Enlighten_psych  ·  Updated March 2026

 Psychology Resume & CV Templates 2026

Complete Resume Guide for Psychology Students & Professionals in India

📚 List prepared by Enlighten_psych – Shweta Jain
@enlighten_psych
5
Resume Templates
100+
ATS Keywords
10
Mistakes to Avoid
6
Easy Steps

Welcome to Your Complete Resume Hub!

Creating a professional resume is crucial for landing your dream psychology job or internship. This comprehensive guide includes:

Quick Resume Tips

Template 1: Freshers / Students (BA / MA Psychology)

Best For:

BA / BSc / MA / MSc Psychology students, final year students, fresh graduates with 0–2 years experience, internship seekers

PRIYA SHARMA
+91-98765-43210 priya.sharma@email.com linkedin.com/in/priyasharma Mumbai, Maharashtra

Professional Summary

Motivated psychology graduate with strong academic background in clinical and developmental psychology. Completed 3 internships in counseling settings with hands-on experience in psychological assessment and client interaction. Passionate about mental health advocacy and skilled in research methodology. Seeking entry-level position to apply psychological principles in real-world settings.

Education

Master of Arts in Psychology – University of Mumbai | 2024–2026 (Expected)

  • CGPA: 8.5/10 | Specialization: Clinical Psychology
  • Relevant Coursework: Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Counseling Techniques, Research Methods

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – St. Xavier's College | 2021–2024

  • Percentage: 82% | First Class with Distinction
  • Won Best Research Paper Award at National Psychology Conference 2023

Internship Experience

Psychology Intern – Mindcare Counseling Centre, Mumbai | Jan 2025 – Mar 2025

  • Conducted intake assessments for 25+ clients under supervision
  • Assisted in administering psychological tests (Beck Depression Inventory, GAD-7)
  • Maintained confidential client records using HIPAA-compliant systems
  • Participated in weekly case review meetings with licensed psychologists

Research Intern – Indian Institute of Psychology, Delhi | Jun 2024 – Aug 2024

  • Collected and analyzed data for study on adolescent mental health (N=150)
  • Performed statistical analysis using SPSS (correlation, regression, ANOVA)
  • Co-authored research paper submitted to Indian Journal of Psychology
  • Presented findings at departmental research symposium

Volunteer Counselor – iCALL (TISS Helpline) | Sep 2023 – Dec 2023

  • Provided emotional support via helpline to 50+ callers monthly
  • Applied active listening and crisis intervention techniques
  • Documented call summaries and referral recommendations

Skills

Clinical: Psychological Assessment, Active Listening, Empathy, Crisis Intervention, Rapport Building

Research: Data Collection, SPSS, Qualitative Analysis, Literature Review, APA Writing Style

Technical: MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom/Teams, Canva

Soft Skills: Communication, Time Management, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Cultural Sensitivity

Certifications

  • Psychological First Aid – Coursera (Johns Hopkins University) | 2024
  • Mental Health and Well-being – NIMHANS | 2023
  • Introduction to Psychology – NPTEL | 2022

Projects

Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem in College Students | Final Year Project

  • Surveyed 200 students using Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
  • Found significant negative correlation (r = −0.65, p < 0.01)
  • Presented findings at college symposium

Languages

English (Fluent) · Hindi (Native) · Marathi (Fluent)

ATS Keywords for Freshers (click to copy)

Psychological AssessmentResearch MethodologyData AnalysisSPSSCounseling SkillsActive ListeningCase DocumentationMental HealthClient InteractionAPA StyleCrisis InterventionEmpathyLiterature ReviewQualitative ResearchQuantitative Research
Template 2: Clinical Psychology

Best For:

M.Phil/PhD Clinical Psychology students, RCI registered psychologists, hospital-based psychologists, private practitioners

DR. RAJESH KUMAR

M.Phil Clinical Psychology | RCI Registered Clinical Psychologist (Reg. No: A-12345)

+91-98765-43210 dr.rajesh.clinical@email.com linkedin.com/in/drrajeshkumar Bangalore, Karnataka

Professional Summary

RCI-registered Clinical Psychologist with 5+ years of experience in hospital and private practice settings. Expertise in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based interventions for anxiety, depression, trauma, and personality disorders. Skilled in CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy. Conducted 500+ therapy sessions with 85% positive client outcomes. Passionate about reducing mental health stigma through community outreach.

