Have you written a paper or article? Have you been part of a scientific study and your name is on that study that got published?
Congratulations. That is seriously some amazing work.
It feels good to be published. All your hard work is out there for the world to see. You should WANT to be bragging about this and your resume is a great spot to do so.
Hopefully, we all know by now that your resume is the window to your career history. One part that will stand out is a publications section, especially during that infamous 6 second scan. You know the one, where the recruiter will spend 6 seconds scanning your resume before they decide it’s worth a deeper dive.
This post today is going to help you determine whether you should include your publications, how to do so if they are included, and some examples.
Should I List my Publications?
The answer depends entirely on what position you are considering. You want to stand out, right? Will being published help you stand out from the next person applying for the same position?
If the answer is yes, then go for it. Put those publications on.
If the answer is no, then consider including a couple of words in your summary that say “Published researcher. . .”
How to List my Publications on my Resume
You’ve decided it is going to be beneficial to list your publications on your resume.
Now, we need to consider a couple of more things before we begin.
Relevancy
Are your publications relevant to the position you are applying for?
Let’s say you made it into the news by winning a steak-eating competition. You also were instrumental in guiding a research project on employees facing discrimination in the workplace.
You’re applying to a human resource executive position.
Which publication will you want to list? I hope you said the research project.
Publications Section
Now where to put the publications section on your resume? Ideally, you would already have an executive summary, skills, experience, and education. You need AT LEAST those 4 topics.
The best place to insert a publications section is right below your experience in its own dedicated spot.
You don’t want it to take up a ton of space, so be choosey in which publications you list in the event you have more than 4 or 5.
Uniform Citation
The publication is relevant, you’ve added a publication section, now how do you list publications in your resume?
You’ll want to pick one of the two main styles, the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA). Don’t forget about the Chicago and Harvard styles, but they are not as commonly used.
Whichever you decide, stick with it. Don’t switch between the two styles in your resume
Reverse Chronological
Speaking of picking one and sticking with it, you’ll also want your publications to flow with the rest of your resume.
Your experience section will be in reverse chronological order. That means your publications will need to be in reverse chronological order too. That simply means you’ll list your most recent publication to the oldest.
Consider Timeframe
Just like the rest of your resume, we want to keep everything to the last 10 to 15 years. This is just to help combat ageism. The only exception to going longer than this time frame is if you’re in high-level positions or the job listing specifically wants someone who has over 20 years of experience.
The same will be true for your publications. If they are older than 10 to 15 years, it is okay to leave them off your resume.
Don’t Over Do It
What if you’re a prolific writer and have been published several times within the last two years?
This is when you’ll want to be very selective of your titles. Choose only the most relevant and leave the rest off your resume.
Simple Examples
MLA Format
MLA is typically used in the arts and humanities, breaking down citations for paintings, books, and other literature.
Here is MLA format:
Author last name, first name. Article Title. Title of Publication. Date. Website. Access Date.
Here is an example:
Southern, Mary. “History and Evolution of the Resume.” 5 December 2022, https://www.resumeassassin.com/history-and-evolution-of-the-resume. Accessed 31 December 2022.
APA Format
APA is reserved for natural, physical, and social sciences such as psychological research.
Here is APA format:
Author last name, first initial. (Year, Month Date). Title of page. Site Name. URL
Here is an example:
Southern, M. (2022, December 5). History and Evolution of the Resume. Resume Assassin. https://www.resumeassassin.com/history-and-evolution-of-the-resume
Do you have some publications and want help getting them on your resume? Reach out today!
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Reach out today: www.resumeassassin.com or mary@resumeassassin.com
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