Written by: Frank Hackett (CPRW)
Updated:February 6, 2023
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for psychologists was $82,180 in 2020. Job openings within this field are projected to grow by 8% over the next decade, faster than the national average. Competition within this space is high, and you’ll need to craft a strong resume that showcases the most compelling aspects of your professional experience to generate interviews on the open market. Below, you’ll find examples for entry-level job seekers and those with years of experience to aid you during your job hunt.
Psychology Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-levelEntry-level
- Mid-careerMid-career
- Senior-levelSenior-level
Adam Rosa
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Your Street, Charleston, SC 12345
Profile
A Family Psychologist with entry-level experience specializing in behavioral analysis, clinical psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and patient management. Adept at delivering compassionate and empathetic mental health services to patients across diverse cultural backgrounds.
Professional Experience
Psychologist, Family Therapy Clinic, Charleston, SC
May 2021 – Present
- Deliver clinical mental health services to children, adults, and families, perform behavioral analysis to diagnose mental health disorders, and develop treatment plans to improve coping mechanisms and quality of life
- Perform mental health assessments, evaluate results of patient interviews, and utilize evidence-based therapy for patients
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to develop appropriate treatment plans, analyze patient data, and ensure safe environments for children
- Maintain confidential medical records, reports, and patient information
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Charleston, Charleston, SC May 2019 – May 2021
Bachelor of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Charleston, Charleston, SC September 2015 – May 2019
Key Skills
- Clinical Psychology
- Evidence-Based Therapy
- Behavioral Cognitive Therapy
- Counseling
- Family Therapy
Certifications
- Board Certified Professional Counselor, (LCP), State of South Carolina, 2021
Latisha Thompson
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Your Street, Pittsburgh, PA 12345
Profile
A Licensed Psychologist with five years of experience specializing in patient advocacy, behavioral interventions, evidence-based therapy, and case management. A strong history of developing clinical models to improve patient care and drive positive clinical outcomes. Adept at coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to guide treatment plans and administer assessments.
Professional Experience
Psychologist, Lifestance Health, Pittsburgh, PA
March 2018 – Present
- Perform 15+ interviews and patient assessments weekly, diagnose mental disorders, and identify appropriate treatment plans using behavioral cognitive and evidence-based therapy approaches
- Tailor treatment methods according to multi-cultural needs and interface with patients diagnosed with disabilities and genetic disorders
- Develop evidence-based clinical models in compliance with ethical standards to enhance the quality of patient care across the organization
Psychologist, Centerline Medical, Pittsburgh, PA
August 2016 – March 2018
- Delivered mental health services and treatments to patients, led one-on-one and group therapy sessions, provided couples counseling, and conducted patient intake
- Evaluated patient progress, developed long-term treatment goals, and conducted patient assessments to diagnose mental illness and create treatment plans
Education
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Clinical Psychology
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA May 2011 – May 2016
Master of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA May 2009 – May 2011
Key Skills
- Clinical Psychology
- Patient Assessment
- Behavioral Analysis
- Case Management
- Group Therapy
Certifications
- Board Certified Professional Counselor, (LCP), State of Pennsylvania, 2016
Angelina Diaz
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Your Street, Syracuse, NY 12345
Profile
A Child Psychologist with 10+ years of professional experience, specializing in ABA therapy, case management, crisis intervention, and behavioral analysis. A proven track record of providing quality mental health services to children who have autism, ADHD, and hearing impairments.
Professional Experience
Child Psychologist, Syracuse Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
July 2016 – Present
- Deliver mental health services to children and young adults with disabilities and behavioral disorders within a multidisciplinary setting
- Perform psychological tests for children and young adults, create cognitive assessment reports, analyze findings, and identify appropriate treatment plans
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate client’s access to services for clients with severe maladaptive behaviors and aggression
Child Psychologist, Syracuse Psychiatric Services, Syracuse, NY
June 2011 – July 2016
- Provided ABA therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to children with autism and developed treatment plans to improve social, behavioral, and coping skills
- Conducted crisis interventions and provided emergency support to parents and children during crisis situations at-home and school hours
Education
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Clinical Psychology
University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY May 2006 – May 2011
Master of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY May 2004 – May 2006
Key Skills
- Child Psychology
- Autism
- ADHD
- Crisis Intervention
- ABA Therapy
Certifications
- Board Certified Professional Counselor, (LCP), State of New York, 2011
Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Psychology Resumes
To ensure compliance with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), you must integrate specific key skills and action verbs from the job description into your resume. During the initial ATS scan, your document will be tracked for specific keywords that match the organization’s needs. If you don’t have enough of these qualifications in your resume, you won’t advance to the next phase of the hiring process. An effective strategy for making a strong first impression on the hiring manager is to incorporate key terms that the company values. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords that you may encounter during your job search.
