Ten Action Verbs That Will Make Your Post-Teaching Resume Pop

If hiring managers spend an average of 6 seconds looking at your resume, how do you get their attention? And how do you keep them reading when they see most, or all, of your experience is in teaching?

One way is to use action verbs in your resume. Powerful and persuasive verbs help your accomplishments shine in the right light and get readers excited to learn more about you.

Here are ten action verbs that will show off your leadership, creativity, versatility and overall badassery:

1. mentored

mentored two graduate student teachers in lesson planning, grading and classroom management

2. trained

trained more than 100 staff across various departments to use new grading system

3. coached

coached girls’ volleyball team to first place in 2012 and 2013 county championships

4. advised

advised students in writing, editing, design, production and marketing of school yearbook

5. presented

presented physics teaching methods at National Science Teachers Association National Conference, 2014

6. organized

organized and chaperoned weeklong trip to Washington, DC, for more than 50 orchestra students

7. designed

designed senior service learning project chosen as elective by hundreds of students

8. founded

founded school-wide mindfulness meditation group attended by students, faculty and staff

9. adapted

adapted elementary math curriculum to students with varied skill levels

10. led

led students to strong performance on AP Spanish exam: 90% scored 4/5 or higher

I hope using these action verbs helps you feel proud of your accomplishments and more confident about finding Life After Teaching.

In fact, recent studies have shown that writing and editing stories about yourself can inspire you to stay positive and take transformative action. So think of your new resume and cover letters as opportunities to rewrite your story — and think about your next chapter.

Five Skills Teachers Have That Employers Want

Instagram It: How to Tailor Your Career Change Resume in Three Steps

Writing Your Way to Happiness (New York Times)

185 Powerful Verbs That Will Make Your Resume Awesome (The Muse)

Categorized List of Action Verbs (Purdue University)