“Psychologist” is a general term encompassing many particular areas of specialization, but no matter what the specific area, the majority of your peers will have a doctoral degree. Those with master’s degrees are often on their way to their doctorate as they decide on their specialty.
– Research psychologists work primarily in academia, government, or private research organizations. They conduct carefully controlled trials to understand how memory, thought, and perception work.
– Developmental psychologists work to understand past behavior patterns and development in order to correct behavioral disorders.
– Forensic psychologists study the motivations and actions of criminals. They can work with criminals in their rehabilitation, or they can work with law enforcement to help identify or interrogate suspects. They assess competency, provide expert testimony, and perform psychological evaluations.
– Clinical psychologists work toward the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of mental disorders. They usually work with doctors to set a course of treatment for their patient.
– Industrial psychologists work as consultants to businesses or within the company’s human resources department. They assist with screening applicants and training new employees.
– School psychologists work with all involved parties in a student’s educational environment, including teachers, parents, and the student. They evaluate students to identify special needs, if any, and make recommendations accordingly.
– Social psychologists research societal trends in behavior, often focusing on leadership and group behavior. Their findings often influence system designs and marketing.
Benefits of Working in the Psychology Field
The American Psychological Association defines psychology as €œthe scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes.€ If you’ve always wondered why people act the way they do, you’re in the right occupation. Your curiosity and critical thinking will be invaluable as you explore the many possible reason for behavior, whether it’s in a clinical, legal, academic, industrial, or societal setting.
Why You Need a Resume
You’ve got your doctoral degree, or you’re working toward it. You’re smart. You know you need a great resume. If you’re already working and you’re thinking of changing your specialty, you need to highlight how your experience will crossover. Resume-Now has resume examples to get you started.
Psychology Resume Templates
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Psychology Resume Questions
Take a look at a relevant psychology resume sample. You might notice it does not mention the applicant’s hobbies. This is the general practice in many industries today, including the psychology field. Oftentimes, hiring managers prefer to read about your professional background rather than your personal interests.
Include hobbies in your resume only if you feel they directly relate to the job at hand. Even if you have relevant interests, it may be more appropriate to mention them in an interview and use the limited space in your document to emphasize skills and work experience.
Whatever your specialty within the psychology field, you most likely will find that competing candidates have similar skills, education, and work history. Consider using our experienced resume builder to create a document that sets you apart from these candidates.
Stand out by making sure your resume follows the example of a pertinent psychology resume sample. Use your summary statement to identify a few top qualifications and your skills section to communicate proficiencies you find in the job listing. Begin every line in your work experience section with an action word and use numbers, figures, and percentages when describing your accomplishments.
Because your summary statement is the first main part of your resume, it is often the first—and sometimes only—section hiring managers scan before deciding whether or not to continue reading your document. Therefore, it is imperative to use this section to pique their interest.
As an exceptional psychology resume sample exemplifies, this section should incorporate a few of your most impressive qualifications in just a few concise sentences. Mention relevant experience or education. Also indicate hard and soft skills such as expertise in psychological assessments, interpersonal communication, and patience.
Prospective employers skim through your core qualifications section to decide if you possess the proficiencies necessary to fill the open position. Follow the example of our psychology resume sample by using bullet points and short phrases to help employers read through this section quickly.
If you study a relevant psychology resume sample, you will see that education is usually positioned at the bottom of a resume. This section should be succinct, listing the title of your degree and basic information about the academic institution from which you obtained it. Include the name and location of the school and special academic honors, but exclude your GPA.
Do not reference your high school if your received postsecondary education. If you have more than one degree, list the most advanced and recent ones first and continue in reverse chronological order.
How to write a Psychology Resume
- Brainstorm your accomplishments – Take a piece of scratch paper. Make a list of your achievements.
- Seek a solid Psychology resume sample to serve as your guide – Browse through our resume samples to find one that can guide you as you make your own.
- Make a simple header at the top of your Psychology resume – Craft a header with aesthetics and practicality in mind. Include the following: your name, phone number, email address, and personal website (if applicable).
- Create a compelling summary statement – Compose a summary statement that showcases your skills, accomplishments, and your overall professional character. Make sure that it aligns with the needs expressed in the job description.
- Make a list of your skills in a relevant section – Read the Psychology job description carefully. Note the preferred and required skills. If you have any of the appointed abilities, include them in this section.
- Dive into your work history as a Psychology – List the jobs you’ve had in reverse chronological order. Write the dates you worked, the position you held, and the name of the company.
- Include a concise account of what you did at each job listed – Go back to the list you created in step one. Using this, make a short list of your responsibilities and successes at each job. Relate it to the needs expressed in the job description.
- Provide your education at the bottom – Put your degree on your Psychology resume. Write the date, degree obtained, and institution where you received your highest degree. If you don’t have a degree, include a diploma and any relevant certifications.