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
ABA Therapy | ADHD |
Autism | Behavioral Analysis |
Behavioral Intervention | Case Management |
Child Psychology | Clinical Models |
Clinical Psychology | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
Couples Counseling | Counseling |
Crisis Intervention | Emotionally-Focused Therapy |
Evidence-Based Therapy | Family Therapy |
Group Therapy | Marriage Counseling |
Multidisciplinary | Patient Advocacy |
Patient Assessment | Patient Care |
Psychotherapy | Treatment Plans |
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Analyzed | Collaborated |
Conducted | Coordinated |
Created | Delivered |
Developed | Diagnosed |
Enhanced | Evaluated |
Examined | Identified |
Implemented | Led |
Managed | Performed |
Provided | Resolved |
Supported |
Tips for Writing a Better Psychology Resume
Feature your leadership abilities
As a licensed psychologist, you’ll be interfacing with multidisciplinary teams, families, and patients on a daily basis. Employers value candidates who thrive while collaborating with diverse groups. Highlighting your ability to build relationships with team members and patients across cultural backgrounds will send a clear message to hiring managers that you’re the ideal fit for the organization’s work culture. Below, you’ll find examples to help you feature your leadership abilities on your resume.
Example #1
Good
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, teachers, and school administration to develop treatment plans for students with a wide range of behavioral disorders, which included conducting crisis interventions during high-stress situations
Bad
- Worked well with team members and communicated effectively with students to help provide appropriate care to improve behavior
Example #2
Good
- Built relationships with patients, parents, and families across diverse backgrounds, identified ideal therapy approach based on cultural and emotional needs, and provided instruction for maintaining compliance with treatment plans
Bad
- Delivered counseling to various patients and provided support to families to help achieve patient goals and aid treatment
Create an eye-catching professional profile
Including a strong summary at the top of your resume is essential for making a strong first impression on potential employers. Due to the high volume of applicants, hiring managers often have limited time to read through every document in-depth. Creating a professional profile that highlights the defining aspects of your career will help to differentiate yourself from the competition. Be sure to include three to four specializations in your opening sentence that align with the organization’s needs. Below, you’ll find examples to help you craft a compelling professional profile.
Example #1
Good
A Clinical Psychologist with four years of experience, specializing in couples counseling, ABA therapy, marriage counseling, and group therapy. A proven track record of delivering evidence-based treatment to aid couples in building healthy relationships.
Bad
A psychologist with years of experience looking for a high-paying job opportunity. Enthusiastic for the chance to join your practice and help patients.
Example #2
Good
A Licensed Psychologist with over six years of experience, specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy, case management, clinical models, and relationship building. A strong history of collaborating with multidisciplinary care teams in hospital and school environments.
Bad
A hardworking psychologist who has a passion for mental health services. Looking for a chance to continue to grow within the psychology field with your organization.
How to Align Your Resume With the Job Description
To attract interest from potential employers, you’ll need to tailor your document to individual job descriptions. This will ensure alignment with ATS requirements and grab the hiring manager’s attention. Highlighting specific keywords and qualifications that match the organization’s needs is essential to the resume-building process and will go a long way in helping you generate interviews during your job search.
When determining what key skills to feature in your resume, pay close attention to how the information is presented in the job description. You’ll want to prioritize keywords that appear closer to the top of the posting, as these are typically skills that the organization heavily values. If you notice that a term is repeated more than once, consider including the term within the first sentence of your professional profile. Below, you’ll find an example to help you align your resume with the job description.
