DEI Resume Example
A career as a DEI typically involves promoting inclusive practices and facilitating DEI workshops. A professional resume for DEI applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your DEI applications.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a DEI resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning DEI resume.
Main sections of a Diversity And Inclusion Specialist resume
The key sections to include in a DEI resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
For junior and entry-level DEI positions, you may be short on work experience to include in your resume. Select a resume layout that emphasizes your skills and qualifications, such as a functional format. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
If you have some experience as a DEI, use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format and focus on showing how you've used the skills required for the job in your career to date. Use your work experience section to highlight your career achievements and show how you meet the job description. Offer evidence of the impact you had on successful outcomes for the company.
For senior DEI roles, you're likely to be competing against highly experienced candidates. Use a reverse-chronological resume format and focus on adding additional information that shows your credentials beyond your work experience. Your senior resume will likely be more comprehensive than resumes for more junior roles. You can add extra details about your career, such as awards, publications presentations, professional memberships or certifications.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
Your DEI resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Jonathan Hernandez
jonathan.hernandez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
280 South Verde Street, Los Angeles, CA
linkedin․com/in/jonathan–hernandez123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for DEI roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why DEI roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for DEI roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. See below for some great examples of what to include in your DEI resume summary.
Good example:
Bachelor of Arts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Studies with extensive experience as a DEI Specialist. Proven track record in developing and implementing strategic initiatives to foster inclusive environments, conducting training sessions, and advising on equitable practices to enhance organizational culture and employee engagement. Strong analytical skills and adept at using data to drive decision-making and measure DEI progress
Bad example:
Studied arts with a focus on diversity and inclusion, worked on projects related to making places more welcoming. Have done some training and given advice on fair practices. Good at looking at numbers and using them to see how things are going
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Work Experience
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a DEI. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
A successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in a Diversity And Inclusion Specialist resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist, January 2022 - Present
EquiBridge Consulting, San Antonio
- Implemented a company-wide DEI training program, increasing employee engagement and awareness by 45% over six months
- Developed and launched an inclusive hiring strategy, resulting in a 30% increase in diverse hires within the first year
- Spearheaded Employee Resource Groups, enhancing cross-cultural collaboration and support, leading to a 20% improvement in employee satisfaction scores
Bad example:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist, January 2022 - Present
EquiBridge Consulting, San Antonio
- Led initiatives to improve workplace diversity and inclusion, fostering a more inclusive environment for all employees
- Contributed to employee engagement strategies, promoting a culture of awareness and collaboration across the organization
- Supported the development of hiring practices aimed at enhancing diversity and inclusion within the company
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. Ineffective work experience sections tend to focus too much on everyday responsibilities over skills and achievements. If you use vague descriptions of activities and fail to back up your achievements with evidence, you're likely to fail to make an impact on the reader.
Education
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to DEI roles.
Typically, working as a DEI requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your data analysis proficiency or EEO regulations knowledge.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Arts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Studies, 2017 - 2020
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a DEI role. Skills such as data analysis proficiency or interpersonal communication are particularly useful for DEI jobs. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a DEI.
Highlighting your hard skills
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a DEI. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a DEI resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a Diversity And Inclusion Specialist resume, see below.
- Data analysis proficiency
- EEO regulations knowledge
- HR policy development
Showcasing your best soft skills
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to DEI roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a DEI resume, see below.
- Interpersonal communication
- Emotional intelligence (EI)
- Conflict resolution
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
In this section, include any DEI certifications, training or licenses you hold that are relevant to the job. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Take a look at some example certifications for a DEI resume below:
- Cornell University ILR, 2022
- SHRM Inclusive Workplace, 2022
- Georgetown DEI Management, 2022
Resume tip:
Optional Sections
In addition to the core sections of a Diversity And Inclusion Specialist resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies and Interests
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteer Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your DEI resume. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard DEI resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your DEI resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Promoted
- Advocated
- Championed
- Facilitated
- Implemented
- Orchestrated
- Fostered
- Enhanced
- Developed
- Collaborated
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Example resume for DEI applications
The DEI resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
280 South Verde Street, Los Angeles, CA
•
jonathan.hernandez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/jonathan–hernandez123
Dynamic and results-oriented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professional with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Proven experience as a DEI Manager, adept at developing and implementing strategic initiatives to foster inclusive workplace environments. Strong background in policy development, training programs, and metrics analysis to enhance organizational culture and promote equity. Excellent communication and leadership skills with a commitment to driving change and supporting diverse communities
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
2020
-2022
Inclusion Innovators Inc (St. Louis)
- Implemented company-wide DEI training, resulting in a 40% increase in employee engagement scores
- Led recruitment initiatives, increasing minority hires by 30% over two years
- Developed and launched an inclusive benefits program, enhancing employee satisfaction by 25%
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
2017
-2020
University of Houston (Houston, TX)
Data analysis proficiency
EEO regulations knowledge
HR policy development
Interpersonal communication
Emotional intelligence (EI)
Conflict resolution
Cornell University ILR
SHRM Inclusive Workplace
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a DEI resume
Advice to help you craft a winning resume
- Thoroughly proofread your resume before you send it, to make sure it's free from errors in spelling or grammar.
- Quantify your achievements and show evidence of how you've used your skills to bring positive outcomes in your career to date.
- Showcase your key DEI qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- Use a clear resume format with professional elements, including suitable headings, line spacing, fonts and margins, to make your resume as readable as possible for hiring managers.
- Use action words that show how you've made an impact in different DEI jobs (e.g. advocated, orchestrated, developed).
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
- Don't lie or exaggerate on your DEI resume, as this can create false expectations in employers and harm you in the future.
- Don't crowd your DEI resume with too many unnecessary details. Focus on only the most critical skills and achievements.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your DEI resume, you'll give yourself a better chance of ranking highly in the ATS screening and progressing to the next stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
FAQs for a DEI resume
As well as writing a professional DEI resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
If you choose to write a full cover letter, follow traditional letter-writing conventions surrounding greetings, sign-offs and use of professional language. The body of the cover letter tends to be three paragraphs. The first introduces yourself and the role you're applying for, giving reasons for your application. The second briefly covers your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to DEI roles. Finally, the third paragraph re-emphasizes your interest in the role and leaves a call to action, encouraging the employer to reach out to you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
Even if you have no work experience, following a few simple tips for your DEI resume can ensure you make a strong impression on employers. Select a resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience, such as a functional format. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your DEI application, a resume headline can help. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
See an example resume headline below:
- Junior Diversity & Inclusion Specialist
- Champion of Diversity and Inclusion
- Experienced Diversity & Inclusion Leader
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for your DEI resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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