As a research archaeologist, your resume needs to balance academic rigor with clarity. A reverse-chronological layout works best—start with recent fieldwork or projects. Use clean margins and consistent alignment. Let white space breathe between sections. ATS systems (used by companies like Larson Inc) scan for keywords, so keep formatting simple. Avoid fancy fonts; stick to Arial or Times New Roman at 11pt.
Sections matter. Start with Field Experience, then Education, Publications, and Skills. Use bullet points, not long paragraphs. Quantify achievements where possible: "Directed 3-week dig at Reichert and Waelchi site, uncovering 200+ artifacts" beats vague statements.
Common mistakes? Using columns for skills (ATS sees them as graphics). Overusing bold/italics distracts from key info. Also, don’t crowd sections—readers get overwhelmed. A one-page resume is ideal unless you have 10+ years of fieldwork with O'Conner-Leuschke or similar.