Psychologist Job Description Example
XYZ Health is a leading mental health services group named one of the best places to work in Portland. We’re seeking a licensed psychologist with expertise in ABA therapy and evidence-based therapy to join our team. Our organization values candidates who excel in working within multidisciplinary environments.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct patient assessments, perform behavioral analysis, create treatment plans, and interface with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate patient data and clinical models
- Provide couples counseling to clients using emotionally-focused therapy techniques
Qualifications:
- Doctorate in psychology (Psy.D.) required
- 4-5 years of experience in clinical psychology
- Proficient in cognitive behavioral therapy
- Strong communication and case management skills
According to the job description, the ideal job applicant should have the following qualities and/or experience:
- Psychologist
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Communication
- Case Management
- Evidence-Based Therapy
- Patient Assessments
- Behavioral Analysis
- Treatment Plans
- Multidisciplinary
- ABA Therapy
- Couples Counseling
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Clinical Models
Next, take what you highlighted from the job description and include your experience and skills that match. Below is an example of how to incorporate them in your resume to your advantage:
Psychologist Work Experience Example
Profile
A Psychologist with four years of professional experience, specializing in couples counseling, emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), and clinical models. A strong history of analyzing client relationships and identifying appropriate treatment plans to strengthen communication skills and resolve trauma for couples.
Psychologist
Portland Medical, Portland, OR October 2017 – Present
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to analyze patient data and perform behavioral analysis on patients suffering from a wide range of disorders, including PTSD
- Develop treatment plans for patients and deliver couples counseling, including conducting patient assessments and creating clinical models
Key Skills
- Clinical Psychology
- ABA Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Evidence-Based Therapy
- Case Management
FAQs
Which template do most employers prefer for resumes? ›
Reverse-Chronological Resumes
The most widely used resume format among job seekers today, reverse-chronological resumes are also probably the easiest for recruiters and hiring managers to understand at a glance—which is itself an advantage.
- Create a list of your professional achievements. ...
- View Entry Level Psychology resume samples to get started. ...
- Create an eye-catching header for the top of your Entry Level Psychology resume. ...
- Make a direct summary statement that focuses on the company's wants. ...
- List skills.
- Zety.
- LiveCareer.
- Resume Genius.
- MyPerfectResume.
- ResumeLab.
- ResumeNow.
- EnhanCV.
- ResumeHelp.
The types of psychological skills discussed are self-perceptions, motivation, positive attitude, coping with stress, and moral development.
What are the 5 professional focus areas in psychology? ›- 1) Developmental Psychology. ...
- 2) Health Psychology. ...
- 3) Neuropsychology. ...
- 4) Experimental Psychology. ...
- 5) Industrial Psychology.
For the majority of job-seekers, the best resume format in 2023 is the reverse-chronological resume format. This resume format involves listing your resume information (e.g. your work experience and your education) starting with the most recent one and going backward through relevant jobs, degrees, or qualifications.
How do I write a resume 2023? ›- Choose the Right Resume Format.
- Add Your Contact Information and Personal Details.
- Start With a Heading Statement (Resume Summary or Resume Objective)
- List Your Relevant Work Experience & Key Achievements.
- Reference Your Education Correctly.
- Put Relevant Skills That Fit the Job Ad.
There's no need to include personal information on a resume such as your social security number, marital status, nationality, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs.
How do you sell yourself on a resume with no experience? ›You can create a killer no-experience resume by emphasizing your education instead. Include relevant internships, soft & hard skills, and projects. Other sections you can include on your resume are hobbies & interests, languages, certifications, or achievements.
How do you write no experience but willing to learn? ›- Research the company. ...
- Review the job posting. ...
- Include the relevant addresses. ...
- Start with a salutation. ...
- Write your introductory paragraph. ...
- Discuss your qualifications. ...
- Outline why you're interested in the company.
How far back should a resume go? ›
Your resume should go back 10–15 years assuming it's all relevant experience. However, it all depends on your work history: how much experience you have, whether you have gaps in employment or scored freelance gigs. As long as your resume is targeted to the job ad, it can be even 2-3 pages.
Is it okay to use online resume builder? ›Using resume templates and builders is a good idea, as they not only help you craft a visually pleasing design, but they give you content tips and suggestions, too. They're also very straightforward to use, and oftentimes, customizable.
Is it worth paying someone to write your resume? ›Hiring a professional writer is a good idea if you're looking for more money, responsibilities and a higher title. Since there's a lot of competition out there, you'll want your resume to stand out and use all the help you can get.