Professional Experience

Senior Clinical Psychologist – Fortis Hospital, Bangalore | Jul 2022 – Present

  • Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments using standardized tools (MMPI-2, WAIS-IV, Rorschach)
  • Provide individual and group psychotherapy for 40+ clients monthly
  • Developed hospital-wide mental health screening protocol reducing missed diagnoses by 30%
  • Supervise 3 psychology interns and conduct weekly training sessions
  • Collaborate with psychiatrists and multidisciplinary team for integrated care
  • Maintain 95% client satisfaction rating based on quarterly feedback

Clinical Psychologist – Mind Wellness Centre, Bangalore | Jun 2019 – Jun 2022

  • Provided evidence-based therapy (CBT, ACT, DBT) for anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD
  • Administered and interpreted 200+ psychological assessments
  • Delivered psychoeducation workshops reaching 500+ individuals
  • Reduced client dropout rate from 25% to 12% through enhanced engagement strategies
  • Published 2 case studies in peer-reviewed journals

Education

M.Phil in Clinical Psychology – NIMHANS, Bangalore | 2017–2019

  • Specialization: Trauma and Anxiety Disorders
  • Dissertation: "Efficacy of Trauma-Focused CBT in Indian Context" (Grade: A+)
  • Clinical Placement: 1000+ hours across inpatient and outpatient settings

Master of Arts in Psychology – Christ University, Bangalore | 2015–2017

  • CGPA: 9.2/10 | Gold Medalist

Core Competencies

Clinical Assessment: MMPI-2, WAIS-IV, Rorschach, TAT, BDI-II, Hamilton Scales, PCL-5

Therapeutic Approaches: CBT, DBT, ACT, Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, Exposure Therapy

Specializations: Anxiety Disorders, Depression, PTSD, OCD, Personality Disorders, Grief Counseling

Professional: Diagnosis (ICD-11, DSM-5), Treatment Planning, Crisis Management, Risk Assessment

Technical: EMR Systems (HealthConnect, Practo), Teletherapy (Zoom, Doxy.me)

Certifications & Training

  • RCI License in Clinical Psychology (A-12345) | Valid until 2027
  • Advanced Training in DBT – Behavioral Tech, USA | 2023
  • EMDR Level 1 & 2 Certification – EMDR Institute | 2022
  • Suicide Risk Assessment Training – NIMHANS | 2021
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health – TISS | 2020

Publications & Presentations

  • Kumar, R., & Sharma, S. (2023). "Cultural Adaptation of CBT for Anxiety in Indian Population." Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45(2), 123–135.
  • Presented at National Conference on Mental Health (NIMHANS) – "Trauma-Informed Care in Hospital Settings" | 2024

Professional Affiliations

  • Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) – Registered Member
  • Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP) – Active Member
  • Karnataka Psychological Society – Executive Committee Member

Languages

English (Fluent) · Hindi (Fluent) · Kannada (Native) · Tamil (Conversational)

ATS Keywords for Clinical Psychology (click to copy)

Clinical PsychologyRCI RegisteredPsychological AssessmentCognitive Behavioral TherapyDBTEMDRDSM-5ICD-11MMPI-2WAIS-IVPsychotherapyMental HealthTreatment PlanningCrisis InterventionEvidence-Based PracticeMultidisciplinary TeamPatient CareClinical Supervision
Template 3: Counseling Psychology

Best For:

School counselors, career counselors, relationship counselors, private practice counselors, NGO counselors

ANITA DESAI

M.A. Counseling Psychology | Certified Career Counselor

+91-98765-43210 anita.counselor@email.com linkedin.com/in/anitadesai Delhi, India www.anitacounseling.com

Professional Summary

Compassionate Counseling Psychologist with 4+ years of experience in school counseling and private practice. Expertise in adolescent mental health, career counseling, and family therapy. Successfully counseled 300+ students and families, achieving 90% client satisfaction. Skilled in person-centered therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, and psychoeducation.

Professional Experience

Senior School Counselor – Delhi Public School, Delhi | Aug 2021 – Present

  • Provide individual and group counseling to 250+ students (Grades 6–12)
  • Developed school-wide mental health awareness program reaching 1000+ students annually
  • Conduct crisis intervention and suicide risk assessments with 100% follow-up protocol compliance
  • Facilitate parent-teacher-student conferences improving family engagement by 40%
  • Organize career guidance workshops and college application support sessions

Counseling Psychologist (Part-Time) – Self-Employed, Delhi | Jan 2020 – Present

  • Provide individual therapy (online and in-person) for anxiety, stress, relationship issues, self-esteem
  • Conduct career counseling sessions using psychometric assessments (Strong Interest Inventory, MBTI)
  • Maintain caseload of 15–20 active clients with 85% retention rate

