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 This remains a useful way to address red flags such as employment gaps or outdated skills.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.
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What is the difference between a resume and a CV?

Resumes

• Headings: 
  • A more or less standard set of ordered headings, with several optional headings available.
• ​Summary Statement or Job Objective: 
  •  A summary statement is often used, informing the employer of what your target is and what you have to offer in terms of skills that are attractive to the employer, as well as accomplishments.
• Accomplishments: 
  • State accomplishments and transferable skills that pertain to your job target.
• Education:
  • ​Usually used as an adjunct to a work history and, except for recent graduates, is placed at the end. Dates of degrees may or may not be stated.
• Chronology:
  • ​​Important: Experience should always be in reverse chronological order with all time covered. One chronology per resume is almost always the rule.
• Appearance and Length:
  • ​Important! The first page must grab the reader's attention, and the most important information should be able to be found and read in seven seconds flat. Hardly ever longer than two pages.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Heading:
  • A standard set of headings, with some variance in the order, and with more optional ones available to allow for a more individualized and tailored document.
• Summary Statement or Job Objective: 
  • A summary statement is never used. Education is always listed just below the name and address. Occasionally, a job objective is used, but only if the goal is different than an employer would expect.
• Accomplishments:
  • Avoid stating accomplishments. Use credentials and selectively use headings which will showcase the attractive features of your work. CVs are based more on credentials than performance.
• Education:
  • ​An essential feature of the CV: degrees and credentials must be described in detail, and dates of degrees should always be stated.
• Chronology:
  • Experience should be in reverse chronological order, but there may be chronologies for various headings; therefore, time coverage is not quite as important as on a resume.
• Appearance and Length:
  • ​Important: the first page must grab the reader's attention but it should also entice him/her to spend time to read it through. Depending upon experience, it can be much longer than two pages.

Source: ​https://www.apa.org/education-career/job-search/differences-resumes

Psychology Resume Guide - Via Psychologyjobs.com

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Your resume/CV is the key to getting an interview

Resume Do's

• Highlight your strengths and interests as well as your qualifications.
• Do your Research 
  Never write a one-size fits all resume. Research the different operations of each employer, their culture, processes, and the requirements for the position. You want to match your credentials as best you can. 
• Format your resume so it serves the functions of grabbing the reader's attention and highlights your credentials.
• Create an outline of your strengths and weaknesses to think about the 
• Use white spaces.
  Use white spaces to aerate your resume and avoid to surcharge the page. You want to fit all of your awesomeness into one page, but if you’re reducing margins and your page looks like a literary bomb exploded on it, it’s not good. 
• Use consistent, readable font sizes.
• Keep a consistent styling.
  Under no circumstances should you apply different styling to separate sections of your resume. If your text is Times New Roman 11 and your titles are Times New Roman 18, that should be the golden rule for your entire resume.​

& Do not's

• Never send a “naked” CV/résumé without a cover letter. Cover Letters help to remind the employer about why you are reaching out and want this job. 
• Don't divide your resume into columns. 
  Avoid two columns, as it splits the page in two, which forces the recruiter to make a decision between starting to read the left or the right hand part first. 
• Don't write blocks of text 
  Use a mix of paragraphs and bullet points for the sections in your resume. For example, you can describe each position you had in one short paragraph and then add 2 - 3 bullet points to outline your achievements. You can also just use bullet points, but never just paragraphs.​
• Never sacrifice the readability of your document for its aesthetics!​​

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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.