How to Incorporate Must-Have Action Verbs for Teacher Resumes

When a hiring manager spends only about seven seconds reviewing your resume, every word matters. Using action verbs on your teaching resume that align with your skills and experiences can make your accomplishments jump off the page.

You've already done the legwork in researching how to write a resume, so putting the finishing touches on this document should be a breeze. Here's your guide to choosing and using teacher resume verbs that will stand out to employers.

What are action verbs, and how can you use them?

Your resume is a summary of your relevant talents and experiences, tailored to suit the specific position for which you are applying.

You'll want to identify keywords in the position description for each opening and use those same words, framing them with strong action verbs, to capture the readers' attention.

Action verbs are powerful and persuasive verbs that help your accomplishments stand out in your resume and differentiate you from the competition. Active, engaging buzzwords on your teaching resume will make the hiring committee excited to learn more about you.

Here are eight examples of every-day resume words for teachers, and our suggestions for how to make them stronger and more active. 

• Helped a group of eight first-year teachers.
  Instead of using the word helped, try sponsored, championed, mentored, aided or counseled.
• Led supplementary tutoring for 7th-grade students with learning difficulties.
  Instead of using the word led, try executed, coordinated, headed, orchestrated or oversaw.
• Researched the benefits of adding SMART Boards to classrooms and presented those findings to the budget committee.
  Instead of using the word researched, try analyzed, evaluated, estimated, calculated or predicted.
• Organized the viability of parent-teacher in-services to maximize communication and student engagement within the school district.
  Instead of using the word organized, try assembled, devised, piloted, hosted or coordinated.
• Created a new unit study to meet curriculum standards and encourage students' interest in DIY technology.
  Instead of using the word created, try pioneered, devised, designed, founded or formulized.
• Implemented engaging lesson plans increasing student learning by 15 percent.
  Instead of using the word implemented, try charted, formalized, incorporated, initiated or instituted.
• Collaborated with a team of faculty to develop an after-school tutorial program for under-achieving students; improved end-of-year test scores by 11 percent.
  Instead of using the word collaborated, try shaped, motivated, united, cultivated or fostered.
• Improved average scores on state math exam by 12 points.
  Instead of using the word improved, try advanced, delivered, boosted, maximized or outpaced.

Why are action verbs useful on a teacher's resume?

Hiring managers and search committees receive hundreds ― sometimes thousands ― of applications for every job opening. At these volumes, it's impossible to review every teaching resume. Some schools and districts use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to prescreen applications for relevant keywords and qualifications. Once a committee narrows down the candidate pool to a handful of qualified applicants, they go back to the teacher's resume to search for ways to rank candidates. Here is where the good resume words for teachers come in. 

Crafting your teacher resume requires you to believe in yourself and draw attention to your accomplishments ― something that doesn't come naturally to everyone. But to manage a classroom and teach your students, you'll need confidence. The confidence that you bring to your resume will be apparent to employers and hiring managers. If you want an employer to believe you're the ideal candidate for the position, you need to use language that shows you're both friendly and self-assured.

But a great teaching job may not be the only benefit. Research shows taking the time to write expressively about yourself can also boost your mood. Brainstorming your strengths and accomplishments can give you a better idea of what you have to offer an employer, which you should also highlight when learning how to write a cover letter. Writing your resume is also excellent prep for the interview, which you'll be sure to land with a resume that features action-oriented buzzwords for teachers. 

Use our Resume Builder to put together a resume that's free of errors, as well as professionally designed and packed with action verbs. As you review your finished resume, look for ways to strengthen your verbs to show evidence of your accomplishments and passion for teaching.

Ready to write your cover letter? You'll definitely need one to go along with each and every resume you create for a particular teaching job. Our Cover Letter Builder will help you draw on your experience to create an engaging introduction that puts your perfect teaching job in reach.