My account

You control your data

We use cookies to tailor the experience of creating resumes and cover letters. For these reasons, we may share your usage data with third parties. You can find more information about how we use cookies on our Cookies Policy. If you would like to set your cookies preferences, click the Settings button below. To accept all cookies, click Accept.

Settings Accept

Cookie settings

Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

Choose type of cookies to accept

Analytics

These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.

Performance and Personalisation

These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.

Advertising

These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.

Necessary

These cookies are essential for the Site’s performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.

To see a detailed list of cookies, click here.

Save preferences

Psychologist Resume Example & Skills for a Psychology Resume

Don't let Freudian slips ruin your psychologist resume. Follow the advice from career experts to write a resume for psychology pros that reinforces your career goals.

Aleksandra Makal
Aleksandra Makal
Career Expert
Psychologist Resume Example & Skills for a Psychology Resume

A hiring manager reads a good psychology resume and immediately picks up the phone. Like Pavlov's dog. They can’t help it. They’ve got to meet the person behind the paper!

 

If you’re on a job hunt, you obviously want to be that person. And you can be. You just have to craft the perfect psychology resume that will make the right impact.

 

In this guide:  

  • A psychology resume example that gets jobs.
  • How to format your psychologist resume so it looks professional.
  • What kind of skills and achievements recruiters are looking for in a resume for psychology professionals.
  • A list of key skills for psychology resumes.

  

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

 

Create your resume now

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWpsychology resume example

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

 

Not ready for a career as a psychologist? Check out these resume examples:

 

Psychology Resume Example

 

Jason D. Dehaven

4930 Watson Lane

San Antonio, TX 78217

830-224-7357

JasonDDehaven@gmail.com

www.linkedin.com/in/jason.dehaven

 

Summary

 

Driven and ambitious psychology professional with 4+ years of experience leading individual psychotherapy sessions using empirically-based treatments to help patients. Met with over 100 patients monthly: individuals, couples and families. Conducted 4 experiments with 252 undergraduate students to investigate the relationship between general and academic procrastination with mental health and life satisfaction.

 

License 

 

TexasState Board of Examiners of Psychologists

 

Experience

 

Certified Psychologist

Mindside, San Antonio, TX

March 2017-May 2021

  • Conducted intensive therapy sessions with more than a 100 patients monthly with varying ethnic, social, educational, and economic backgrounds.
  • Facilitated 6 group therapies in anger management and substance abuse that showed significant reduction in symptoms upon conclusion of treatment. 
  • Created and led a social skills group for children with Asperger's Syndrome.
  • Provided counseling for 15 families who have experienced the death of a child.
  • Created individualized treatment plans for each client and assisted the clients in achieving the objectives of the goals they created.

 

Psychology Intern

San Antonio Therapy Center, TX

September 2015-April 2016

  • Conducted over 50 comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluations of high school students referred for significant learning and/or emotional concerns.
  • Prepared comprehensive and multidisciplinary reports of each patient assessed; interpreted assessment findings for staff, family members, and other authorized persons as necessary.
  • Helped facilitate couple counseling sessions.
  • Completed special projects in a timely manner.

 

Education

 

BS in Psychology

The University of Texas, Dallas, TX

2016

  • Graduated Magna Cum Laude
  • Honored with Harry S. Truman Scholarship

 

Skills

 

  • Empirical psychology
  • Statistical analysis
  • Group therapy techniques
  • Strong writing skills
  • Public speaking
  • Time management
  • Communication
  • Flexibility
  • Goal setting & prioritization

 

Certifications

 

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders Postbaccalaureate Certificate

Psychologists are mental health professionals who strive to help others learn constructive ways to overcome mental health challenges. To write a successful psychology resume, you should demonstrate your knowledge alongside psychology skills such as interpersonal and problem-solving qualities.

 

Now here’s what to include on your resume:

 

1. Select the Right Psychology Resume Format

 

First things first. The layout of your resume. Let’s satisfy the narcissist hidden inside the recruiter and make it perfect.

 

With these resume format tips, you will make your resume clean and looking professional:

 

Psychology Resume Format

 



2. Write a Powerful Psychology Resume Objective or Summary

 

A strong introduction is like the bottom part of Maslow’s hierarchy theory. It’s the first part of your resume that works as a base for grabbing the reader’s attention. The recruiter NEEDS a good resume summary or objective—otherwise they’ll be biased while reading the rest. Or won’t even bother to do it.

 

If you’re not sure what kind of intro your psychology resume needs, here’s a small cheat-sheet:

 

  • Got work experience? Use a resume summary. 
  • No experience? Go for a resume objective.