Counselor – Youth Mental Health Foundation (NGO), Delhi | Jun 2019 – Jul 2021

  • Counseled 50+ at-risk youth monthly on substance abuse, family conflict, trauma
  • Developed life skills curriculum for underprivileged adolescents
  • Conducted community outreach programs in 10 low-income neighborhoods

Education

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology – Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi | 2017–2019

  • CGPA: 8.7/10 | Specialization: School Counseling and Career Guidance
  • Internship: 500 hours at government school and community mental health center

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honors) – Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University | 2014–2017

  • Percentage: 85% | First Division

Core Competencies

Counseling: Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Gottman Method

Specializations: Adolescent Counseling, Career Counseling, Family Therapy, Grief Counseling, Stress Management

Assessment: Strong Interest Inventory, MBTI, Holland Code (RIASEC), Beck Youth Inventories

Technical: Zoom/Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Canva, Google Workspace

Certifications & Training

  • Certified Career Counselor – NCDA | 2023
  • Diploma in School Counseling – TISS | 2021
  • Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training – Jeevan Foundation | 2022
  • Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1 | 2020
  • Child Protection and Safeguarding – UNICEF India | 2021

Languages

English (Fluent) · Hindi (Native) · Punjabi (Conversational)

ATS Keywords for Counseling Psychology (click to copy)

Counseling PsychologySchool CounselingCareer CounselingFamily TherapyPerson-Centered TherapySolution-FocusedAdolescent Mental HealthCrisis InterventionActive ListeningEmpathyRapport BuildingPsychoeducationGroup CounselingIndividual CounselingMental Health Awareness
Template 4: Research / Academic Psychology

Best For:

PhD scholars, research associates, postdoctoral fellows, university professors, research scientists

DR. MEERA NAIR

PhD in Cognitive Psychology | Research Scientist

+91-98765-43210 dr.meera.research@email.com linkedin.com/in/drmeeranair Pune, Maharashtra scholar.google.com/meeranair

Research Profile

Cognitive psychologist with 6+ years of research experience in attention, memory, and decision-making. Published 12 peer-reviewed articles (h-index: 8) in high-impact journals. Secured INR 50 lakhs in research grants. Expert in experimental design, advanced statistics (R, Python), fMRI, and eye-tracking.

Academic & Research Positions

Assistant Professor – Department of Psychology, Savitribai Phule Pune University | Jul 2022 – Present

  • Teach UG and PG courses: Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods, Statistics
  • Supervise 8 M.A. theses and 2 Ph.D. students on attention and working memory
  • Established Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (INR 30 lakhs funding)
  • Published 6 research papers in Q1 journals (citations: 150+)
  • Secured UGC Major Research Project grant (INR 20 lakhs)
  • Student teaching rating: 4.7/5.0

Postdoctoral Fellow – IIT Bombay | Aug 2020 – Jun 2022

  • Investigated neural mechanisms of attention using fMRI and computational modeling
  • Published 4 papers including one in Cognitive Science (IF: 3.5)
  • Collaborated with researchers from MIT and Oxford
  • Presented at 3 international conferences (APS, ASSC, Psychonomics)

Research Associate – NIMHANS | Jun 2019 – Jul 2020

  • Conducted clinical research on attention deficits in ADHD and schizophrenia
  • Administered neuropsychological assessments to 100+ clinical participants
  • Co-authored 2 papers on cognitive rehabilitation interventions

Education

PhD in Cognitive Psychology – University of Delhi | 2015–2019

  • Dissertation: "Neural Correlates of Selective Attention in Multisensory Environments"
  • Awarded UGC-NET JRF Fellowship (2015–2019)

M.Sc. in Cognitive Science – IIT Kanpur | 2013–2015

  • CGPA: 9.5/10 | Department Rank: 1st

Research Expertise

Areas: Attention, Working Memory, Decision Making, Bilingualism, Cognitive Neuroscience

Methods: Behavioral Experiments, fMRI, EEG/ERP, Eye-Tracking, Computational Modeling

Statistics: R, Python (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas), SPSS, MATLAB, Bayesian Statistics

