How to write a job-winning social scientist resume

Every day, each of us has countless interactions with other people, from our loved ones to strangers encountered out in public. Social scientists are responsible for observing and analyzing these interactions to help gain greater insight and understanding into the science behind social groups and behavior. To earn a position as a social scientist, you must show both analytical and interpersonal prowess on your resume.

In this guide, we will discuss 5 key tips for writing an effective resume as a social scientist. Keep reading to learn how to:

• Choose the proper resume format for the position
• Showcase notable accomplishments in your resume summary
• Include technical and interpersonal social scientist skills
• Describe quantifiable details of your work experience
• List your social scientist education accurately and completely

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1. Choose the proper format for your scientist resume

Earning a position as a social scientist is no easy feat – and you need a resume format that reflects the hard work you put in to get here.

The two best formats when writing a social scientist resume are the reverse-chronological resume and the Curriculum Vitae.

The reverse-chronological resume is a one-page format that focuses mainly on your work history and experience. Listing your most recent position first, this format uses descriptive and concise bullet points to explain your responsibilities and accomplishments. This type of resume can be used by all levels of professionals, but often works best for those applying to entry to mid-level positions.

The Curriculum Vitae – or CV – is a longer-form resume format that provides in-depth detail for every section of the document. This long-form resume is the ideal choice when applying to high-level roles in formal science and academia.

Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

2. Showcase notable accomplishments in your social scientist resume summary

Why is this incorrect?

Whenever you write a resume summary, you want to be as specific as you possibly can in your statement. This applicant should provide far greater detail on their “expansive academic background and teaching history,” as well as provide greater context around the type of research they have specialized in.

Why is this correct?

In this example, the applicant gives details that are much more impressive to employers to their specificity. Rather than stating they have an extensive academic history, the applicant simply states that they are a Ph.D. candidate at Yale University. They replace the vague statement about being skilled at research with an example of a major study they conducted. Overall, this summary offers much better context and eye-catching details.

3. Include the best technical and interpersonal social scientist skills

Whenever you write a resume, it is important to show employers that you possess a solid set of both technical and interpersonal skills.

Technical skills refer to your learned abilities gained through education and training, such as the ability to conduct an experiment or analyze data. Interpersonal skills, on the other hand, refer to your ability to interact with other people and the world around you – think communication and collaboration.

Both of these types of skills are crucial for Social Scientists to have. Thus, you should strive to include a variety of both on your resume.

Here are 10 ideas for both technical and interpersonal skills to include on a social scientist resume:

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4. Describe quantifiable details in your social scientist work experience section

The work experience section of your resume is where you will go into in-depth – but still concise – detail about your previous work responsibilities and accomplishments.

When writing your work experience entries, keep in mind how visually organized the information is. Avoid writing large, chunky paragraphs – instead, use bullet points and short sentences to create your descriptions.

5. List your social scientist education accurately and completely

To become a professional social scientist, you will generally need a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in a related field including psychology, sociology, or other scientifically-backed social studies.

If you have opted to use a Curriculum Vitae format, you will need to take extra care to ensure the section is adequately detailed and in-depth. For one-page resumes, however, it is best to keep the education section concise.

The vital information needed within any education section on a resume includes:

• The name(s) of your degree(s)
• The university or universities you attended
• Your date(s) of graduation

Always make sure to list your highest degree first and work chronologically backward from there!