To earn a job in the social sciences while still a student, it is crucial to write a resume that captures the best examples of your academic and professional attributes.

In this guide, you will learn simple and key steps to writing a resume as a social sciences student. Keep reading to learn about:

• How to choose the best resume format for your experience level
• Why write a resume summary as a social sciences student
• What types of social sciences skills to include on a resume
• How to describe relevant work experience on a resume
• Where to list your educational credentials and academic achievements
• Where to find the best job search resources for social sciences students

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1. How to choose the best resume format for your experience level

Whenever you write a resume of any kind, the first thing you must decide is which resume format will best fit your needs. There are 3 main formatting options:

• Reverse-Chronological: The reverse-chronological resume focuses primarily on work experience, making it the largest and most central section of the document. While this format is the standard expected by most employers, it is not always the ideal choice for current students who lack an extensive formal work history.
• Functional: Functional resumes remove the focus from work experience. Instead, this type of resume will place greater emphasis on education, skills, and unpaid experience. This makes the functional format a great choice for current students, as it allows an applicant to prioritize their academic experiences and achievements more.
• Hybrid: A hybrid resume combines elements of both the reverse-chronological and functional resumes. Rather than having one focal section, a hybrid resume will spread the focus of the document out evenly between all sections. This makes this format a good choice for applicants who have a mix of academic and professional experience.

Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

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2. Why write a resume summary as a social sciences student

A resume summary is a short statement at the beginning of a resume that helps to introduce an applicant to the employer. In this summary, you should strive to include your best professional attributes, such as key specializations or notable accomplishments.

Having a well-written summary on your resume is important, as it helps you to make your resume more memorable and stand out from the competition.

To better illustrate how to write an effective resume summary, we have provided a weak example below, followed by a correction and explanation:

Why is this incorrect?

In this example, the applicant includes decent details that could be compelling if they only had more detail and context. Whenever you write a resume summary, you want to be as specific as possible so that the information stands out to employers and encourages them to read further.

Why is this correct?

In this corrected example, the applicant offers much better information regarding their degrees and experience in a leadership role for a campus organization, going as far as to list a very specific accomplishment achieved within this role. They end the summary with a highly impressive academic accomplishment, making this summary much more effective overall.

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3. What types of social sciences skills to include on a resume

As a social sciences student, you will likely want to showcase as many of your social and interpersonal skills on your resume as possible. However, it is important to not only include but also distinguish your technical skills from your interpersonal ones.

Interpersonal skills can be both learned and inherent. They affect how you interact with the people and world around you. Comparatively, technical skills must be obtained through education or training and often deal with more complex actions and activities, such as knowing how to conduct a social experiment.

Keeping this in mind, let’s look at the following examples of technical and interpersonal skills that look great on a Social Sciences Student’s resume:

4. How to describe relevant work experience on a resume

When you are still a student, chances are that you will not yet have enough formal work experience to create a super in-depth work experience section.

However, if you have academic experiences such as internships, assistantships, or required clinical hours, these can all work as good substitutes for actual jobs in your work history. To describe your past experience effectively, it is essential to include as many quantifiable and specific details as possible.

5. where to list your educational credentials and academic achievements

In general, to practice the social sciences you will need a minimum of either a bachelor’s or master’s degree depending on which discipline you choose to pursue. Including these credentials on your resume is done by creating a dedicated education section.

When you are still a student, it is important to include all of your degrees on your resume, even if they are not yet complete. To list an ongoing degree, you simply need to state that the degree is “In Progress,” as well as list your expected date of graduation.

Furthermore, your education section is where you can list your academic achievements, such as graduation honors or key academic roles.

6. Best job search resources for social sciences students

For ambitious social sciences students, knowing where to look can shape the trajectory of your job search. Here are some must-have resources to help you land your dream role:

• University career services: Before broadening your search, tap into the resources of your own institution. Career services offices often provide resume reviews, career workshops, and job listings tailored for social science students.
• Job search platforms: Websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor list a multitude of opportunities fit for a social sciences graduate. Be sure to set up personalized job alerts to stay ahead of the game.
• Specialized job boards: Look for websites like SocialService.com or Idealist that specifically cater to social sciences and related fields. You are likely to find opportunities more attuned to your degree and interests.
• Networking events: Join career fairs and networking events, whether in person or online. Engaging directly with potential employers can make a lasting impression.
• Professional associations: Depending on your area of study, joining relevant professional associations such as the American Sociological Association or the American Political Science Association can provide access to exclusive resources and job listings.
• Mentorship programs: Seek mentorship opportunities provided by your university or associations. A mentor can provide valuable industry insights, help hone your career path, and possibly even provide job leads.

Remember, in the diverse field of social sciences, having a well-rounded approach to job hunting can open a wealth of opportunities. With these resources at your disposal, you'll be well on your way to launching a successful career.