Neuro-tools: SPM, FSL, AFNI, FreeSurfer

Selected Publications

  • Nair, M., & Kumar, R. (2023). "Bilingual advantage in cognitive control: Evidence from fMRI." Cognitive Science, 47(3). [25 citations]
  • Nair, M., Singh, A., & Sharma, P. (2022). "Attention mechanisms in multisensory integration." JEP: Human Perception & Performance, 48(5). [42 citations]
  • Nair, M. (2021). "Working memory capacity predicts decision-making under uncertainty." Cognition, 215. [38 citations]

h-index: 8 | Total citations: 150+

Awards & Honors

  • Young Researcher Award – Indian Science Congress | 2024
  • Best Paper Award – National Conference on Cognitive Science | 2022
  • UGC-NET JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | 2015

ATS Keywords for Research/Academic (click to copy)

Research MethodologyExperimental DesignStatistical AnalysisR ProgrammingPythonSPSSData AnalysisPeer-Reviewed PublicationsGrant WritingfMRIEEGTeachingSupervisionCognitive PsychologyNeuroscience
Template 5: Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology

Best For:

HR psychologists, organizational consultants, talent acquisition specialists, L&D professionals, employee wellness coordinators

VIKRAM SINGH

M.A. Industrial-Organizational Psychology | SHRM-CP Certified

+91-98765-43210 vikram.io.psych@email.com linkedin.com/in/vikramsingh Gurgaon, Haryana

Professional Summary

Results-driven I-O Psychologist with 5+ years of experience in talent management, organizational development, and employee engagement. Expertise in psychometric assessments, competency mapping, and data-driven HR analytics. Successfully designed and implemented talent acquisition strategies reducing turnover by 30% and improving hiring quality by 45%.

Professional Experience

Senior I-O Psychologist / Talent Management Specialist – Infosys Limited, Gurgaon | Jun 2021 – Present

  • Design and validate psychometric assessments for leadership pipeline (2000+ candidates annually)
  • Reduced campus hiring dropout by 25% through improved candidate-job fit assessment
  • Conduct job analysis and competency modeling for 15 critical roles
  • Lead quarterly employee engagement surveys (12,000+ employees) – 85% participation
  • Develop and deliver leadership development programs for 200+ managers
  • Analyze HR metrics and present quarterly insights to C-suite leadership

I-O Psychologist / HR Analytics Specialist – Genpact, Bangalore | Jul 2019 – May 2021

  • Designed situational judgment tests improving performance by 35%
  • Implemented 360-degree feedback system for 500+ managers
  • Reduced voluntary attrition from 22% to 15% through predictive analytics
  • Developed employee wellness program reaching 3000+ employees

Education

M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology – TISS, Mumbai | 2017–2019

  • CGPA: 8.9/10 | Specialization: Talent Assessment and Organizational Development

B.A. in Psychology – Delhi University | 2014–2017 | 80%

Core Competencies

I-O Psychology: Job Analysis, Competency Modeling, Assessment Design, Validation Studies, 360 Feedback

Talent Mgmt: Recruitment, Selection, Succession Planning, Performance Management

Assessment Tools: SHL, Hogan Assessments, MBTI, DISC, Big Five, SJTs

Technical: SPSS, R, Excel (Advanced), Power BI, Tableau, SAP SuccessFactors, Workday

Certifications

  • SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) | 2023
  • MBTI Certified Practitioner – Level II | 2022
  • Hogan Assessment Certification | 2021
  • Advanced HR Analytics – IIM Ahmedabad | 2020
  • Certificate in Change Management – Prosci | 2021

Key Achievements

  • Leadership Assessment Centre: Improved selection accuracy by 40%
  • Engagement Initiative: Increased engagement score from 68% to 78% in 18 months
  • Competency Framework: Developed for 50+ roles across 5 business units
  • D&I: Increased gender diversity in tech roles by 25%

ATS Keywords for I-O Psychology (click to copy)

Industrial-Organizational PsychologyTalent ManagementHR AnalyticsEmployee EngagementPsychometric AssessmentCompetency MappingJob AnalysisOrganizational DevelopmentLeadership DevelopmentPerformance ManagementSuccession PlanningChange ManagementHRISData AnalyticsStakeholder Management
Cover Letter Template

Your Name
Your Address
City, State – PIN Code
Phone: +91-XXXXX-XXXXX
Email: your.email@example.com
Date: [Current Date]

Hiring Manager's Name
Title
Organization Name
Address
City, State – PIN Code

Subject: Application for [Job Title] – [Job ID if applicable]

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name / Hiring Committee],

[Opening Paragraph – Hook]
I am writing to express my strong interest in the [Job Title] position at [Organization Name] as advertised on [source]. With my [degree] in [specialization] from [university] and [X years] of experience in [relevant field], I am confident that my skills and passion align perfectly with the requirements of this role.

