4 Psychology Resume Examples & Templates for 2024

A psychology professional, often called a psychologist or therapist, is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues. They play a significant role in promoting mental well-being, providing support, and helping individuals navigate emotional and psychological challenges. To secure a job in the field of psychology, you need a strong resume that showcases your skills, experience, and therapeutic approach.

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Psychology Resume Example

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Entry-Level / Junior Psychologist Resume Example

An entry-level/junior psychologist is an emerging professional in the field of psychology. Their primary role is to assist in conducting assessments, providing support to senior psychologists, and contributing fresh ideas to therapeutic approaches. They help ensure that psychological services are delivered effectively and empathetically. Here’s a sample entry-level/junior psychologist resume:

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Mid-Level Psychologist Resume Example

A mid-level psychologist is a professional with several years of experience in the field of psychology. They are responsible for managing patient caseloads, conducting in-depth assessments, and supervising junior staff. They ensure that therapeutic services are delivered efficiently and effectively. Here’s a sample mid-level psychologist resume:

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Senior Psychologist Resume Example

A senior psychologist is a highly experienced professional responsible for leading large-scale therapeutic initiatives and guiding the strategic direction of psychological services within an organization. They manage teams, interact with clients at the highest levels, and ensure that therapeutic practices meet both clinical and ethical standards. Here’s a sample senior psychologist resume:

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Resume Templates for Psychologists

Based on the analysis of 11 million resumes created using the Zety Resume Builder, here are the top 3 template recommendations specifically for psychologists.

Cascade

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[image]This resume template features a clean white background with black text, offering a blend of simplicity and sophistication. It merges the strengths of infographic resumes with traditional formats, creating a seamless integration. Perfect for job seekers who prefer a reverse-chronological layout, it includes a slim sidebar on the left, ideal for outlining your career timeline.

Concept

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This modern resume template showcases a sleek design with a striking timeline. Professional and sophisticated, it is an excellent choice for office jobs and managerial positions. The elegant layout ensures your credentials stand out, providing a perfect mix of style and functionality.

Diamond

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This single-column resume template distinguishes itself with a unique timeline, icons, and subtle graphic elements, making it ideal for displaying an extensive work history. It ensures your professional journey is presented in a clear and memorable way.

How to Write a Psychology Resume:

1. Pick the Right Format for Your Psychology Resume

Crafting a standout psychology resume means highlighting your dedication to understanding and improving mental health. In a field where empathy and expertise are highly valued, showcasing your experience and skills clearly can set you apart. A well-organized resume not only reflects your professionalism but also your commitment to helping others.

To ensure your resume captures attention, follow these formatting guidelines:

• Format: use the reverse-chronological resume format to emphasize your most recent and relevant achievements effectively.
• Resume fonts: opt for professional fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman.
• Line spacing: set spacing between 1 and 1.15 for readability.
• Font size: use 11–12 points for the main text.
• Resume headings: set headings at 13–14 points.
• Resume margins: keep margins at 1 inch all around.
• File type: Save your resume as a PDF unless the job listing specifies a different format.

Aim for a concise one-page resume. If necessary, omit less critical information to focus on your key achievements.

Include these sections in your resume:

• Header: include your name and contact information.
• Summary: provide a brief overview of your professional highlights.
• Experience: detail your most significant psychology roles and achievements.
• Education: list relevant degrees and academic accomplishments.
• Skills: highlight skills that match the job description.
• Other sections: add relevant certifications, awards, or significant projects.

Not feeling the chronological resume format? See our guide: How to Pick the Best Resume Format

2. Highlight Your Impactful Experience on Your Psychology Resume

Your experience section should tell the story of your career in psychology, showcasing how you've made a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It's about telling your own professional story and illustrating your skills and achievements in a way that resonates with potential employers.

List your most recent jobs first. Add 5–6 bullet points that mix duties and professional accomplishments. Also, adjust those bullet points to the job description. Highlight direct client interaction, innovative therapeutic techniques, high-quality care, and community engagement.

To tailor your resume:

• Start with your most recent role.
• Include the organization’s name and your employment dates.
• Write a brief job description.
• Include six bullet points highlighting your key responsibilities and achievements.
• Use the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula to show your impact.

Here are some examples of responsibilities for a psychology resume:

Psychology Keywords for a Resume

• Develop and implement therapeutic interventions for individual and group therapy sessions.
• Collaborate with clients, families, and healthcare professionals to understand their needs and ensure treatment plans meet therapeutic goals.
• Manage case workflow, overseeing the entire process from initial assessment to treatment conclusion, ensuring timely and effective care.
• Conduct feasibility studies and assessments to determine the appropriateness of various therapeutic techniques and optimize treatment plans.
• Prepare detailed psychological reports and documentation, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including social workers and psychiatrists, to ensure comprehensive care.
• Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and legal regulations in all therapeutic practices.
• Implement innovative therapeutic techniques, integrating new methodologies and evidence-based practices into treatment.
• Utilize advanced psychological assessment tools and software to create detailed and accurate evaluations.
• Mentor and supervise junior psychologists and interns, providing guidance and fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

Use vivid, action-oriented language to describe your duties and achievements, making a job-winning resume. Here are some action verbs for psychology resumes:

Psychology Resume Action Verbs

• Assessed
• Diagnosed
• Treated
• Developed
• Implemented
• Collaborated
• Researched
• Facilitated
• Managed
• Provided

Pro Tip: There are 6,000+ new psychology doctorates each year. That’s a lot of competition. But only 50 are in developmental psychology, and 110 are in experimental psychology. The biggest field? Clinical psychology, with 2,480 new grads annually.

