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Entry-Level History Resume
This resume example effectively demonstrates the qualifications and accomplishments of career changers in history, showcasing their ability to improve educational experiences and drive student success.
Why this resume works:
A strong academic foundation shows the candidate is well-prepared to transition into this role.
Mid-Career History Resume
This history resume example is perfect for professionals eager to leverage their teaching and research experience to advance into specialized roles or leadership positions in education.
Why this resume works:
Highlights impact through increased student engagement, experiential learning, and data-driven efficiency.
Experienced History Resume
This history resume example showcases the qualifications and achievements that experienced educators need to advance into leadership or senior roles within academia.
Why this resume works:
Leadership roles and advanced certifications underscore the ability to manage complex scenarios.
Looking for something else?
Create Your Standout Resume Today
Use our resume examples for inspiration on organization, color, and design—and learn how to effectively summarize your history skills and experience with confidence.
How to Write a History Resume
Learning how to write a resume is important for effectively showcasing your unique value in the field of history, rather than merely listing your qualifications. By emphasizing your analytical skills and experiences, you can create a narrative that stands out to potential employers.
In the upcoming sections, you’ll receive step-by-step guidance along with valuable resume tips specific to history positions. This includes advice on structuring your content, highlighting relevant experiences, and presenting your academic background compellingly.
Start with your contact info
The header section contains all your contact information, prominently displayed at the top of your resume. Begin with your name in a larger, bold font to ensure it stands out from the rest of the text. You might also want to choose a clean and professional font style that improves readability while drawing attention to your name.
Next, include important contact details such as your email address, phone number, and general location: city and state suffice. This information is essential for hiring managers to reach you quickly and facilitates efficient processing through applicant tracking systems (ATS), ensuring you remain in consideration for interviews.
Finally, consider adding links to relevant certifications or online resources like a personal portfolio if they apply to your field. These additional elements can provide further context about your qualifications and experiences, showcasing your expertise in history or related areas effectively and making you more appealing as a job seeker.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary is a key component of your resume that provides a snapshot of your qualifications and career aspirations. It appears right beneath your contact details, ensuring it's the first impression you give potential employers.
This section should highlight your core skills, relevant experiences, and showcase your enthusiasm for the role. Tailoring this summary to fit the specific job description improves its impact and shows recruiters that you’re genuinely interested.
For inspiration on how to structure and articulate your strengths in alignment with the position you're targeting, consider looking at various resume summary examples. They can help you understand effective strategies for crafting this essential element of your resume.
Strong vs weak history summary
Strong
"Dynamic history professional with over seven years of experience in educational settings and research institutions. Proven ability to engage students through innovative teaching methods and curriculum development, resulting in a 25% increase in student retention rates. Skilled in archival research, historical analysis, and public speaking, holding a Master’s degree in History. Recognized for contributions to interdisciplinary projects that improve understanding of historical contexts."
Why this example works: This summary effectively outlines the applicant’s qualifications, highlights measurable achievements such as improved retention rates, emphasizes relevant skills like archival research, and incorporates key terms commonly found in history-related job descriptions.
Weak
"History enthusiast seeking a position where I can apply my knowledge and passion for the past. I have studied various historical events and enjoy discussing them with others."
Why this example doesn't work: This professional summary is vague and lacks specifics about the applicant's actual knowledge, experience, or relevant skills in the field of history.
Craft a personal mission statement that reflects your passion for history and connects it to the values of the organization you are applying to. Highlight how your understanding of historical contexts can enrich their projects and show your commitment beyond just academic qualifications.
Share your work history
Listing your work experience in reverse-chronological order allows potential employers to see your most recent and relevant roles first. This format highlights your career progression and helps recruiters quickly assess your qualifications. It also makes it easier for you to showcase the skills you've developed over time.
For each position, include these key elements:
- Job title and organization name
- Employment dates (month and year)
- Primary duties (What responsibilities did you handle daily?)
- Notable achievements (Did you improve patient care or streamline operations?)
- Quantifiable outcomes (For example, "improved patient satisfaction scores by 20%.")
Finally, remember to use strong action verbs to bring your experiences to life.
Strong vs weak history work history
Strong
Historian, National History Museum
2015–2023
- Conducted research on American history, resulting in the publication of three peer-reviewed articles.
- Curated a major exhibition that attracted over 50,000 visitors and received positive reviews from critics.
- Developed educational programs for schools that increased student engagement by 40%.
Why this example works: A strong work history section for a historian highlights specific research contributions and effective projects. It should include measurable outcomes and demonstrate both analytical skills and leadership in educational initiatives.
Weak
Historian
National Museum
- Researched historical events.
- Wrote reports.