[Body Paragraph 1 – Your Qualifications]
During my tenure as [Your Role] at [Organization], I have gained extensive experience in [key skill 1], [key skill 2], and [key skill 3]. Specifically, I [quantifiable achievement, e.g., "successfully counseled 50+ clients with a 90% satisfaction rate"]. My academic training combined with hands-on experience has equipped me with a solid foundation in [relevant expertise].

[Body Paragraph 2 – Why This Organization]
I am particularly drawn to [Organization Name] because of [specific reason]. I admire your work in [specific initiative], and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [specific goal].

[Closing Paragraph]
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background can contribute to [Organization Name]. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]
Your Name

Enclosure: Resume

Cover Letter Tips

  • Keep it to 1 page (300–400 words)
  • Address the hiring manager by name (research on LinkedIn)
  • Customize for each application – mention specific job requirements
  • Use quantifiable achievements
  • Proofread carefully – no spelling/grammar errors
  • End with a clear call-to-action
LinkedIn Profile Optimization

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

1. Profile Photo

  • Professional headshot (clear face, neutral background)
  • Dress professionally; good lighting and high resolution

2. Headline (120 characters)

Formula: [Your Role] | [Specialization] | [Key Value Proposition]

  • Clinical Psychologist | Anxiety & Trauma Specialist | Helping Individuals Reclaim Mental Wellness
  • I-O Psychologist | Talent Assessment Expert | Building High-Performing Teams
  • Psychology Graduate | Aspiring Counselor | Passionate About Mental Health Advocacy

3. About Section

  • Opening Hook – Start with your passion
  • Who You Are – Role, specialization, years of experience
  • What You Do – Key skills, approaches, services
  • Your Impact – Quantifiable outcomes
  • Call-to-Action – How people can connect

4. Skills Section

Clinical/Counseling:

  • • Psychological Assessment
  • • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • • Mental Health Counseling
  • • Crisis Intervention
  • • Trauma-Focused Therapy

Research/Academic:

  • • Research Methodology
  • • Statistical Analysis
  • • SPSS / R Programming
  • • Academic Writing
  • • Data Analysis

5. Activity & Engagement

  • Post regularly: 2–3 times/week with insights and achievements
  • Use hashtags: #Psychology #MentalHealth #ClinicalPsychology #TherapistLife
  • Join groups: Indian Psychologists Network, Clinical Psychology Professionals
  • Get endorsements: Ask colleagues, supervisors, classmates
  • Aim for 3–5 recommendations from supervisors/professors

Pro Tips for LinkedIn Success

  • Custom URL: linkedin.com/in/yourname
  • Open to Work: Turn on for job hunting (visible to recruiters only)
  • SEO Keywords: Use relevant keywords in headline, about, and experience
  • All-Star profile: Complete all sections for maximum visibility
  • Connection Message: "Hi [Name], I admire your work in [field]. I'd love to connect and learn from your experience!"
ATS Keywords Cheat Sheet

What is ATS?

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by companies to scan resumes before they reach human recruiters. To pass ATS screening, your resume must include relevant keywords naturally integrated into your content.

🧠 Clinical Psychology

Clinical PsychologyPsychotherapyCBTDBTEMDRPsychological AssessmentDSM-5ICD-11DiagnosisTreatment PlanningRisk AssessmentMMPI-2WAIS-IVRCI RegisteredCrisis Intervention

💬 Counseling Psychology

Counseling PsychologySchool CounselingCareer CounselingFamily TherapyPerson-Centered TherapyActive ListeningEmpathyRapport BuildingMotivational InterviewingPsychoeducationGrief CounselingStress Management

🔬 Research Psychology

Research MethodologyExperimental DesignStatistical AnalysisSPSSR ProgrammingPythonQualitative ResearchQuantitative ResearchAPA StyleGrant WritingfMRIEEGIRB Ethics

🏢 I-O Psychology

I-O PsychologyTalent ManagementHR AnalyticsEmployee EngagementCompetency MappingJob AnalysisOrganizational DevelopmentLeadership Development360 FeedbackHRISSuccession PlanningChange Management

🌐 Universal Keywords (All Roles)

Psychological AssessmentMental HealthClient CareCase ManagementDocumentationConfidentialityEthicsCultural SensitivityCommunication SkillsProblem-SolvingCritical ThinkingTeamworkEvidence-Based PracticeMultidisciplinary CollaborationProfessional Development