What are the 4 P's in psychology? ›The four “Ps” of case formulation (predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and protective factors) also provide a useful framework for organizing the factors that may contribute to the development of anticipatory distress (Barker, 1988; Carr, 1999; Winters, Hanson, & Stoyanova, 2007).
What are 4 qualities a psychologist should have? ›- Active Listeners. Communication is one of the most important skills a psychologist can possess. ...
- Empathetic Professionals. ...
- Ethical Individuals. ...
- Patient Counselors. ...
- Lifelong Learners.
- The principle of authority.
- The principle of social proof.
- The principle of reciprocity.
- The principle of likability.
- The principle of scarcity.
- The principle of consistency.
- The principle of reinforcement.
Markers of six personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Openness to Experience, and Honesty-Humility) were assessed using the Mini-International-Personality-Item-Pool-6 (Mini-IPIP6; Donnellan et al., 2006; Sibley et al., 2011).
What are the three 3 major fields of psychology? ›The major branches of psychology include: Abnormal psychology. Behavioral psychology. Biopsychology.
What are the 3 goals of psychology? ›To sum up, psychology is centered on four major goals: to describe, explain, predict, and change or control behaviors. These goals are the foundation of most theories and studies in an attempt to understand the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes that people face in their daily lives.
How long should a resume be for a 40 year old? ›Limit Your Resume Length To Two Pages Or Less
By the time you reach your 40s and 50s, you probably have a lot of experience. No matter how valuable that experience is, you must edit it so that your resume is two pages or less.
Which job is best in 2023? ›
- 14 - Accountant.
- 15 - Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators. ...
- 16 - General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers. ...
- 17 - Human Resource Managers. ...
- 18 - Civil Engineering Professionals. ...
- 19 - Human Resource Professionals. ...
- 20 - Other Information and Organisation Professionals. ...
The chronological resume (also known as the reverse-chronological format) is the most popular format and the best resume format for experienced candidates. The chronological resume emphasizes your work history section, where you list information about current and past jobs with the most recent job first.
What are the 3 F's of resume writing? ›The 3 F's of resume writing are Function, Form(at) and (e)Ffectiveness. When these 3 elements are adhered to simultaneously in the resume, they make it the perfect fit for the role you're applying to.
What are the 5 resume format tips? ›- Use real estate wisely. Cut the clutter in both appearance and content. ...
- Focus on relevant experience. ...
- Ditch the objective statement. ...
- Highlight accomplishments instead of job duties. ...
- Don't ignore the basics.
- Include key words. ...
- Add hyperlinks. ...
- Be creative. ...
- Tell a story. ...
- Keep your resume short. ...
- Only list the past 10 years of experience. ...
- Include your accomplishments. ...
- List between three and five bullet points for each job position.
- Poor grammar and spelling. ...
- Making your resume too long or too short. ...
- Including too much personal information. ...
- Writing an objective or summary that does not match the job.
- Having spelling errors and bad grammar. ...
- Exaggerating the truth. ...
- Poor formatting. ...
- An unoriginal personal profile. ...
- Not focusing on your achievements. ...
- Making your CV too long. ...
- Putting the wrong contact information.
- Typos and Grammatical Errors. ...
- Lack of Specifics. ...
- Attempting the "One–Size–Fits–All" Approach. ...
- Highlighting Duties Instead of Accomplishments. ...
- Going on Too Long or Cutting Things Too Short. ...
- Bad Summary. ...
- No Action Verbs. ...
- Leaving Off Important Information.
Using your own words, try something along the lines of: "I am interested in an entry-level position. I know I have much to learn, and I'm looking for an opportunity that will let me build a solid professional foundation. You say, 'Jump,' I'll ask, 'How high?
How do you sell yourself in 25 words or less with no experience? ›- Highlight your stand-out features. ...
- Ensure correct spelling and grammar. ...
- Keep it directional with the most relevant points.
What is a good summary for a resume? ›
An effective resume summary follows this formula: Professional Title (if relevant) + Key Experiences (with the total number of years worked) + Top Achievements (preferably measurable results) + Top Skills/Expertise/Unique Values (relevant to the job and industry).