Why this example doesn't work: This entry lacks detail and specificity, omitting information about the types of events researched or the impact of the reports.
If you've spent over a decade in history-related roles, opt for a chronological resume format. This approach effectively highlights your career growth and consistent expertise in the field.
Highlight your key skills
The skills section of your resume is essential for demonstrating your strengths in the field of history. Here's a rundown of different types of skills and why they matter in showcasing your expertise:
- Soft skills are personal attributes that showcase how you collaborate with others, including critical thinking, communication, and adaptability. In history, skills such as analytical reasoning and attention to detail hold importance as they improve research effectiveness and encourage insightful discussions about past events.
- Hard skills are specific competencies developed through education or hands-on experience. In history, essential abilities include research analysis, archival management, historical interpretation, and expertise in historical software tools.
- Technical skills refer to your expertise with specific tools, systems, or technologies relevant to technical skills in history. For historians, these may include archival management software (such as PastPerfect), digital mapping tools (like ArcGIS), and data analysis programs (such as NVivo).
For new historians, it's best to place your skills section near the top of your resume to highlight your competencies despite limited experience. Experienced professionals should position this section after their work history, as this allows prior roles to showcase their expertise.
Top 15 skills for your history resume
When writing a resume, it’s important to choose skills that align with the expectations in your field. Focus on a mix of soft skills like critical thinking and communication, as well as hard skills relevant to historical analysis. Incorporating transferable skills can also showcase your adaptability across different roles.
Here’s a list of the top 15 popular skills for history professionals, based on insights from JobHero users. These skills highlight what employers value most in applicants and can help strengthen your resume's impact in this competitive area of expertise.
Build your education section
The education section of your resume should reflect your experience level and industry standards. For seasoned professionals, the emphasis should be on work history rather than education. If you have extensive experience, consider placing your education section at the bottom or even omitting it if your qualifications are not degree-specific.
In contrast, recent graduates or those entering specialized fields must highlight their educational achievements prominently. Position this section at the top of your resume to showcase relevant degrees, coursework, and certifications that demonstrate your qualifications.
Additionally, if you're transitioning into a new area within nursing, focus on any specialized training or continuing education courses you've completed. This will help set you apart from other applicants and underline your commitment to professional development in the field.
20 action verbs to add to your resume
Using action verbs in resumes significantly improves their strength by effectively communicating your experiences and creating an engaging narrative. These verbs provide clarity and impact, helping recruiters quickly grasp your accomplishments.
When crafting your resume for a healthcare position, prioritize action verbs that align with the critical skills outlined in job postings. This tailored approach demonstrates your suitability for the role and showcases relevant expertise.
- Analyzed
- Researched
- Interpreted
- Chronicled
- Facilitated
- Presented
- Sourced
- Curated
- Reviewed
- Authored
- Summarized
- Documented
- Examined
- Critiqued
- Engaged
- Promoted
- Illustrated
- Archived
- Collaborated
- Coordinated
Consider additional resume sections
While your core resume provides the most critical information, adding tailored sections can showcase your unique qualifications. These additions help employers quickly identify your historical research expertise, publications, and achievements beyond standard resume sections.
Here are optional sections commonly found on history resumes:
- Research focus areas: Specify particular historical periods or themes you specialize in, such as ancient civilizations or modern history.
- Publications and presentations: List any books, articles, or conference presentations you've contributed to that highlight your scholarly work.
- Educational workshops: Include recent workshops or courses attended that demonstrate ongoing learning and engagement with historical scholarship.
- Project achievements: Describe successful research projects or grants obtained that showcase your capability to lead and manage historical inquiries.
- Professional associations: Mention memberships in organizations like the American Historical Association or other relevant societies.
5 Tips for Formatting Your Resume
Proper resume formatting is important for job seekers as it improves readability and keeps recruiters engaged. Using ATS-friendly resume templates can significantly increase your chances of passing automated screening processes, ensuring your application gets the attention it deserves.
1. Watch your line spacing and margins
Proper spacing helps your resume look clean and organized, making it easier for hiring managers to read. Good spacing not only improves aesthetics but also highlights your key achievements effectively.
- Keep margins between 0.5″ to 1.0″ to ensure ample white space without sacrificing content.
- Use single spacing between paragraphs and bullet points for a neat appearance.
- Increase the space to 1.5″ or double-space between sections to clearly differentiate different parts of your resume.
2. Use a professional font
Choosing the right resume font is important because it affects readability and first impressions. Opt for fonts that convey professionalism, such as:
- Helvetica
- Garamond
- Verdana
- Trebuchet MS
- Book Antiqua
- Cambria
To improve your name at the top of your resume, consider using a slightly bolder or larger font to draw attention.
