Academic Advisor Resume Example
A career as an academic advisor typically involves guiding student course-selection and reviewing academic progress. To succeed in your applications for academic advisor roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your academic advisor applications.
This complete guide to an academic advisor resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning academic advisor resume.
Core sections to include in an academic advisor resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with an academic advisor resume being no different.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant academic advisor experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
When applying for mid-level academic advisor positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
If you're applying for senior academic advisor positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Header and Personal Information
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Savannah Patel
savannah.patel@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, NY
linkedin․com/in/savannah–patel123
Resume Profile
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for academic advisor roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for academic advisor roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for academic advisor roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a academic advisor resume summary in the graphic below.
Experienced academic advisor with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration. Formerly served as a Student Success Coordinator, demonstrating a strong track record in enhancing student retention, providing academic guidance, and implementing support programs. Skilled in advising diverse student populations, analyzing academic progress, and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Proficient in utilizing data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes and committed to promoting student success and well-being
Academic advisor with some background in education and working with students. Previously involved in roles related to student support and guidance. Engaged in various activities to assist students in their academic journey. Worked with different student groups and aimed to improve their overall experience. Used some strategies to help students do better and cared about their success and well-being
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your academic advisor resume summary.
Employment History
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as an academic advisor. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to academic advisor jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Student Success Coordinator, January 2022 - Present
Scholarly Success Consulting, El Paso
- Implemented a mentorship program increasing student retention rates by 15% within the first academic year
- Coordinated 50+ student workshops, resulting in a 20% improvement in overall academic performance
- Developed an online resource hub accessed by 80% of the student body, enhancing support and engagement
Student Success Coordinator, January 2022 - Present
Scholarly Success Consulting, El Paso
- Assisted students with academic planning and support
- Facilitated various student engagement activities
- Contributed to the enhancement of student services
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Educational Achievements
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for academic advisor roles.
If you're applying for academic advisor positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Arts in Education will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your CRM software proficiency or academic program knowledge.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration, 2017 - 2020
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Projects and Publications
For academic advisor resume, it's important to include sections outlining key projects and publications. For academic disciplines, these are valuable as they show your standing and reputation within your chosen field of expertise. You may wish to include any key academic projects you've directed or taken part in, along with publications such as books, chapters, academic journal articles or articles for mainstream publications such as magazines and newspapers.
The two most widely-used citation styles are the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Both of these include variations on author name, year of publication, article title (if necessary), publication name, volume, issue, page numbers and publisher. While the MLA style is more suitable for humanities subjects, APA is the citation style of choice for scientific and engineering subjects. Here's an (APA-style) example publication that you might see included in an academic advisor resume:
Savannah Patel. The Role of Academic Advisor in Modern Practices. Master of Education in Higher Education Administration Studies. 3 (1234) 45. 2009
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for academic advisor roles. Whether your skills include academic program knowledge, problem-solving abilities or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for academic advisor jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as an academic advisor.
Listing hard skills on your academic advisor resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in academic advisor roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for an academic advisor resume are listed below.
- Student data management
- Academic program knowledge
- CRM software proficiency
Showcasing your best soft skills
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for an academic advisor resume.
- Active listening skills
- Empathy and understanding
- Problem-solving abilities
Jobseeker Tip:
Highlight your academic and scientific expertise by including specific research accomplishments, such as published papers, conference presentations, or grant awards. (1) Structure your resume with clear sections, using bullet points to make complex information easy to scan and digest. (2)
Certifications
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to academic advisor jobs. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as an academic advisor. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for an academic advisor resume:
- Academic Advising Certification, 2022
- Career Development Facilitator, 2022
- College Counseling Certificate, 2022
Optional Sections
In addition to the core sections of an academic advisor resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for academic advisor jobs.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Your hobbies and interests are useful for an academic advisor resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Voluntary Work
This section can be valuable for an academic advisor resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
Although it's rare to include references on an academic advisor resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
References can be provided upon request.
Best action words for your academic advisor resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Advised
- Guided
- Mentored
- Counseled
- Assessed
- Developed
- Supported
- Coached
- Facilitated
- Coordinated
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Example of an academic advisor resume
The academic advisor resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, NY
•
savannah.patel@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/savannah–patel123
Experienced academic advisor with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a proven track record as a Student Success Coordinator. Adept at guiding students in academic planning, fostering student development, and creating supportive educational environments to enhance student success and retention. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a commitment to educational excellence and student achievement.
Student Success Coordinator
2020
-2022
BrightFuture Educational Services (Long Beach)
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive student retention program, increasing retention rates by 15% over two academic years
- Coordinated over 50 student workshops annually, enhancing academic skills and career readiness for over 1,000 students
- Mentored and advised a caseload of 200+ students, resulting in a 20% improvement in academic performance and graduation rates
Student data management
Academic program knowledge
CRM software proficiency
Active listening skills
Empathy and understanding
Problem-solving abilities
Academic Advising Certification
Career Development Facilitator
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for academic advisor resumes
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in academic advisor jobs (e.g. 'supported', 'coached', 'facilitated').
- Include your educational achievements, including any impressive grades. Focus on the most relevant qualifications for the role.
- Keep your academic advisor resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Use a clear resume format with professional elements, including suitable headings, line spacing, fonts and margins, to make your resume as readable as possible for hiring managers.
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your academic advisor experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't fill up your academic advisor resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't write any unnecessary personal details on your resume. Details such as age, gender or nationality can lead to unintentional recruitment bias.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms when you can use simple, straightforward language to say the same thing.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When drafting your academic advisor resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Add keywords throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
FAQs for an academic advisor resume
After writing your academic advisor resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the academic advisor role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
There are plenty of ways to still make a positive impression with your academic advisor resume, even if you lack relevant work experience. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your academic advisor applications. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
See an example resume headline below:
- Aspiring Academic Advisor and Mentor
- Dedicated Academic Advisor and Mentor
- Senior Academic Advisor and Mentor
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Key takeaways for your academic advisor resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Resumes & Cover Letters for PhD Students, Hardvard University: https://careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/161/2024/08/2024-GSAS_phd_resume_cover_letters-1.pdf
(2) Guide to Résumés and Curricula Vitae, National Institutes of Health: https://www.training.nih.gov/documents/16/Guide_to_Resumes_and_Curricula_Vitae.pdf
