Urban Planner Resume Example
A career as an urban planner typically involves designing urban layouts and conducting GIS analysis. If you want to stand out with your urban planner applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating an urban planner resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft an urban planner resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. Continue reading to find the best urban planner resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker to build a resume with a solid foundation—just like any great city plan.
What to include in an urban planner resume
A successful urban planner resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate urban planner positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Soft and transferable skills are often more highly valued by employers for junior roles, so highlight these. Also add any internships, volunteer work or training courses you've undertaken.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for urban planner applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in each role, show the impact you made and offer evidence that demonstrates the skills and experience listed in the job description.
For senior urban planner applications, concentrate on your work experience and any accolades or achievements that prove your status as a highly experienced candidate. Use a reverse-chronological resume format with additional sections. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
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:
Header and Personal Information
In your urban planner resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
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.
Robert Foster
robert.foster@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
7 Eccles Street, Dublin, OH
linkedin․com/in/robert–foster123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as an urban planner.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
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. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your urban planner resume summary.
Dynamic Urban Planner with a Bachelor of Urban Planning and Design and extensive experience as an Urban Development Specialist. Proven expertise in designing sustainable urban environments, conducting comprehensive land use analyses, and managing large-scale development projects. Adept at collaborating with stakeholders, leveraging GIS technology, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance urban living spaces. Passionate about creating resilient and inclusive communities through strategic planning and development
Urban planner with a degree in urban planning and some experience in city development. Worked on projects related to city spaces and land use. Have experience working with others and using technology for planning. Interested in making communities better through planning and development
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Work Experience
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your urban planner skills. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
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 urban planner jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Urban Development Specialist, January 2022 - Present
MetroScape Solutions, Baton Rouge
- Led a $50M urban revitalization project, increasing green space by 30% and reducing crime rates by 20%
- Implemented smart city technologies, enhancing public transportation efficiency, resulting in a 15% increase in ridership
- Spearheaded affordable housing initiatives, delivering 5,000 new units and reducing homelessness by 10% in 3 years
Urban Development Specialist, January 2022 - Present
MetroScape Solutions, Baton Rouge
- Managed various urban development projects to improve city infrastructure and community well-being
- Collaborated with stakeholders to enhance urban environments and support sustainable growth
- Developed strategies to optimize city planning and resource allocation for better living conditions
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with 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.
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to urban planner roles.
If you're applying for urban planner positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your site analysis techniques or zoning ordinance knowledge.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
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 Urban Planning and Design, 2017 - 2020
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Hard and Soft Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to urban planner positions. Consider adding site analysis techniques, communication skills or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as an urban planner.
How to include hard skills on your urban planner resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as an urban planner. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, these skills are essential for an urban planner resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
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 urban planner resume hard skills list looks like.
- Gis software proficiency
- Zoning ordinance knowledge
- Site analysis techniques
Listing soft skills on your urban planner resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for an urban planner job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to urban planner roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for an urban planner resume.
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Team collaboration
Licenses and Certifications
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to urban planner jobs. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Take a look at some example certifications for an urban planner resume below:
- AICP Certification, 2022
- LEED AP, 2022
- CNU-A Accreditation, 2022
Optional Sections
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to an urban planner resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for urban planner jobs.
Hobbies
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 urban planner. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Voluntary Work
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for urban planner 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
References aren't a standard urban planner resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References will be available upon request.
Best action words for your urban planner resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Analyze
- Design
- Develop
- Implement
- Coordinate
- Facilitate
- Assess
- Collaborate
- Plan
- Evaluate
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Example resume for urban planner applications
The urban planner 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:
7 Eccles Street, Dublin, OH
•
robert.foster@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/robert–foster123
Urban Planner with a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning and extensive experience as a City Planning Specialist. Proven expertise in developing and implementing urban plans, conducting zoning and land use analysis, and coordinating with stakeholders to ensure sustainable and efficient city development. Skilled in GIS, site planning, and regulatory compliance, with a strong commitment to creating livable, vibrant urban environments.
City Planning Specialist
2020
-2022
UrbanVision Solutions (Portland)
- Led urban renewal project, revitalizing downtown area, increasing foot traffic by 40%, and boosting local economy
- Developed sustainable city plan, reducing carbon emissions by 25% and enhancing green spaces by 30%
- Implemented smart city technologies, improving public transportation efficiency by 35% and reducing operational costs by 20%
Gis software proficiency
Zoning ordinance knowledge
Site analysis techniques
Communication skills
Problem-solving abilities
Team collaboration
AICP Certification
LEED AP
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for urban planner resumes
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different urban planner roles (e.g. plan, evaluate, analyze).
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Include your educational achievements, including any impressive grades. Focus on the most relevant qualifications for the role.
- Showcase your key skills throughout your resume, as well as in your dedicated skills list, with each skill reflecting the job description.
- Use a professional resume format with clear headings, a defined structure and consistent margins for optimum readability.
- Don't use complex and elaborate formatting that can make your urban planner resume less readable and more difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan.
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't use passive language - avoid phrases like 'I was tasked with' and use strong action verbs instead.
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. There are several things you can do when writing your urban planner resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
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.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- 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 help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about an urban planner resume
Accompanying your resume for urban planner applications, you'll want to produce a cover letter that similarly leaves a positive impression on hiring managers.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the urban planner role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
Even if you have no work experience, following a few simple tips for your urban planner resume can ensure you make a strong impression on employers. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. 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.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your urban planner application, a resume headline can help. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. 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.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Aspiring Urban Planner Seeking Opportunities
- Innovative Urban Development Strategist
- Experienced Senior Urban Planning Specialist
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Takeaways for your urban planner resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. 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.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
