Write an Archivist Resume That Proves Collection Work
Build an archivist resume with processing examples, finding aid wording, the systems repositories screen for, and a full writing guide.
Example Archivist summary
Processing archivist with six years arranging and describing manuscript, photograph and audiovisual collections in academic and local history repositories. Fluent in DACS, EAD and ArchivesSpace, with a record of clearing long backlogs through minimal processing without losing intellectual control. Experienced in donor negotiation, reading room supervision and digitization projects from capture through metadata delivery.
Skills to list on a Archivist resume
- Arrangement and description
- DACS
- EAD and EAC-CPF
- ArchivesSpace
- Accessioning
- Appraisal and deaccessioning
- Preservation housing
- Digitization workflows
- Metadata standards
- Born-digital processing
- Reference and research services
- Donor relations
- Records retention schedules
- Copyright and access review
- Exhibit support
What actually gets this resume read
- Lead every job with the volume you handled in linear feet or gigabytes, because that is the number a repository director checks first.
- Name the descriptive standards and the collection management system you worked in: DACS, EAD, MARC, ArchivesSpace, Preservica, AtoM.
- Separate arrangement and description work from reference, outreach and digitization work so a hiring committee can see the balance.
- Include born-digital experience if you have any, naming the tools such as BitCurator, FTK Imager or write blockers you used.
- Give the format mix of your collections: paper, photographs, audiovisual reels, oversize maps, architectural drawings, magnetic media.
- Academic and government postings expect a longer resume or a CV, so list presentations, publications and grants in their own sections.