Archivist Resume Example
Starting a career as an archivist gives you the chance to gain experience in organizing archival materials and managing digital records. A strong resume for archivist applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating an archivist resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating an archivist resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your archivist resume.
Main sections of an archivist resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with an archivist resume being no different. If you're an entry-level candidate without much work history, then the work experience section may be less prominent in your resume. You may focus instead on sections that showcase your skill set, such as education, projects, hobbies and hard and soft skills lists.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Resume Header
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 your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Evelyn Diaz
evelyn.diaz@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
linkedin․com/in/evelyn–diaz123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for archivist roles.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a archivist resume summary in the graphic below.
Detail-oriented archivist with a Bachelor of Arts in History and extensive experience as a Digital Records Manager. Proven expertise in managing, preserving, and providing access to digital and physical records. Skilled in implementing archival standards, digitization processes, and metadata management. Adept at utilizing archival software and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Strong analytical and organizational abilities, with a commitment to maintaining the integrity and accessibility of historical records
Archivist with a background in history and experience in managing records. Worked with both digital and physical records, focusing on keeping them organized and accessible. Familiar with processes related to archives and digitization. Used software to handle records and followed rules and guidelines. Good at organizing and analyzing information, with a focus on keeping records safe and available
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. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for archivist jobs. These could be EAD/XML encoding, IT proficiency or various other relevant skills. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for archivist positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Showcasing hard skills on your archivist resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for archivist positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your archivist job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the archivist role. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective archivist resume hard skills list looks like.
- Data management software
- Digital asset management
- Metadata creation standards
How to list soft skills on your archivist resume
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for an archivist position and the organization. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, and can often apply to multiple jobs and industries. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
An effective archivist resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Attention to detail
- Strong organizational skills
- Effective communication skills
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant archivist qualifications and educational achievements.
An archivist role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Arts in History degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your metadata creation standards or EAD/XML encoding.
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 enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Arts in History, 2017 - 2020
University of Connecticut, Storrs
Certifications
In this section, include any archivist certifications, training or licenses you hold that are relevant to the job. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for an archivist resume:
- Certified Archivist (CA), 2022
- Digital Archives Specialist (DAS), 2022
- Master of Library Science (MLS), 2022
Employment History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for an archivist position. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Digital Records Manager, January 2022 - Present
ChronicleKeep Solutions, Miami
- Successfully implemented a digital records management system, increasing data retrieval efficiency by 40% and reducing storage costs by 25%
- Led a project to digitize 10,000+ legacy records, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and improving access to historical data
- Trained a team of 15 employees on new digital records protocols, resulting in a 30% reduction in data entry errors
Digital Records Manager, January 2022 - Present
ChronicleKeep Solutions, Miami
- Improved records management processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs
- Led initiatives to digitize and organize archival materials
- Conducted training sessions for staff on updated records procedures
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Ineffective work experience sections tend to focus too much on everyday responsibilities over skills and achievements. If you use vague descriptions of activities and fail to back up your achievements with evidence, you're likely to fail to make an impact on the reader.
Expert Tip:
Include transferable skills gained from any prior jobs, volunteer work, or personal projects, such as "managed schedules for a team of five" or "handled cash transactions accurately and efficiently." (1) Avoid using overly technical jargon and keep your descriptions straightforward for clarity. (2)
Optional Information
In addition to the core sections of an archivist 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 archivist jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as an archivist. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for archivist roles. 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
Standard archivist resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best strong verbs for your an archivist resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Catalog
- Digitize
- Preserve
- Curate
- Organize
- Manage
- Retrieve
- Document
- Assess
- Maintain
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of an archivist resume
The archivist resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
•
evelyn.diaz@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/evelyn–diaz123
Detail-oriented archivist with a Bachelor of Arts in History and extensive experience as a Digital Records Manager. Skilled in digital preservation, records management, and archival research. Proficient in organizing, cataloging, and maintaining digital and physical archives, ensuring accessibility and compliance with regulatory standards. Proven ability to implement efficient digital record-keeping systems and manage large volumes of data. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to preserving historical integrity and enhancing information retrieval processes.
Digital Records Manager
2020
-2022
TechVault Solutions (Chicago)
- Implemented an enterprise-wide digital records management system, reducing retrieval time by 40% and improving data accuracy by 30%
- Spearheaded the digitization of 50,000+ records, achieving a 99.8% accuracy rate and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards
- Trained 200+ staff members on new digital records protocols, resulting in a 25% increase in departmental efficiency and data integrity
Data management software
Digital asset management
Metadata creation standards
Attention to detail
Strong organizational skills
Effective communication skills
Certified Archivist (CA)
Digital Archives Specialist (DAS)
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for an archivist resume
- Use action verbs to showcase how you've put your archivist skills to use in your career (e.g. 'catalog', 'digitize', 'preserve').
- Include your educational achievements, including any impressive grades. Focus on the most relevant qualifications for the role.
- Keep your archivist resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Choose a resume format that's clear, professional and makes your resume as readable as possible. Pay particular attention to the font, line spacing, heading and margins to make your document as easy-to-read as possible for employers.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- Don't use an email address that creates an unprofessional impression. Instead, create an email address for job applications based on your name.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms that can make your archivist resume more difficult to read.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
- Don't clutter your archivist resume with too much information. Keep everything focused on showcasing your relevant skills and achievements.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized 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 writing your archivist resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Here a some simple tips to follow for an ATS-friendly resume:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- 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 design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions for an archivist resume
Now that you know how to write a professional archivist resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the archivist job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
If you have plenty of experience as an archivist, you'll want your resume to showcase your extensive career history and achievements. Your archivist resume is likely to have a longer work experience section than resumes for less experienced candidates, any you may wish to go back further than the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history, depending on your experience levels. Consider adding any optional sections that show employers the impact you've made in your career to date. These include awards, successful projects or a dedicated achievements section.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for archivist jobs. 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. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Aspiring Archivist Seeking Growth Opportunities
- Dedicated and Detail-Oriented Archivist
- Senior Archivist and Records Specialist
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 don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key takeaways for your archivist resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
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) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
