Historian Resume Example & Writing Guide

Introduction:

Historians are professionals that specialize in the study of past events and how they have influenced the present. They use their expertise to research, analyze, and interpret information about the past, presenting it in a way that is understandable for the present audience. Writing an effective historian resume requires outlining your experience, education, and skills in a clear and concise manner.

1. Contact Information:

• Include your full name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of your resume.
• Make sure the information is up-to-date, reliable, and professional-looking.

2. Professional Summary:

• Provide a brief overview of your experience and skills in the field of history.
• Showcase a clear understanding of your areas of expertise, interests, and goals.
• Keep the summary to no more than three to four sentences.

3. Experience:

• List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
• Include the job title, name of the company, and dates of employment.
• Describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in each position, emphasizing skills and experiences that are relevant to the field of history.
• Quantify your achievements using specific data and numbers where possible.

4. Education:

• List your educational degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
• Include the name of the institution, degree earned, major/minor, and dates of attendance or graduation.
• Provide details on any academic awards, honors, or GPA above 3.0.

5. Skills:

• List any relevant research, writing, and analytical skills you possess.
• Include knowledge of historical methodologies, primary and secondary source evaluation, and data analysis techniques.
• Highlight any language skills or computer skills that could be beneficial in the field of history.

6. Certifications and Memberships:

• List any certifications or professional memberships, such as membership in the American Historical Association or certification in archives management, that you possess.
• Include details on any conferences or workshops attended that relate to your work as a historian.

Conclusion:

A historian resume should showcase your education, experience, and skills in a way that highlights your ability to wrangle the complexities of history and illuminate those connections for your audience. An effectively structured historian resume leverages the elements discussed above to put your strengths front and center, enabling you to tell your professional story in a way that is polished, professional, and effective.