Resume Examples for Adjunct Professors

Resumes and CVs for adjunct professors vary greatly depending on experience level, from entry-level instructors to seasoned educators. Review our tailored templates for each stage and leverage our Resume Builder to craft your own effective document.

Entry-Level Adjunct Professor Resume

Ideal for recent graduates and those transitioning into academia, this template supports educators crafting a resume with no experience while showcasing their teaching skills and academic achievements.

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Why this resume works:

The thoughtful font selection in this resume contributes to a polished, professional appearance that improves readability. For the best fonts for a resume, consider using Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman, as hiring managers favor these for their clarity and professionalism.

Mid-Career Adjunct Professor Resume

A smart choice for educators with substantial experience, this template effectively showcases teaching accomplishments and prepares professionals for advanced academic roles or leadership positions.

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Why this resume works:

Action verbs such as “taught,” “developed,” and “improved” underscore key teaching capabilities. Metrics such as “increased student exam scores by 20%” and “managed curriculum for over 150 students” are presented in clear, concise bullet points that effectively showcase achievements.

Experienced Adjunct Professor Resume

An ideal choice for educators with over a decade of experience, this template suits adjunct professors pursuing senior academic roles or leadership opportunities in higher education.

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Why this resume works:

This resume showcases over 14 years of experience in higher education, placing the reverse-chronological work history at the forefront. By prioritizing demonstrated skills and accomplishments through practical teaching experience, the resume underscores their advanced career level.

Adjunct Professor Resume Template (Text)

Use this customizable text format of an adjunct professor resume to copy, edit, and personalize directly in your document.

Jane Williams

San Diego, CA 92115

Professional Summary

Adjunct Professor with 8 years of higher education teaching, curriculum development, and assessment experience across community and four-year institutions. Proven record boosting student success, retention, and course evaluations through student-centered, data-informed instruction and educational technology. Skilled in online and hybrid course design, academic advising, and inclusive pedagogy, delivering high-impact learning outcomes in humanities and general education programs.

Work Experience

March 2022 – March 2026

Northeast Metropolitan University – San Diego, CA

Adjunct Professor

  • Taught 4 courses yearly; raised pass rate by 18%
  • Designed LMS modules; cut grading time by 25%
  • Advised 30+ majors; boosted retention by 12%

March 2018 – February 2022

Harborview College of Arts & Sciences – San Diego, CA

Visiting Lecturer

  • Delivered 3 seminar series; NPS improved by 22%
  • Created OER content; cut textbook costs 40%
  • Led assessment project for 250+ undergrads

March 2016 – February 2018

Baystate Community University – San Diego, CA

Part-Time College Instructor

  • Taught 6 sections yearly; evals averaged 4.7/5
  • Flipped classroom; boosted engagement 30%
  • Co-led grant project securing $45K funding

Education

May 2014
Boston University Riverside, CA
Master of Arts Higher Education and Teaching

May 2012
University of Massachusetts Amherst Riverside, CA
Bachelor of Arts English and Educational Studies

Certifications

  • Online Teaching and Course Design Certificate – Quality Matters Institute
  • College Teaching Excellence Program – Center for Teaching & Learning, Boston University
  • Inclusive and Equitable Instruction Credential – Association of College and University Educators

Skills

  • Curriculum design and course development
  • Student-centered instructional strategies
  • Online and hybrid teaching (LMS, Zoom)
  • Learning outcomes and assessment design
  • Academic advising and mentoring
  • Classroom management and engagement
  • Educational technology integration
  • Research, writing, and scholarly editing

How to Write an Adjunct Professor Resume

If you want to know how to write a resume for an adjunct professor position, it means showcasing your teaching experience and academic qualifications in a clear format that expresses your suitability for the role. Use the guidance below to emphasize your strengths and tailor your resume for the specific positions you’re applying for.

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be prominently displayed at the top of your resume to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Be sure to include:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • City and state (ZIP code is optional)
  • LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)
TipPRO TIP

Avoid including personal information such as age, religious beliefs, photos, or Social Security numbers on your resume unless the employer specifically requests it.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a brief, strong section that asserts your key qualifications and professional identity in just two to four sentences. It serves as a compelling introduction to hiring managers, aiming to spark their interest in your application and prompt them to explore your credentials further.

Typically found at the top of your resume, this profile can be formatted as either a summary or an objective, each with unique intentions. Understanding these differences will help you craft a more effective resume:

  • A resume summary highlights key academic expertise, instructional skills, and significant educational accomplishments. This format is particularly beneficial for those with a solid teaching record or transferable experience who aim to demonstrate their contributions as adjunct professors.
  • A resume objective focuses on your career aspirations and what you aim to accomplish in your professional journey. It’s particularly useful for recent graduates, individuals changing careers, or those with limited experience, such as coding bootcamp graduates or professionals shifting into education.