 

To make your resume summary or objective stand out, make sure you try these tricks:

 

  1. Start with a potent adjective, like: highly-motivated, ambitious, driven, inspired, etc.
  2. Put your job title next. 
  3. Let the recruiter know how much experience you have: 3+ years of experience, 7+ years of experience, and so on. 
  4. Mention your specialization: guiding and supporting students in a special education program to build confidence and modify behaviors. 
  5. Finish strong with 2-3 of your key accomplishments.

 

Your resume summary should look like something like this:

 

Psychology Resume Sample—Resume Summary

Good Example
Inspired and resourceful psychology professional with 3+ years of experience guiding and supporting students in a special education program to build confidence and modify behaviors. As part of a school district program, worked with almost 60 students from 3 different schools and demonstrated outstanding case management as evidence in the student's academic and behavioral improvement.
Bad Example
I am a professional psychologist with 3 years of experience in consulting with and providing mental health services to students. I am empathetic and have excellent communication skills. Looking to join your organization as I now live in Salt Lake City. 

Oh, no. The recruiter will develop a phobia after reading the bad example.

 

While the first example shows competence and highlights some important achievements, the second one, first of all, seems like it’s been written by a child, and second of all—

 

A recruiter isn’t interested whether you’re empathetic or not. A psychologist obviously should have highly developed interpersonal skills, but that’s not what makes him or her GOODIt’s the experience and achievements that count.

 

Straight out of graduate school and have nothing to show off? Don’t worry. You can still land your dream job by writing a resume with no experience.

 

But this time, instead of writing a summary of your experience, start your resume with an objective. Examine this case study:

 

Entry-Level Psychology Resume Example—Resume Objective

Good Example
Passionate and motivated Psychology graduate with experience in performing group therapies with 6-10 patients in areas including: Domestic Violence for Victims, Eating Disorders, Grief. Conducted 2 research studies on bulimia and other eating disorders. Seeking to obtain an internship at the American Psychological Association to help me continue to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in my career.
Bad Example
Recent psychology graduate with no experience as of yet looking for an internship opportunity. Skilled in behavioral psychology and conducting research studies. Ready to get started in the work world.

See the difference?

 

If you were the hiring manager, who would you choose for the job? Someone who cared to write a nice psychology resume objective that proves they have skills and attitude to take on a full-time internship? Or someone who didn’t even take the time to highlight their competencies?

 

Even entry-level candidates have some kind of experience from school or other projects that should be included in their psychology resume. 

 

An eye-catching introduction is what makes recruiters greenlight a candidate. But remember—you have to make it relevant and attractive. No psychobabble. Highlight the skills and experiences you’ve acquired and be on your way to a whole new sense of self.

Expert tip: If you have some significant experience, skills and qualifications, you may want to use a summary of qualifications on a resume. This gives you the opportunity to highlight both your skills and work experience, which is a win-win situation.

3. Highlight Your Psychology Resume Skills and Work Experience 

 

Writing the job description section isn’t as easy as Albert Ellis’ ABC model. This part of your psychology resume should prove that you have everything that it takes to succeed in the field.

 

Here’s how to write the best psychology resume job description section:

 

  1. Use the reverse chronological order to list your previous jobs and employment background.
  2. Remember to include what position you worked in, the dates of your employment, the organization’s / company’s name and location.
  3. List 4-5 bullet points that describe what your role was. Start each point with a resume action verb to convey emotion and purpose.
  4. Don’t forget to include some key achievements that are both measurable and convincing. 

 

Take a look at these two psychologist resume examples:

 

Psychology Resume Example—Job Description

Good Example

School Psychologist

Jane Addams Middle School, Philadelphia, PA

August 2017-May 2019

  • Completed a 600-hour practicum experience providing a limited range of services to children in grades preK-8.
  • Served on Student Support Team (SST) Committees & Response to Intervention (RTI) Committees to help improve individual student achievement.
  • Conducted social skill and academic skill counseling groups with a total of 225 students.
  • Developed treatment plans for 12 students with anxiety disorders.
Bad Example

School Psychologist

Jane Addams Middle School

  • Served student support committees.
  • Lead counseling sessions for students.
  • Developed treatment plans. 

The first example? Looks like the candidate implemented a triangulation protocol. Or... used a simple STAR formula (Situation-Task-Action-Result) to phrase the bullet points.

 

The problem with the second one is that he/she doesn’t show numbers which is something that shows real impact. Simply listing your duties isn’t really what will make the recruiter have the “Aha! moment”.

