Ombudsman Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Ombudsman resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
If you’re a natural problem solver who loves helping other people, you might be ready for a career as an ombudsman. An ombudsman is a neutral third party who investigates customer complaints and works to resolve disputes between parties. They’re often tasked with identifying patterns or trends in customer feedback and flagging issues that could negatively impact the company’s bottom line or reputation.
Because of the sensitive nature of their work, ombudsmen need to be extremely diplomatic and even-handed when dealing with difficult situations. They also need to be highly organized, detail-oriented, and great listeners who can distill complex issues into easy-to-digest information. And because ombudsmen often work with high-profile clients, they need to be able to maintain confidentiality at all times.
Here are some resume tips plus an example for inspiration when writing your own ombudsman resume.
How to Write an Ombudsman Resume
Here’s how to write an ombudsman resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. But rather than simply listing your responsibilities, you can use them to tell a story about how you contributed to the organization.
For example, rather than saying you “conducted investigations into complaints from members of the public,” you could say you “conducted investigations into complaints from members of the public regarding delays in receiving benefits and improper denials of claims, resulting in a 98% satisfaction rate among complainants.”
Notice how the second bullet point is more specific and provides more detail about the nature of the complaints and the outcome of the investigation.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
Many government agencies, like the Department of Defense, use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to manage the hiring process. This software scans your resume for specific keywords related to the job opening. If your resume doesn’t have enough relevant keywords, the ATS might disqualify you from further consideration.
One way to identify the right keywords is to read through a few job postings and take note of the words and phrases that are repeated most often. You can also try including some of these commonly used government ombudsman keywords on your resume:
- Customer Service
- Office Administration
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Time Management
- Social Media
- Research
- Data Entry
- Public Speaking
- Microsoft Access
- Customer Satisfaction
- Administrative Assistance
- Event Planning
- Phone Etiquette
- Human Resources (HR)
- Account Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Legal Research
- Human Resources (HR) Practice
- Organization Skills
- Community Outreach
- Public Policy
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Teaching
- Volunteer Management
- Project Management
- Coaching
- Strategic Planning
- Project Planning
- Program Management
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Ombudsmen need to be proficient in a variety of technology in order to effectively do their jobs. This might include familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, or courtroom presentation tools. Additionally, many law firms are now using social media platforms to market their services, and attorneys who are familiar with these platforms will be better equipped to take advantage of this growing trend.
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Make It Easy to Scan
There are a few things you can do to make your resume easier to read. First, use left-aligned text and a standard font type and size. Additionally, try to keep your bullets under 2 lines and list your experiences in paragraphs rather than bullets. Finally, include some white space on the page to help the recruiter easily scan through your resume.
Be Concise
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long a resume should be. However, it’s important to tailor your resume to the specific role and to focus on the most relevant information. In general, you want to be concise and get your point across quickly, so brevity is key. A one-page resume is typically the best option, but you can make a two-page resume if you have a lot of experience to include. Just be selective about the content that you include.
Proofread
Proofreading your resume is important to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spellcheck is a good place to start, but it is not foolproof. Be sure to read through your resume yourself, as well as have someone else do so. Pay attention to punctuation and grammar, and be consistent in your formatting. Watch out for easily confused words, such as their, there, and they’re.
Consider Including a Summary
A resume summary statement can be an extremely effective way to introduce yourself and your goals to potential employers. By highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences, you can show how you would be a valuable addition to their team. Additionally, a well-written summary can help to show how your past experience translates into the role you are applying for. When creating your summary, be sure to keep it brief and to the point, and make sure to target it to the specific role you are applying for.