How do I make my resume impressive? ›- Keep your resume clear and concise. ...
- Proofread your resume numerous times. ...
- Limit your resume to two pages. ...
- Tailor your resume to suit the position you are applying for. ...
- Highlight what you have accomplished. ...
- Be honest. ...
- Quantify your achievements. ...
- Use simple words and action verbs.
List Volunteer Experience, Associations, and Independent Projects. Using volunteer experience, associations, and independent projects can help fill in some gaps in your timeline on the resume. However, these might not always seem relevant to the position you're pursuing.
Why should we hire you? ›Your skills and qualifications. If you can prove that you've got all the skills that the company is looking for in a candidate, you'll have effectively answered the question. Your passion and motivation. You can highlight how good of a company fit you'd be and how much you love working in your field or industry.
How do you explain that you have no experience? ›If you're asked a question about prior experience regarding something you've never done, the best way to answer isn't to say, “No, I've never done that.” Or, “No, I don't have experience in that area.” The best way to handle the question is to say something along these lines: While I have not had any direct experience ...
What can I put for skills if I have no experience? ›- Leadership skills.
- Organizational abilities.
- Management skills.
- Knowledge in Microsoft Office.
- Listening abilities.
- Time management skills.
- Communication. Communication is important in any field but in psychology, it is paramount and is the hallmark of what a psychologist does. ...
- Patience. ...
- Ethics. ...
- Problem-Solving. ...
- Research. ...
- Commitment to Learning. ...
- Organization. ...
- Emotional Stability.
As a field, positive psychology spends much of its time thinking about topics like character strengths, optimism, life satisfaction, happiness, wellbeing, gratitude, compassion (as well as self-compassion), self-esteem and self-confidence, hope, and elevation.
What are skills in psychology? ›- Clinical reasoning. ...
- Psychology and cognitive science fundamentals. ...
- Quantitative and qualitative research. ...
- Experiment design. ...
- Experiential learning. ...
- Communication. ...
- Critical thinking. ...
- Listening.
Give details of any specific interests or ambitions you have that relate to the content of the course. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for psychological research as a focus for academic study. Provide evidence of when you have pursued your interest in psychology outside the classroom (see above!)
What 4 things do psychologists do? ›
The four goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes.
What soft skills are needed for psychology? ›- Skill 1. Communication. ...
- Skill 2. Patience & Active Listening. ...
- Skill 3. Critical Thinking. ...
- Skill 4. Creative Problem-Solving. ...
- Skill 5. Cultural Competence & Self-Awareness. ...
- Other Important Skills.
- Conduct scientific studies of behavior and brain function.
- Observe, interview, and survey individuals.
- Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders.
- Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns.
The framework offers cognitive strengths (under the virtue of wisdom), emotional strengths (courage), social & community strengths (humanity & justice), protective strengths (temperance), and spiritual strengths (transcendence).
What are the 3 pillars of positive psychology? ›The Three Pillars: Positive Psychology has three central concerns: positive experiences, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. Understanding positive emotions entails the study of contentment with the past, happiness in the present, and hope for the future.
What are the three positive psychology tools? ›For this post, we will focus on three high-impact tools from positive psychology to quickly raise your happiness: optimism, gratitude, and flow.
What are top 5 skills? ›- Critical thinking and problem solving.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Professionalism and strong work ethic.
- Oral and written communications skills.
- Leadership.
Critical thinking and analytical skills. Abstract reasoning. Communication and interpersonal skills.
What are five popular skills? ›- Basic programming. Programming basics is a frequent in-demand skill even among non-tech jobs. ...
- Low-code platforms. Gartner predicts that by 2024, 65% of all software development activity will be low code. ...
- UI/UX design. ...
- Data engineering. ...
- Data visualization.
For as long as I can remember… I am applying for this course because… I have always been interested in… Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…
What should be avoided in a personal statement for psychology? ›
Psychological research suggests that admissions tutors perceive poorly written statements, misuse of humour and being negative about previous education unfavourably when assessing personal statements. So avoid those things.
What do employers look for in a psychologist? ›Problem-solving skills
Employers need staff that can solve the range of small and large problems that arise daily in the workplace. Psychology students learn how to identify questions, frame them, devise and carry out procedures to test them and analyze the data to draw conclusions.