Pick a clean, professional layout for your criminologist resume. Use reverse-chronological order so your investigation experience and publications show first.
Keep length to one page if you're entry-level or mid-career. Use two pages only if you have long, relevant research or casework history.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body at 10–12pt and headers at 14–16pt so recruiters can scan quickly.
Leave enough white space. Use 0.4–0.6" between sections and 1.0–1.15 line spacing to aid readability.
Use clear section headings: Summary, Research & Field Work, Publications, Education, and Skills. Keep headings consistent and simple so ATS can find them.
Avoid heavy graphics, multiple columns, and unusual fonts. Those elements often break parsing and distract hiring managers.
Watch common mistakes like long paragraphs, vague verbs, and filling space with unrelated roles. Tailor each bullet to criminology metrics, such as case clearance rates, sample sizes, or grant amounts.
Use short action sentences in bullet points. Start bullets with verbs like "led," "analyzed," or "designed." Quantify outcomes when you can.
Finally, proof your file name and format. Send a .pdf or .docx named like LastName_Criminologist_Year.pdf.