⚡ Action Verbs for Psychology Resumes

Assessment
  • Assessed
  • Evaluated
  • Diagnosed
  • Screened
  • Administered
Intervention
  • Counseled
  • Facilitated
  • Implemented
  • Delivered
  • Conducted
Research
  • Analyzed
  • Investigated
  • Published
  • Presented
  • Researched
Leadership
  • Led
  • Supervised
  • Developed
  • Designed
  • Mentored

ATS Pro Tips

  • Write full form AND acronym: "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)" then use "CBT" later
  • Match job description exactly – spelling matters ("Counseling" vs "Counselling")
  • Avoid tables and graphics – ATS can't read them
  • Use standard section headings: "Work Experience" not "Where I've Worked"
  • Don't keyword stuff – use keywords naturally in sentences
Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

1. Generic Objective Statements

❌ Don't:

"Seeking a challenging position in a reputed organization where I can utilize my skills…"

✅ Instead:

"Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 5+ years of CBT expertise, seeking to contribute evidence-based interventions at [Hospital Name]."

2. Vague Job Descriptions

❌ Don't: "Responsible for counseling students"

✅ Instead: "Provided individual counseling to 50+ students monthly on academic stress and career guidance, achieving 90% satisfaction rating."

3. No Quantifiable Achievements

❌ Don't: "Conducted many therapy sessions"

✅ Instead: "Conducted 500+ individual therapy sessions with 85% of clients reporting significant symptom improvement within 3 months."

4. Including Irrelevant Information

❌ Don't Include:

  • Photo (unless specifically requested)
  • Marital status, religion, caste
  • Father's/Mother's name
  • Date of birth (unless legally required)
  • "References available upon request" (outdated)

5. Poor Formatting

  • Multiple fonts (stick to 1–2 professional fonts)
  • Small fonts (use 10–12pt body, 14–18pt name)
  • Fancy graphics/borders (ATS can't read them)
  • More than 2 pages (1 for freshers)

6. Not Tailoring Resume to Job

Solution:

  • Read job description carefully, highlight 15–20 key requirements
  • Adjust Professional Summary to match
  • Add keywords from job posting

7. Unprofessional Contact Info

❌ Avoid: cutegirl123@yahoo.com, no LinkedIn link, no city

✅ Include: Name · Phone · Professional Email · LinkedIn · City/State

8. Lying or Exaggerating

  • Never claim degrees or certifications you don't have
  • Never inflate job titles or fabricate publications
  • Background checks will catch lies, permanently damaging your reputation

Final Resume Checklist

  • No spelling or grammar errors (triple-checked)
  • Contact information is accurate and professional
  • Tailored to specific job description
  • Quantifiable achievements included
  • ATS-friendly keywords integrated naturally
  • Consistent formatting throughout
  • 1–2 pages maximum
  • Saved as PDF
  • File name is professional (e.g., Priya_Sharma_Clinical_Psychologist_Resume.pdf)
  • Someone else has reviewed it
How to Use These Templates

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Choose Your Template

Select the template matching your career stage and specialization. Fresher? Start with Template 1. Changing specializations? Adapt elements from multiple templates.

2

Copy the Structure

Open Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Copy the section headings. Keep the order: Summary → Experience → Education → Skills → Certifications.

3

Replace with Your Information

Replace sample content with your actual details. Keep the writing style but personalize the content. Use the same bullet point structure.

4

Add Relevant Keywords

Read the job description. Identify 15–20 keywords. Check the ATS Keywords Cheat Sheet. Naturally integrate these keywords into your resume.

5

Format for ATS

Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman). Avoid tables, graphics, headers/footers. Use simple bullet points. Save as PDF or .docx as requested.

6

Proofread & Review

Use Grammarly. Read aloud to catch errors. Ask a mentor to review. Check the Common Mistakes section.

Pro Tip

Create a Master Resume with ALL your experience (3–4 pages). For each application, create a tailored 1–2 page version by selecting the most relevant content.

How to Download & Use

Save This Page

📄 Save as PDF

  • Browser menu → Print (Ctrl+P)
  • Select "Save as PDF"
  • Save to your device

🔖 Bookmark

  • Press Ctrl+D / Cmd+D
  • Save to bookmarks
  • Access anytime offline

🔗 Share

  • Copy the page URL
  • Share with classmates
  • Help others succeed!

Need More Help?

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© 2026 Enlighten_psych – Shweta Jain | All templates are free to use for personal job applications

Last Updated: March 2026

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