Why This Resume Works
This resume scores well with ATS systems and CRM hiring managers because it follows three principles:
Section 106, NHPA, NEPA, NAGPRA. CRM firms need archaeologists who understand the regulatory framework, and ATS filters for these terms.
Acres surveyed, sites recorded, artifacts processed, reports authored. Numbers show the scale of your experience at a glance.
Modern archaeology demands ArcGIS, photogrammetry, and GPR experience. Listing these tools explicitly matches what employers search for.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Summary
Lead with your specialty (CRM, academic, historic preservation), years of experience, and geographic focus. Include your total project count and acreage surveyed. Mention your key compliance frameworks and technical strengths in 2-3 sentences.
Skills
Group skills into Fieldwork, Analysis, Technology, and Compliance categories. List specific software (ArcGIS Pro, not just "GIS") and specific analysis types (lithic analysis, ceramic typology). CRM firms filter for exact tool names.
Tip: If the job posting mentions "Section 106 experience," use that exact phrase. Do not write "historic preservation compliance" when the posting says "Section 106."
Experience
Use this formula for every bullet point:
Start bullets with verbs like: Directed, Conducted, Authored, Supervised, Excavated, Mapped, Cataloged, Coordinated. Avoid "Assisted with" or "Participated in."
3-5 bullets per role. Lead with project scope, compliance outcomes, and technical contributions.
Education
List your M.A. or Ph.D. first with institution and year. CRM positions typically require at minimum an M.A. in archaeology or anthropology. If you have field school certifications or specialized training (GPR, photogrammetry), include those as well.
Key Skills for Archaeologist Resumes
Based on analysis of thousands of archaeology job postings, these are the most frequently required skills:
Common Mistakes on Archaeologist Resumes
- ⚠Not specifying project phases - CRM firms want to know if you have Phase I, II, or III experience. Writing "conducted archaeological surveys" is too vague. Specify the investigation phase and your role.
- ⚠Omitting acreage and site counts - "Surveyed land for archaeological sites" says nothing about scale. "Surveyed 1,200 acres and recorded 38 new sites" shows the scope of your field experience.
- ⚠Leaving out compliance frameworks - Section 106, NEPA, ARPA, and NAGPRA are the most filtered keywords in CRM job postings. If you have compliance experience, list it prominently.
- ⚠Undervaluing GIS and technology skills - employers increasingly require ArcGIS, drone survey, and photogrammetry experience. Burying these under a generic "Computer Skills" heading reduces their visibility.