 

Even though it’s not always easy to quantify your achievements when it comes to psychology —try your best to squeeze in some numbers here and there. Think about how many patients you’ve been seeing on a weekly basis, or how many research projects you were a part of. This will show the hiring manager that not only you can do your job well, but you also have the ability to show how effective you really are.

 

When it comes to skills to put on a resume, it’s pretty tricky to stand out from other candidates. The most important thing to remember is to list the right skills for a psychology resume, and the qualifications that are relevant to the position. 

 

Double-check the job posting to see if the desired psychology skills are there. This is your “Big Five”. 

 

Here are some psychology skills for resumes to inspire you:

 

Psychology Resume Skills

 

Hard skills:

  • ABA Therapy
  • Behavioral psychology
  • Child psychology
  • Clinical psychology
  • Clinical research
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Computer skills
  • Confidentiality procedures
  • Counseling
  • Crisis intervention
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy techniques
  • Patient assessment
  • Psychotherapy
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Treatment plans

 

Soft skills:

Expert Hint: Use the job posting to target your resume and add those skills which are relevant for the position. Resume keywords will help you up your chances of passing the ATS scan.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWcreate your resume now

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

 

4. Ace Your Education Section

 

When it comes to the resume education section—don’t hide your ego. 

 

Show off awards on your resume, honors, scholarships, relevant coursework—anything and everything that will show that you are a strong candidate.

 

Prove that you are in your psychology “flow state” by putting it in your document in the right format and wowing them with your qualifications.

 

Education on a Psychology Resume—Sample

Good Example

Education

 

MA in Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago

2011

GPA: 3.8

  • Concentration in Behavioral Psychology
  • Conducted 2 successful research studies on aging and emotion.

Expert Hint: Various studies show that you have seconds to impress a recruiter with your resume. If they want to know more about you, they’ll probably want to check out your LinkedIn profile, so make sure it's up to date

5. Perk Up Your Psychology Resume With an “Additional Information” Section

 

You’re almost done.

 

Show off your potential with an “Extras” section that will even convince Albert Bandura to hire you.

 

Certifications, extra research studies, projects, volunteer work—all of these will nicely spice up your resume!

 

Here are just a few examples of the most prestigious resume certifications that you can get as a graduate: 

 

Depending on your field of study, you may want to take time to do some research on what kind of certifications are the most profitable ones for your mental health care area.

 

In the meantime, check out this psychologist resume example:

 

Sample Psychology Resume—Extra Sections

Good Example

Certification:

 

  • CertHE Criminal Psychology

 

Volunteer Work:

 

  • Give an Hour Program
  • TOPSS Speakers Bureau 

 

Conferences:

 

  • APS Convention 2018, San Francisco (Speaker), topic: The Timing Of Behavioral Change In Violent Serial Crimes.

Expert Hint: According to research, 56% of recruiters think a well-written cover letter can improve the odds of an applicant, so make sure to write a cover letteras well. 

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOWcreate your cover letter now

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

 

Key Points

 

For a psychology resume that gets interviews:

  • Use the psychology resume template provided. It has all the sections that are ready for you to fill in with your information.
  • Highlight your psychology achievements in the summary / objective, and experience and education sections to prove you have all the right qualifications.
  • Tailor your psychology skills to match the recruiter’s job description. 
  • Include a psychology cover letter to show that you’re the best fit for the role.

 

Did we help you get your psychology resume right? Got any more questions on how to write a resume or cover letter for a mental health professional? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to help.

Rate my article: psychology
Thank you for voting
Average: 5 (3 votes)
Aleksandra Makal
Aleksandra Makal
Aleksandra is a career expert with a solid professional background in various industries. At ResumeLab, she shares her knowledge, insights and expertise with all applicants looking to make a career move with a perfect resume and cover letter that guarantee recognition and success.

Was it interesting? Here are similar articles

What is a Resume: Definition, Examples & How-to

What is a Resume: Definition, Examples & How-to

Job hunting can be confusing. You know you need a resume, but what is it exactly, and how to even write one? Deep breaths. Read on to learn everything you need to know.

Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW
Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW
Career Expert
Grad School Resume Examples, Templates & How-to

Grad School Resume Examples, Templates & How-to

Admission counselors are on the lookout for well-rounded candidates. Show them you’re diverse with accomplishments and extracurriculars in a jaw-dropping grad school resume.

Roger Maftean, Ph.D
Roger Maftean, Ph.D
Career Expert at ResumeLab