Resume

Animal Behaviorist Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this Animal Behaviorist resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

If you love animals, enjoy working with people, and have a knack for science, animal behaviorism could be the perfect career for you.

Animal behaviorists study the mental states of animals and identify the factors that influence their behavior. They study how animals interact with their environments and one another to learn more about their needs and preferences. And they use this knowledge to help improve animal welfare.

Because animal behaviorists work with such a wide variety of species, they need to have a broad range of knowledge about animal biology and ecology as well as psychology and sociology. They must also be able to work well with people and understand human behavior.

Here are some tips and an example to help you write a strong animal behaviorist resume that will get you noticed by hiring managers everywhere.

(123) 456-7891
Summary

Animal behaviorist with eight years of experience working with a variety of species in both captivity and the wild. Specializes in the study of cognition, communication, and social behavior. Passionate about conservation and using scientific research to improve the welfare of animals.

Education
University of California, Davis Jun '10
M.S. in Animal Behavior
University of California, Davis Jun '06
B.S. in Psychology
Experience
Company A, Animal Behaviorist Jan '17 – Current
  • Developed and implemented behavior modification plans for dogs with behavioral issues, including excessive barking, separation anxiety, leash pulling, jumping up on people or furniture, etc.
  • Provided training to dog owners in basic obedience commands (sit/stay, come when called) as well as teaching new tricks such as “go lay down” and “roll over”.
  • Assessed the needs of each dog based on their individual behaviors and provided recommendations regarding diet changes that may help alleviate any behavioral problems they are experiencing.
  • Communicated regularly with clients about progress being made with their pet(s), providing feedback from observations during visits at home or in our facility’s playgroups if applicable.
  • Maintained a clean environment by cleaning kennels daily and disinfecting them weekly according to protocol guidelines and maintained accurate records of all client interactions via computerized database software.
Company B, Animal Behaviorist Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Conducted research on the behavior of animals in their natural habitat, including birds and marine mammals
  • Created individualized training programs for each animal based on their behavioral needs and limitations
  • Developed enrichment activities to stimulate mental activity in captive animals (e.g., puzzles, games, etc.)
  • Trained staff members how to properly handle and care for all species under their supervision
  • Supervised a team of 10 Animal Behavior Technicians responsible for daily operations at facility
Company C, Animal Trainer Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Conducted training sessions with animals, using positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training, to teach them new behaviors.
  • Observed animals during training sessions and afterward to assess their progress and identify any areas that need improvement.
  • developed training plans for individual animals based on their unique needs and abilities.
Certifications
  • Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
  • Veterinary Technician License
  • American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Board Certified
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Animal Behavior, Animal Cognition, Ethology, Animal Training, Canine Behavior, Animal Psychology
Technical Skills: Autocad, Matlab, Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS, R
Soft Skills: Communication, Presentation Skills, Time Management, Teamwork, Leadership, Problem Solving

How to Write an Animal Behaviorist Resume

Here’s how to write an resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

When you’re writing bullet points, it can be tempting to focus on the responsibilities of your job or the tasks you performed. But that’s not enough to make a hiring manager take notice. Instead, you should focus on the results of your work and the impact it had on the organization.

For example, rather than saying you “conducted animal behavior assessments,” you could say you “conducted assessments of shelter animals to identify behavioral issues and recommend treatment plans to improve animal welfare.”

The second bullet point paints a much clearer picture of what the job entailed and how you contributed to the organization. And it also provides some quantifiable information about the number of animals you worked with and the number of assessments you conducted.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs look for certain terms related to the job opening in order to determine whether your experience is a match. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, the ATS might not forward your application to the hiring manager.

The best way to make sure your resume contains the right keywords is to read through the job posting and take note of the terms that are used most frequently. Chances are, they’ll be repeated throughout the job description. Then, when you’re writing your resume, you can use those same keywords to help get your application noticed.

  • Animal Behavior
  • Animal Care
  • Behavior Modification
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Behavior
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Working with Animals
  • Pet Care
  • Dog Training Classes
  • Pet Grooming
  • Animal Training
  • Animal Rescue
  • Veterinary Behavior
  • Dog Obedience
  • Behavior Management
  • Animal Training & Behavior
  • Dog Behavior Problems
  • Equine
  • Pet Adoption
  • Zoology
  • Working with Dogs
  • Husbandry
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation
  • Behavioral Consulting
  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Applied Behavioral Analysis
  • Behavioral Modification
  • Canine Behavior
  • Wildlife
  • Animal Training Instruction

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As an animal behaviorist, you rely on technology to help you study and understand animal behavior. That’s why it’s important to list your technical skills prominently on your resume. By doing so, you’ll show that you’re a valuable candidate who is familiar with the essential tools and systems used in your field.

Recruiters are looking for animal behaviorists who are proficient in specific programs and systems, such as observation and recording software, data analysis software, and motion capture software. They also want to see that you have experience with specific methodologies, such as behaviorism and learning theory. So be sure to list all of your relevant technical skills prominently on your resume.

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