties, you might include it in the job posting.
Job description example: Effective math tutoring skills
Assessing the skill: Look for tutoring experience on resumes and ask tutoring-related interview questions.
23. Classroom management
Included in 2.18% of teaching job postings
Classroom management encompasses various strategies to create an orderly classroom with minimal behavioral disruptions. Effective classroom management skills help lessons run smoothly and create a positive learning environment.
Job description example: Effective elementary-age classroom management techniques
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates what classroom management strategies they use, including real-world examples of how those techniques worked.
24. Computer literacy
Included in 2.08% of teaching job postings
A teaching candidate with strong computer literacy skills may have experience using grade reporting systems, educational software and multimedia presentations. Computer literate candidates often feel comfortable using technology in new ways because they have a strong command of the basics.
Job description example: Comfortable with technology and strong computer literacy
Assessing the skill: Computer skills tests show how effective a candidate’s technology skills are.
25. Research
Included in 2.06% of teaching job postings
Teachers often research new strategies and methods to help their students. They might also need to research topics they teach that they aren’t familiar with. At the college level, teaching professionals are often required to do research. If the position is research-intensive, mention what types of research.
Job description example: Effective research skills related to child development and teaching strategies
Assessing the skill: Request examples of previous research and findings, such as reports written by the candidate.
Other top teaching skills in demand
Here are an additional 25 teaching skills that are common in teaching job postings on Indeed:
26. Analysis skills: Included in 1.8% of teaching job postings
27. Math: Included in 1.74% of teaching job postings
28. Experience working with students: Included in 1.66% of teaching job postings
29. Early childhood education: Included in 1.54% of teaching job postings
30. Higher education teaching: Included in 1.31% of teaching job postings
31. Curriculum development: Included in 1.14% of teaching job postings
32. Microsoft Outlook: Included in 1.11% of teaching job postings
33. Preschool experience: Included in 1.06% of teaching job postings
34. Mentoring: Included in 1.02% of teaching job postings
35. Project management: Included in 0.97% of teaching job postings
36. Administrative experience: Included in 0.93% of teaching job postings
37. Training and development: Included in 0.85% of teaching job postings
38. LMS: Included in 0.82% of teaching job postings
39. Public speaking: Included in 0.8% of teaching job postings
40. Behavior management: Included in 0.76% of teaching job postings
41. Word processing: Included in 0.76% of teaching job postings
42. Nursing: Included in 0.72% of teaching job postings
43. Adult education: Included in 0.71% of teaching job postings
44. Calculus: Included in 0.71% of teaching job postings
45. Lesson planning: Included in 0.71% of teaching job postings
46. Conflict resolution: Included in 0.71% of teaching job postings
47. Marketing: Included in 0.69% of teaching job postings
48. Data analysis skills: Included in 0.63% of teaching job postings
49. Google Suite: Included in 0.63% of teaching job postings
50. Sports coaching: Included in 0.63% of teaching job postings
¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – Dec 2023