Let’s compare a resume summary and a resume objective to understand their distinct purposes:

Adjunct professor resume summary example:

Dedicated adjunct professor with over 6 years of experience in higher education, specializing in curriculum development and student engagement. Proficient in online teaching platforms, academic advising, and creating inclusive learning environments. Acknowledged for fostering student success through innovative instructional strategies and collaborative learning experiences.

Adjunct professor resume objective example:

Dedicated PhD graduate in Education excited to embark on a teaching career in a dynamic academic environment. Committed to fostering student engagement and learning, ready to bring innovative instructional strategies and a collaborative spirit to a college or university setting.

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is an important foundation for showcasing your qualifications. Employers assess not only job titles and responsibilities but also how job seekers have contributed to their previous roles.

This part of your background underscores your expertise as an adjunct professor and illustrates how your past achievements align with the requirements of the position you seek.

The work experience section should contain:

  • Job title
  • Employer name and location
  • Dates of employment (month/year)
  • 3–5 bullet points describing your teaching responsibilities and course development achievements

When crafting your work experience bullet points, tailor your language to resonate with the adjunct professor role. Start each statement with a strong action verb—consider using “Instructed,” “Developed,” or “Evaluated” to convey your impact.

Incorporate quantifiable metrics to illustrate your achievements. By showcasing specific numbers or outcomes, you effectively highlight your value and set yourself apart from other applicants.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Developed and delivered engaging course materials for over 50 students each semester, resulting in a 95% pass rate among participants in advanced nursing courses.

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Increased student engagement by 30% through the implementation of interactive teaching methods and real-world clinical scenarios.

Explore more examples of work experience specifically for adjunct professors further down the page.

4. Skills

The skills section provides a concise overview of your professional abilities as an adjunct professor, showcasing relevant expertise. This ATS-friendly resume section allows scanners and hiring managers to quickly assess your qualifications.

Skills can be grouped into three key areas:

  • Soft skills are interpersonal qualities that influence how well adjunct professors interact with students and colleagues. Important soft skills include communication, adaptability, empathy, and collaboration.
  • Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities that can be acquired through education, training, or practical experience. For an adjunct professor, examples include curriculum development, lecturing on specialized topics, and grading assignments.
  • Technical skills are the specific competencies required to use tools and technologies effectively in a profession. For an adjunct professor, this includes familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS), video conferencing platforms, and grading software.

Overall, ensure your resume highlights a well-rounded set of skills that match the adjunct professor position. For further examples related to this profession, explore additional resources provided on the page.

TipPRO TIP

If you’re a newer adjunct professor, consider placing your skills section higher on the resume, right after your summary. For those with more teaching experience, it’s better to place this section lower and weave your relevant skills into your work history to create a cohesive narrative.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume begins by listing your most recent or relevant degree, clearly stating the degree type and school name.

If you have recently graduated, consider including your graduation year, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher), any honors received, and relevant coursework that highlights your expertise.

Adjunct professor resume education section example:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Graduated: 2023 | Summa Cum Laude

TipPRO TIP

When listing your degrees on a resume, always arrange them in reverse-chronological order, beginning with the highest qualification like Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) followed by Master of Arts in Education (MAED).

6. Certifications

Certifications illustrate your qualifications and up-to-date knowledge in academia. While not always included in a traditional resume, this section is important for many adjunct professors. Universities often require specific credentials for specialized teaching positions, such as advanced degrees or specialized training relevant to the subject area.

Highlight certifications that strengthen your application and align with the roles you’re pursuing. Ensure these credentials are up to date and presented in a clear format to strengthen your candidacy.

Adjunct professor certification examples:

  • Adjunct Professor Certification | Higher Education Commission | Expires: 01/2028
  • Teaching Excellence Certificate | University of Education | Expires: 11/2027
  • Online Teaching Certificate | Distance Learning Association | Expires: 03/2028
  • Curriculum Development Certificate | Educational Institute | Expires: 09/2027

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Tailor Your Work History to Beat the ATS

Your work experience section is more than just a compilation of job titles. It serves as a powerful opportunity to highlight the measurable impact you’ve made in your academic field, demonstrating how you have influenced students and contributed to educational outcomes. Presenting this information effectively can lead to an ATS-friendly resume that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can easily scan.

To create a compelling work history, tailor it specifically to the role you’re targeting by incorporating relevant keywords from the job description. Begin by carefully analyzing the listing to identify frequently mentioned skills or qualifications. Reflect these elements in your descriptions of past experiences to align closely with what employers are seeking.

