Want a new career by looking into the past? Then you need a modern Archaeologist CV that gets you noticed and hired.
Archaeologist study history by using the latest excavating, classifying, recording, and preserving technology. To be successful you’ve not only got to demonstrate your knowledge of these fields, but also show your emotional resilience and ability to work as a team. That’s not all, there are many other important factors that you’ve got to bear in mind when writing up a attention grabbing CV.
By following the guidelines on this page and tweaking them to your specifications you can vastly increase your chances of success.
By: Iejaz Uddin – Updated 8 June 2024
Page overview:
- Archaeologist CV example
- Guide to writing an archaeologist CV
- CV layout
- Personal summary
- Work experience
- Skills to include in your CV
- Education section
Archaeologist CV template
Maxine Curry
Address
Phone: 0123 456 7890
Email: info@dayjob.com
PERSONAL SUMMARY
An adaptable and resourceful Archaeologist who has a successful track record of investigating, excavating and analysing archaeological artefacts, such as pottery, weapons, coins and human remains. Maxine has a patient and methodical approach to undertaking archaeological field investigations. She can inspire and lead a team to deliver stunning archaeological outcomes in line with a projects key aims. Furthermore, as a true professional she is able to propose, implement and monitor measures necessary to comply with national, environmental and social legislation. On a personal level she has always had a natural curiosity for learning about the past. Right now, she is looking for a suitable position with an organisation that has a friendly and encouraging atmosphere within which to grow and bloom.
CAREER HISTORY
ARCHAEOLOGIST – Start Date – Present
Employers name – Location
Responsible for leading a diverse team that examines artefacts such as prehistoric tools, buildings, bones and tiny organisms.
Duties;
- Managing the work of contractors and other third parties.
- Organising teams of diggers and volunteers.
- Advising on the archaeological implications of planning applications.
- Liaising with clients, engineers, other design team members and curators.
- Providing leadership to junior team members.
- Analysing artefacts in a laboratory setting.
- Taking and then studying aerial photographs of excavation sites.
- Visiting sites of historical interest.
- Creating virtual simulations of how archaeological sites or artefacts would have looked in the past.
- Planning surveys and excavations.
- Recording all facts accurately.
- Labelling artefacts and then storing them away.
- Advising on the preservation and conservation of historical artefacts.
- Working on field excavations and digs.
- Using the latest software to produce simulations of the way a building, site or artefact would have looked.
- Checking planning applications.
JOB TITLE – Start Date – End Date
Employers name – Location
JOB TITLE – Start Date – End Date
Employers name – Location
KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Professional
- Using mathematical, statistical and computational modelling techniques to come to conclusions.
- Have a careful and methodical approach to work.
- A good degree qualification in Archaeology and accreditations in other related disciplines.
- Strong technical skills along with excellent report writing ability.
- A member of the Chartered Institute of Archaeologists.
- Knowledge of the techniques of archaeological excavation and the processing and analysis of artefacts.
- Excellent communication, presentation and teamwork skills.
- Can work to tight deadlines due to property development schedules etc.
Personal
- Able to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
- Physically fit and able to conduct excavations with shovels and other tools.
- Have no trouble bending, kneeling, standing and lifting.
- Prepared to work evenings and weekends.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Community archaeology
Commercial archaeology
Research archaeology
General excavation
Recording techniques
Archaeological fieldwork
Excavation projects
Collecting data
Conservation
Human evolution
Forensic investigation
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
University name – Degree details Study Dates
College name – Qualifications Study Dates
School name – Subjects / Grades Study Dates
REFERENCES
Available on request.
How to write an Archaeologist CV
One of the main challenges people face when writing their CV is to effectively demonstrate their most relevant skills and unique experience. The way to overcome this is to pack your CV with proof that you can do the job.
Another way to increase the odds of getting invited to an interview, is by focusing on your ability to deliver results and drive continuous improvements in all areas of your work.
This guide will help you to structure, write, and edit your CV in a way that does all of the above. It will help to shine a light on what makes you different from everyone else by submitting a CV that is superior to those of other candidates.
Guide overview:
- CV Structure
- Contact details
- Personal summary
- Archaeologist work experience
- Skills to include in your CV
- Education
- Hobbies and interests
What does an Archaeologist do?
Archaeologists are responsible for finding, documenting, interpreting, and preserving historical remains through excavations, digs and research. Typically, they work on outdoor dig sites, overseeing and participating in the search of a specific area. Their employers can be institutes of higher learning like universities, museums, or historical societies.
On a personal level they should have the ability to work well with their hands, possess good attention to detail and be determined individuals. They should have an interest in and knowledge of history, as well as be inquisitive by nature.
CV Structure
CV formatting is important to recruiters. Get it right and you’re in, get it wrong and you’re out.
Structuring your CV correctly, shows attention to detail and demonstrates effort on your part. Both attractive qualities for hiring managers.
