History Resume Examples
Ready to make history with a new employer? Take advantage of LiveCareer’s library of easy-to-use history resume examples. Receive step-by-step guidance for a range of history jobs.
Our Recommended Example
Historian
Popular Templates in the History Space
Archaeologist
Historical Interpreter
Associate Registrar
Medical Historian
Table of Contents
History Resume
History Cover Letter
Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your History Resume
LiveCareer’s history resume examples show you how to craft a document that will get you noticed. Our Resume Builder helps you execute it by offering something that your history books might not — pre-written, industry-specific phrases for history resumes. These phrases, penned by certified resume writers, simplify the resume creation process. Change our suggestions as needed to fit your resume or use the phrases as they are.
Here are five examples of dynamic text that the Resume Builder might suggest to show your history qualifications:
- Connected current events to historical details in order to enhance cultural knowledge and awareness.
- Capitalized on developing education trends by facilitating adoption of digital services.
- Informed tour groups about geographical history and important events with entertaining presentations.
- Implemented outreach and engagement strategies to increase new student registration by 20%.
- Supervised the preservation of tools, jewelry and human remains at archaeological digs worldwide.
6 Dos and Don’ts for Writing a History Resume
Do
- Do use metrics to illustrate your work experience and accomplishments. If you currently teach Egyptian history to 100 students across six classes, use these numbers to paint a better picture for hiring managers. It’s more vivid than something such as “taught Egyptian history to undergraduates.”
- Do detail any special training you have or areas you specialize in. History jobs are varied. One might require in-depth knowledge of Victorian England, while another might call for training in oral histories. Any papers, articles, seminars or classes you have completed in a specific area (or several) could bolster your chances of getting a position.
- Do customize your resume for each application. No two job postings are the same so study each before you apply to learn which skills and experience are critical for the role. A well-written job description should show you exactly how to tweak your resume to customize it for each role.
Don’t
- Don’t rely on jargon. Selective jargon may be appropriate on some resumes, but it’s best to keep your resume as clear and straightforward as possible, even if you are applying for a highly specialized role. The person doing the hiring may have limited knowledge of certain terms so keep the industry jargon and acronyms to a minimum to ensure your experience is understood.
- Don’t use passive language. Resumes are not the place for passive writing. Use engaging, active verbs to highlight your job tasks and achievements. For example, saying that you were responsible for “spearheading” a project is more eye-catching than saying you were “responsible for” it.
- Don’t rely simply on credentials. Competition for history jobs can get fierce, and many applicants may have credentials similar to yours. Use metrics, clear writing and smart organization to make your resume stand out. A long list of publications may unnecessarily weigh down your resume. Choose the most important or relevant.
Beat the ATS with These History Resume Skills
History job candidates should write their resumes with an applicant tracking system (ATS) in mind. Larger employers, like universities, are more likely to use these programs, but plenty of smaller schools, tourist sites, museums, nonprofits and businesses will deploy an ATS too.
Include industry-specific skills and keywords on your resume to maximize the odds of a human reading it. Otherwise, an ATS is unlikely to rank your resume highly, no matter how qualified you are. LiveCareer’s resume examples make it easy for you to use specific language on your history resume. Examples of ATS-friendly keywords might include:
- Archaeological equipment
- Cultural resource identification
- Site excavation
- Presentation and lecturing skills
- Historical research
- Data collection and analysis
- Classroom management
History Resumes for Every Professional Level
Entry-Level History Resume Example: Volunteer Researcher
This volunteer researcher employs a functional resume format and a clean and aesthetically-pleasing style to present the applicant’s qualifications. By using a functional layout, the job seeker is able to organize and present experience in a way that focuses on skills rather than on work experience, which is perfect for entry level positions.
Build My Resume
Mid-Career History Resume Example: Archaeology Technician
The combination resume format is an excellent choice for job seekers who want to show off both their impressive skill set and their work experience. This history resume example demonstrates how to craft descriptions of your work that are succinct, and how to craft a list of the most relevant skills.
Build My Resume
Executive-Level History Resume Example: Associate Director of Archaeology
It can be difficult to describe a storied career, but the chronological resume format used for this associate director of archaeology resume example delivers. This format demonstrates his impressive career trajectory to show employers his steady work history and increased level of responsibility from role to role. It’s rounded out by a brief list of sought-after skills, making this resume example easy for a recruiter to scan and assess.
Build My Resume
Resume Success Stories
Statistics and Facts About History Jobs
Typical Job Titles
- History Teachers, Postsecondary
- Historians
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Archivists
- Curators
- Archaeologists
- Tour Guides and Escorts
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Anthropology and Archaeology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Area, Ethnic and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Source: O*NET
Median Pay (2019)
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | $75,170 annual | 050K100K |
|---|
Archaeologists
| Hourly | $30.61 |
|---|---|
| Annual | $63670 | 050K100K |
Historians
| Hourly | $30.62 |
|---|---|
| Annual | $63680 | 050K100K |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
| annual | $61660 | 050K100K |
|---|
Curators
| Hourly | $26.24 |
|---|---|
| Annual | $54570 | 050K100K |
Archivists
| Hourly | $25.94 |
|---|---|
| Annual | $53950 | 050K100K |
Tour Guides and Escorts
| Hourly | $13.27 |
|---|---|
| Annual | $27600 | 050K100K |
Source: O*Net
Education Level Required
- Anthropology and Archaeology Teachers, Postsecondary: Doctoral degree
- Curators: Master’s or doctoral degree
- Archaeologists: Master’s or doctoral degree
- Archivists: Master’s degree
- Historians: Bachelor’s, master’s degree or some college
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Tour Guides and Escorts: High school diploma, associate degree or bachelor’s degree
Source: O*NET
Source: College of St. Scholastica
Projected Rates of Job Growth (2018 to 2028)
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 4%-6% (average) |
|---|---|
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | 4%-6% (average) |
| Historians | 4%-6% (average) |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | 4%-6% (average) |
| Tour Guides and Escorts | 7%-10% (faster than average) |
| Curators | 7%-10% (faster than average) |
| Archivists | 7%-10% (faster than average) |
| Archaeologists | 7%-10% (faster than average) |
| Anthropology and Archaeology Teachers, Postsecondary | 7%-10% (faster than average) | 01020 |
Source: O*Net
Number of Projected Job Openings (2018 to 2028)
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 80300 |
|---|---|
| Tour Guides and Escorts | 11600 |
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | 2400 |
| Curators | 1700 |
| Archivists | 1000 |
| Archaeologists | 800 |
| Anthropology and Archaeology Teachers, Postsecondary | 700 |
| Historians | 400 | 050K100K |
Source: O*Net
Race and Ethnicity for History Teacher Education Degree Recipients (2017)
| White | 495% degrees awarded |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 59% degrees awarded |
| Unknown | 47% degrees awarded |
| Black | 20% degrees awarded |
| Two or more races | 11% degrees awarded | 0250500 |