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder — based on what hiring managers respond to most.

  • Delivered engaging lectures to over 50 students per semester, improving course completion rates by 20%.
  • Developed and implemented innovative curriculum materials, leading to a 15% increase in student evaluations for course quality.
  • Mentored graduate students through research projects, fostering academic growth and improving thesis completion rates.
  • Collaborated with faculty members on interdisciplinary teaching initiatives, enriching the educational experience for diverse learners.
  • Used online learning platforms to facilitate remote instruction, achieving a 90% student satisfaction rate during virtual classes.

Example of Skills for Adjunct Professors

Including the right skills for your resume demonstrates to employers and ATS that you have the essential abilities for success in academia. Resumes are often scanned quickly, so it’s important to keep this section focused, relevant, and aligned with the job description.

The skills listed here reflect current priorities in higher education. These capabilities commonly appear in successful adjunct professor resumes and resonate well with hiring managers seeking qualified job seekers.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Effective communication
  • Mentorship and guidance
  • Curriculum development
  • Student engagement strategies
  • Research collaboration

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Curriculum development
  • Student assessment strategies
  • Online learning platforms (Canvas, Blackboard)
  • Research methodology
  • Classroom management techniques

Key Takeaways

  • Tailor your resume to the job description. Use specific terms from the posting that align with your experience, catering to both ATS and human reviewers.
  • Highlight quantifiable achievements. Illustrate your impact with metrics (e.g., student retention rates, course ratings, published articles) to make your application stand out.
  • Select an appropriate format based on your experience level. Early-career professionals might prefer a functional layout, while seasoned educators often choose reverse-chronological resumes.

More Resume & CV Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Update:

What resume format should I use for my adjunct professor resume?

When preparing your resume as an adjunct professor, consider these three primary formats. Your choice should reflect your experience level and the aspects of your career you wish to highlight:

  • Chronological: The chronological resume format is the most widely used, emphasizing your work experience, responsibilities, and achievements. This structure is particularly beneficial for applicants whose job history directly reinforces their qualifications, providing a clear narrative of their professional journey without highlighting skills separately.
  • Functional: The functional resume, or skills-based resume, highlights qualifications and skills over work history. This format is particularly beneficial for those lacking relevant experience in the field or who have significant employment gaps. By focusing on what you can do rather than when you did it, you present your strengths more clearly.
  • Combination: The combination resume format integrates features from both chronological and functional resumes, showcasing skills alongside work history. This approach allows professionals to emphasize their core competencies while also illustrating their career growth, making it ideal for those seeking to pivot or advance in their careers.
Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

Yes, you should include a cover letter with your application for an adjunct professor position. A well-crafted cover letter improves your resume by allowing you to articulate your teaching philosophy and relevant academic experiences that may not be fully captured on your CV. It demonstrates to hiring committees that you’ve personalized your application and are genuinely interested in contributing to their educational community, which can set you apart from other job seekers.

If you’re hesitant about writing a cover letter, there are ample resources available to assist you. You can find guides on how to write a cover letter as well as examples specifically geared toward academia. Exploring different formats will help you choose one that best showcases your qualifications and aligns with the expectations of the institution you’re applying to.

To make the writing process easier, consider using a cover letter generator, which provides templates and tailored suggestions for crafting an effective document based on the specific adjunct role you’re pursuing.

How long should a adjunct professor resume be?

Adjunct professors with less than 10 years of experience should keep their resumes to one page, focusing on teaching experience, research, and relevant academic credentials. Highlight courses taught, publications, and any professional development that supports your expertise.

For those with more than 10 years of experience or in specialized roles, a two-page resume is acceptable if it remains concise and relevant. Emphasize leadership in curriculum development, significant research contributions, and advanced qualifications without including unnecessary details.

What keywords should I include to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

To improve your chances of getting past the ATS, focus on incorporating keywords directly from the job posting. Look for terms related to your teaching expertise, such as curriculum development, student engagement, or online instruction. These specific phrases will help your resume stand out.

Additionally, be sure to include any relevant certifications, like a PhD in Education or Teaching Credential, and technical tools you’re adept with, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) or video conferencing platforms. This not only showcases your qualifications but also aligns with what hiring managers are looking for.

Should I include guest lectures or community workshops on my adjunct professor resume?

Yes, including guest lectures or community workshops is important, especially if your formal teaching experience is limited. These activities demonstrate your ability to engage diverse audiences and contribute to academic outreach, which can strengthen your application for adjunct positions.

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Megan Dawkins Career Industry Editor

Megan Dawkins is a career industry editor who empowers job seekers to take control of their career paths using Monster’s comprehensive job search and resume tools. She specializes in helping job seekers navigate the flexible job market.

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