The different types of Psychology resumes
Many psychologists and other psychology majors use a curriculum vitae to apply for academic teaching positions, fellowships, or grants. The CV serves as a detailed chronicle of the psychologist's academic accomplishments, publications, presentations, and research. A resume, meanwhile, serves as a snapshot of a person's career and how their credentials match the requirements of a given position. Those using a resume organize information with a specific format. Choosing the right format depends on a number of factors, particularly the strength of the candidate's employment history and the stage of the psychologist's career.
Functional:
While reverse-chronological resumes focus on work history, this format focuses on the applicant's skills and experience as a psychologist, including clinical and therapeutic skills. The format suits job seekers in the early stage of their career, those with employment gaps, and career switchers who can show how their specialized skills transfer to a particular job. |
Combination:
At the top of this resume, the candidate lists their skills and qualifications followed by a chronological work history. Like the functional resume, this format does not focus on work history. It gives the candidate a way to highlight unique experience and skills specific to the job. This remains a useful way to address red flags such as employment gaps or outdated skills. A psychologist with an employment gap may choose a functional-chronological resume to highlight both the specialized skills and work experience they bring to the position. |
Reverse-Chronological:
This format remains the one most used by psychologists not using a CV. Employers prefer this option since the format facilitates the easy scanning of your resume by recruiters and software programs. The format begins with a psychology resume "executive summary" that serves as your 30-second elevator pitch and summarizes your credentials and objectives. A listing of most recent jobs follow. Underneath the most recent job, the candidate lists other jobs in reverse chronological order. This format best suits job seekers with a strong employment history and consistent employment. Those beginning their careers should use a resume that highlights skills and experience. This format also facilitates easy customization and updates.
This format remains the one most used by psychologists not using a CV. Employers prefer this option since the format facilitates the easy scanning of your resume by recruiters and software programs. The format begins with a psychology resume "executive summary" that serves as your 30-second elevator pitch and summarizes your credentials and objectives. A listing of most recent jobs follow. Underneath the most recent job, the candidate lists other jobs in reverse chronological order. This format best suits job seekers with a strong employment history and consistent employment. Those beginning their careers should use a resume that highlights skills and experience. This format also facilitates easy customization and updates.
What is the difference between a resume and a CV?
Resumes
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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Source: https://www.apa.org/education-career/job-search/differences-resumes
Psychology Resume Guide - Via Psychologyjobs.com
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Resume Do's
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& Do not's
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What should I include on a Psychology Resume?
Education and Trainings
The psychology resume provides a full accounting of your education, degrees received, and training. Do not include graduation dates to prevent an incident of age discrimination. If enrolled in a degree or training program at the time of application, exclude the fact that the school has yet to give you your degree. Highlight your GPA if you hold an above-average score and highlight any specialized training to your credit, especially if it closely matches the needs of the position.
Experience
This area provides the forum for the applicant to showcase experience using the reverse-chronological format. Begin with the most recent job and add the company's name, location, your title, and employment dates. When highlighting duties, use short and clearly written phrases. This space requires the use of action verbs to begin each sentence or bullet point. Use positive adjectives as you outline your specific duties in each sentence or bullet point. The combined use of action verbs and positive adjectives dynamically tells what you did in the position. Overall, use the present tense for current positions and the past tense for ones you no longer hold.
Skills
Therapeutic, clinical, and research skills feature prominently in this section. But the section also highlights leadership and training, computer, or language skills. Clearly demonstrate how the psychology resume skills you list apply to the job description. Highlight any unique skills that set you apart from other candidates. One size does not fit all: tweak the skills portion of the resume to match the needs of each particular employer -- who may value one skill over another.
Licensure and Certifications
Note all relevant licensure and certifications you hold. List the full name of each licensure or certification, as well as the awarding entity. For each license, include the license number and expiration dates.
Awards, Accomplishments, Affiliations
Psychologists should highlight any prestigious awards and honors they hold. The resume should also include information about membership in relevant professional organizations. The creation of a special section at the bottom of a resume provides the forum in which psychologists highlight their accomplishments and affiliations. Target any information you provide to what the employer values.
Volunteer Work
Include volunteer work that relates to the position. Even if the duties of the volunteer position do not closely align with the requirements of the job, skills often transfer. Sometimes the volunteer position and skills do perfectly align.