Doula Resume Example
Working as a doula can provide a rewarding career, involving providing emotional support and assisting during labor. A strong resume for doula applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a doula resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a doula resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Read on to learn how to write a perfect doula resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in a doula resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a doula resume being no different. If you're a candidate without much experience, you may wish to present your resume in a way that draws attention to your most valuable skills. These might not be in traditional work settings, so sections like education, projects, hobbies and skills can be more prominent.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
A doula resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Leah Murphy
leah.murphy@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
29 Acacia Road, Nutwood, CA
linkedin․com/in/leah–murphy123
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 doula roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a doula, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a doula resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Dedicated and compassionate Doula with extensive experience as a Birth Support Specialist, skilled in providing emotional, physical, and informational support to families throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Proficient in creating personalized birth plans, offering pain management techniques, and ensuring a positive and empowering birth experience. Strong communicator with a calm and reassuring presence, committed to advocating for clients' needs and preferences
Bad example:
Doula with some experience in helping families during pregnancy and birth. Worked on making plans and offering different ways to manage discomfort. Known for being calm and supportive, focused on understanding what families want and need
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Hard and Soft Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for doula jobs. These could be prenatal care knowledge, stress management techniques or various other relevant skills. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for doula positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Highlighting your hard skills
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a doula. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a doula resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a doula resume below.
- Childbirth education certification
- CPR and first aid
- Breastfeeding support techniques
How to list soft skills on your doula resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in 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 doula resume, see below.
- Active listening skills
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Effective communication skills
Education and Qualifications
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to doula roles.
While a degree isn't usually a requirement for a doula position, it's still recommended to list your highest or most relevant qualifications. If you have a recognized qualification, such as ICEA Birth Doula, list these here. Any educational achievements that show childbirth education certification or postpartum recovery strategies can be useful for this section.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. You could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2017 - 2020
University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a doula. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a doula. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a doula resume:
- DONA International Certification, 2022
- CAPPA Certified Doula, 2022
- ICEA Birth Doula, 2022
Work Experience
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a doula. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to doula jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Birth Support Specialist, January 2022 - Present
NurtureNest Doula Services, Charlotte
- Successfully assisted over 100 births, ensuring safe delivery and providing emotional support to mothers and families
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive birth plan template, enhancing communication and preparedness for expectant parents
- Conducted prenatal workshops and classes, educating over 500 parents on childbirth, postpartum care, and newborn essentials
Bad example:
Birth Support Specialist, January 2022 - Present
NurtureNest Doula Services, Charlotte
- Provided support to numerous families during childbirth, offering guidance and reassurance throughout the process
- Created various resources to improve communication and planning for expectant parents
- Led educational sessions on childbirth and newborn care for many parents
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Jobseeker Tip:
Focus on specific accomplishments that highlight your work ethic and reliability, such as "reduced processing time by 15%" or "earned Employee of the Month twice." (1) Pair this with a simple, clean format that ensures your resume looks professional and approachable. (2)
Optional Sections
As well as the main sections of a doula resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Personal Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a doula. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Voluntary Work
If you're lacking relevant doula work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard doula resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best strong verbs for your a doula resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Support
- Educate
- Advocate
- Guide
- Assist
- Comfort
- Empower
- Facilitate
- Coach
- Nurture
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example of a doula resume
The doula resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
29 Acacia Road, Nutwood, CA
•
leah.murphy@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/leah–murphy123
Certified Birth Doula with extensive experience providing emotional, physical, and informational support to expectant mothers and their families throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Skilled in creating personalized birth plans, advocating for clients' needs, and facilitating effective communication between clients and healthcare providers. Proven ability to foster a calming and empowering environment during childbirth, ensuring a positive and supportive birth experience.
Certified Birth Doula
2020
-2022
NurtureNest Doula Services (Fremont)
- Supported over 100 births, achieving a 95% client satisfaction rate
- Developed and led prenatal workshops, educating over 200 expecting parents annually
- Certified in advanced lactation support, enhancing postpartum care and breastfeeding success rates
Childbirth education certification
CPR and first aid
Breastfeeding support techniques
Active listening skills
Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Effective communication skills
DONA International Certification
CAPPA Certified Doula
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a doula resume
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Showcase your key doula qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- Showcase your key skills throughout your resume, as well as in your dedicated skills list, with each skill reflecting the job description.
- Proofread your resume before sending it, to avoid any unnecessary mistakes that may harm your chances.
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- List your relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent job.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't use passive language - change phrases like 'the project was delivered' to sentences using strong active verbs.
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
- Don't use an email address that contains unprofessional content, and if necessary create a new, more professional email address.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your doula career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
- Don't clutter your document by trying to add too many details. Focus on core doula skills and achievements that are relevant to the role.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When drafting your doula resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- 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.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a doula resume
Now that you know how to write a professional doula resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the doula role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
For an experienced doula application, the objective of your resume is to showcase the many achievements in your career to date. As a doula with a wealth of experience, you'll want to showcase this in your work history section. Consider going back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history to show employers your experience levels. Add any optional sections that reinforce your image as a knowledgeable, respected professional in your field. This might include awards and other recognition, successful projects or a dedicated achievements section.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your doula application, a resume headline can help. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
You can use this example resume headline as a template for creating your own:
- Aspiring Doula Seeking Experience
- Certified Doula and Birth Advocate
- Experienced Senior Doula Professional
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Takeaways for your doula 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. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