Remember, your CV is a sales document, it’s there to sell you. How it looks, will go a long way towards how its judged. At a glance it must give the reader an impression of a clear and easy to follow document.
Jobseekers with no work experience
A functional CV is good if you are a school leaver, graduate, new to the workforce or changing careers. It’s a skills-based CV that draws attention to your academic achievements and skill sets. This makes it ideal for people with little or no archaeological work experience.
CV Length
A CV should be as short as possible and only include information that is related to the role you are applying for. This way you avoid swamping the reader with unnecessary details and getting your strongest points lost in a sea of text.
Aim for a CV no longer than 2 pages.
Contact details
The best place to put your contact information is the header of your CV. This way the hiring manager will be able to quickly find your details to set up an interview.
Put your personal details in the following order:
- Name
- Professional title
- Email address
- Phone number
- LinkedIn profile (optional)
Related: How to write a CV headline
Willing to relocate
If the role is far from where you currently live, and you are willing to move, then mention that you are willing to relocate.
If your social media profile has up to date information and you are an active user, then insert a link to it your contact details.
Example of CV contact details layout:
Personal Summary
A summary will give employers a brief overview of your skills, experience, and career goals. In it you should also highlight your most relevant expertise, experience, and skills.
It shows the recruiting manager where the candidate’s expertise lies, as well as their past achievements and explains the reasons they’re applying for the job.
When writing it adapt your language so that it suited to the role you are applying for. This is a great way of letting the employer know you are aware of the industry culture and will find it easy to fit into an existing setup.
Location
It should be in a prominent and visible spot so hiring managers can easily see it. The usual place is at the top of your CV just below your contact details.
Example:
“A very experienced Archaeologist who has a 10-year track record of successfully managing, coordinating, and overseeing excavations from start to finish. (Your name) has the confidence needed to lead and influence others in a complex site environment.
Aside from her professional competencies she is also someone who has a calm and professional manner when dealing with changing priorities.
In her current role she oversees the finding, preserving, sorting, cataloguing and then storing of historical artefacts that are found on a dig.
At this stage of her career, she wants to join a reputable organisation where she will be given a highly competitive salary along with interesting project to be involved in.”
Archaeologist work experience in a CV
Use your employment history to showcase your current and past real-life experience as an Archaeologist.
A candidate’s work experience helps employers to evaluate the candidate’s potential for success in their role. Through it hiring managers make a more informed decision when considering you for the position.
Do not just write a list of your previous work duties and responsibilities. Instead, go through your previous roles and pick out those duties that correspond with the requirements of the job you are applying for.
For instance, is the vacancy requires some to be able to create spreadsheets using Excel, then clearly state this as follows:
- ‘Responsible for creating spreadsheets and tables using Excel.’
Achievements
If you have won any notable awards, been commended by your superiors, or achieved things, then include these in your CV. These will reinforce the idea that you are an achiever who has excelled in a role.
Example of how to write your work experience:
ARCHAEOLOGIST – Jan 2023 – Present
Employers name – Location
Responsible for determining the operations required to produce products and develop processes to ensure that engineering quality, cost, and efficiency requirements are met.
Duties:
- Studying maps, aerial photographs, geographical data, and records to identify excavation sites.
- Conducting comprehensive field surveys to locate archaeological sites.
- Carefully digging into the earth and sifting dust and dirt from potentially important artifacts.
- Oversee and maintain archaeological budgets and timetables.
Skills for an Archaeologist CV
Strengthen your CV by including a key skills section that has a good mixing of your best transferable soft skills along with industry-specific hard skills. Don’t forget to mention you your generic skills as well, such as problem-solving, troubleshooting and resolving issues.
In your CV show you can:
- Work as part of a team with managers, technical field, lab, and office staff.
- Clean, sort and catalogue finds.
- Use handheld GPS systems and other specialist software.
- Work outside in all weather conditions.
- Communicate clearly and concisely using both written and verbal skills.
- Strictly follow all relevant health and safety regulations.
- Assist in the mentoring and training of less experienced staff.
- Apply for grants and secure research funding by applying to relevant bodies.
Hard skills for an archaeologist CV
Field research
Artifact analysis
Report writing
Examining artefacts
Interpreting data
Data entry
Artifact labelling
Manual excavations
Soft skills
These should emphasize your ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts between colleagues.
List of soft skills:
Attention to detail
Physical fitness
Stamina
Data analysis
Critical thinking
Time management
Collaborative skills
Education section
Virtually all roles require archaeologists to have a postgraduate qualification. They may also need specialist training in archaeological field and laboratory techniques. If you have any of these, it’s important that you include them in your CV.
Apart from listing your academic achievements, in the education section also include any workplace training, fieldwork courses and health and safety certifications you have completed.
Give the grades you achieved, along with the awarding bodies and dates of any certificates.
Example of how to write your education in a Archaeologist CV:
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