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.
Related
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)
Those Who Teach 