3. Describe Education in Your Psychology Resume

Your education section is a vital part of your psychology resume, especially if your degree is recent and relevant to the job you're applying for. If you graduated from a well-known program or studied under a notable professor, make sure to highlight these details.

Conversely, if your degree was earned a long time ago and from a less-known school, consider placing it further down your resume or omitting it if it's not highly relevant.

Include the following in your education section:

• Institution Name(s) and Location(s).
• Years of Attendance.
• Degree(s) Earned.

Pro Tip: Did you graduate before B.F. Skinner? In that case, don’t sweat the accomplishments. Make your education short, and save the resume space for your work history.

4. Use the Best Skills in Your Psychology Resume

In your skills section, emphasize your proficiency with therapeutic techniques, assessment tools, and any relevant software. Highlighting these can illustrate your ability to provide high-quality care.

Here’s how to choosethe right psychology skills:

1. Copy all the psychologist skills or resume keywords in the job posting.
2. Make a second list with your psychology skills.
3. Find matches between the two lists. Those will get you interviewed.
4. Prove the skills in your bulleted accomplishments.
5. Use both hard skills and soft skills for best results.

Psychology Resume Skills

Hard Skills

• Research
• Observation
• Assessment
• Behavioral Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Occupational Therapy
• Integrated Team Care
• Child Advocacy
• Evaluation
• Developmental Treatment

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal Skills
• Written Communication
• Verbal Communication
• Collaboration
• Active Listening
• Empathy
• Compassion
• Problem-Solving
• Ethics
• Active Learning

Looking for more skills for your psychologist resume? See our guide: +30 Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)

5. Enhance Your Psychology Resume With Key Sections

In the field of psychology, showcasing your specialized skills, professional achievements, and dedication can make your resume stand out. Adding sections like certifications, awards, and memberships not only highlights your expertise but also demonstrates your commitment to advancing mental health care.

1. Resume Licenses & Certifications

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP)
• Certified Mental Health Professional (CMHP)
• Crisis Intervention Certification

2. Awards and Honors

• Psychology Research Award
• Outstanding Clinical Practice Award

3. Professional Associations

Memberships in organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) or the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) reflect your engagement with the professional community and ongoing commitment to your field.

4. Notable Projects and Research

Highlight significant research projects, publications, or notable client outcomes to underscore your contributions to the field.

5. Personal Interests

List activities or areas of interest connected to your profession, such as exploring mindfulness techniques, writing a blog about psychotherapy, or sharing well-being tips on Instagram.

Pro Tip: How long should you make a resume for psychologist jobs? Make it two pages or longer if you’ve got lots of Aaron-Beck-style achievements from work or school. If not, don’t be ashamed to send a one-page resume.

6. Write a Psychology Resume Objective or Resume Summary

Your psychology resume should reflect not just your qualifications but your passion and impact in the field. Stand out by adding unique, compelling sections that highlight your dedication and specialized skills.

• A resume summary should demonstrate your broad experience and achievements, convincing employers of your top-notch talent.
• A resume objective should convey your enthusiasm and career aspirations, offering a snapshot of your focused goal. This is ideal if you’re starting your career or transitioning into a new role.

Here’s how to write a resume summary or resume objective:

1. Start with an adjective like licensed or compassionate.
2. List your job title (Psychologist, Senior Psychologist).
3. Add your years of experience (1, 5, 15).
4. Say what you want to do in your new role.
5. Highlight a significant achievement from your education or career.
6. Ensure your resume is free from any typos and errors.

Writing resume objectives doesn’t have to be hard. See our guide: How to Start a Resume

7. Attach a Cover Letter to Your Psychology Resume

A cover letter can be a powerful tool to introduce yourself and explain why you're the perfect fit for the job. Plus, it provides an opportunity to showcase your dedication to mental health, your understanding of therapeutic practices, and your ability to connect with clients on a deeper level. 

Here's how to write a compelling psychology cover letter:

1. Format your cover letter.
2. Begin your music cover letter with the hiring manager’s name.
3. Write an opening sentence for your cover letter that encourages you to read further. Did you win the Early Graduate Student Research Award? Get a big compliment from a past employer? Big wins make great cover letter ice-breakers.
4. In the second paragraph, show your understanding of the psychologist’s duties and responsibilities.
5. Showcase what you can achieve by applying your unique skills.
6. Conclude your cover letter with a clear reason for them to hire you.

Pair your cover letter template with a matching resume template. Typing out a cover letter in plain 12-point Arial just won’t cut it anymore. 

Want your psychology resume and cover letter to stand out? See our guides: How To Write A Cover Letter in 8 Simple Steps and How to Make a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Not quite ready for a psychologist resume? See these guides:

• Social Work Resume
• School Counselor Resume
• Camp Counselor Resume
• Pararpofessional Resume
• Academic Advisor Resume
• Mental Health Counselor Resume
• Case Manager Resume
• Dietary Aide Resume
• Bioinformatics Resume
• Best Resume Examples

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/social-sciences/what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-psychology-degree
• https://www.scu.edu/media/leavey-school-of-business/graduates/pdf-x2f-docs/GBCM-Impactful-Resume-Tips-Sheet.pdf
• https://blog.opencounseling.com/setting-goals-for-therapy/
• https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/07-08/datapoint