3. Organize your resume sections
A resume for a history professional should be clear and easily digestible. Use bullet points to convey your experiences succinctly, instead of lengthy paragraphs. Begin each bullet with a strong action verb to emphasize your contributions. For example, "Conducted in-depth research on 19th-century political movements, resulting in a published article," showcases both your role and the outcome.
Highlight measurable accomplishments to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. An example could be, "Developed an educational program that increased student engagement by 40%," which illustrates your effectiveness as an educator or researcher while providing tangible results.
To ensure your resume is Ats-friendly, run it through an ATS resume checker. This will help you identify formatting issues and optimize keywords relevant to the history field, increasing the chances of passing through automated filters successfully.
4. Use colors and design
Using color and design elements in your resume can significantly improve its visual impact and effectiveness. A thoughtfully designed resume not only draws attention but also helps present your professional story more clearly.
Begin by searching for pre-made resume templates that resonate with your style. The combination resume format is particularly useful as it allows for a colored sidebar to showcase skills while presenting work history, creating a balanced look.
When selecting a color scheme, opt for colors that reflect professionalism and clarity. Subtle tones like slate gray or deep blue can create an inviting appearance without overwhelming the reader. If you're using darker colors, consider applying them to section headers or borders to maintain cleanliness.
Be sure to avoid bright or neon colors that distract from the content. Additionally, stay clear of any colors associated with competitors, as they may inadvertently convey negativity. Aim for a cohesive and polished presentation that highlights your qualifications effectively.
5. Keep your resume length to 1-2 pages
Resumes should be clear, concise, and compelling. A one-page format is typically ideal since recruiters often spend mere seconds reviewing each resume. By keeping it brief, you ensure that the most important information stands out.
Focus on highlighting your most relevant experience and skills. Include positions that showcase your accomplishments without redundancy. Tailor your content to align with the job description.
However, there are exceptions where a two-page resume may be necessary, such as for applicants with extensive experience in senior roles or specialized fields. In academia, a CV is often more appropriate due to its comprehensive nature and detailed listings of publications and research.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my resume?
Writing a cover letter is an excellent opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications, even when it's not mandatory. It allows you to elaborate on your experiences and explain how they align with the job you're applying for. This extra effort can set you apart from other job seekers and present a fuller picture of your potential.
To get started, explore our collection of cover letter examples for inspiration tailored to various industries. When you're ready to create your own, consider using our Cover Letter Builder, which guides you through each step of the process.
What is the best resume format?
Choosing the right resume format depends on your individual circumstances and career goals. The three main formats are chronological, functional, and combination, each catering to different job seekers' needs.
The chronological format is ideal for those with a strong work history, as it emphasizes past positions and achievements. In contrast, the functional format focuses on skills and education, making it suitable for recent graduates or those changing careers. Lastly, the combination format merges both aspects by showcasing relevant experience alongside skills, benefiting mid-level professionals or individuals transitioning between industries.
How long should my history resume be?
When crafting your history resume, it's best to keep it to one page, especially if you're early in your career. Hiring managers often sift through numerous applications quickly, so a succinct resume highlights your most important qualifications effectively.
Emphasize relevant experience such as internships, coursework, or research that directly relates to the position you're targeting. Remove less relevant experiences or overly detailed descriptions from earlier jobs that don't pertain to history.
A two-page resume may be suitable if you have extensive experience, multiple degrees, or are applying for senior academic roles. In these situations, it's acceptable to expand on your achievements and contributions in greater detail.
How far back should my work history go?
When deciding how far back to include work experience on your resume, a general guideline is to focus on the last 10 years. This helps keep your resume relevant and concise. However, if you have significant earlier roles that showcase essential skills or accomplishments in your field, feel free to include them. Prioritize positions that align with your current career objectives for the best impact.
Do I need to include references on my resume?
Including references on your resume is typically not required. However, if you have exceptional references that strongly support your qualifications, consider adding them. This can be particularly useful for positions where personal endorsements are valued. Always be ready to provide references upon request.
Build a custom resume in minutes with our professional templates and expert tips.
Natalia Merced
CPRW, Career WriterNatalia is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches and has worked in the career industry for more than two years providing comprehensive guidance on resume writing and job search strategies for individuals across diverse career paths. She holds a master's degree in counseling psychology and a bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising and is passionate about helping job seekers present their professional story effectively through well-crafted resumes and cover letters that demonstrate their value, skills, and experience to potential employers. Some of her work has been featured on JobHero's resume examples career center.
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By Gabriela Barcenas | CPRW, Career Writer
By Natalia Merced | CPRW, Career Writer
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