Subject Matter Expert Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Subject Matter Expert resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Subject matter experts are the people who know more about their fields than anyone else. They’re the go-to resource for information on a particular topic—the person everyone turns to when they need help with research, writing, or just want to learn more.
Because subject matter experts have such a strong grasp on their fields, they’re often well suited to write books or contribute to blogs or magazines. And because they care deeply about what they do, they’re also great at teaching others.
If you’re looking to land a job working with what you know or are hoping to expand your resume with a new role that will allow you to share your expertise with others, you’ll need a strong subject matter expert resume to help you do it. Here are some tips and an example to help you write yours.
How to Write a Subject Matter Expert Resume
Here’s how to write a subject matter expert 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 make your bullet points much more interesting and compelling by using specific examples and quantifying your contributions.
For example, rather than saying you “managed customer accounts,” you could say that you “increased customer retention rate by 15% in six months by developing new customer loyalty program and implementing customer service training for frontline staff.”
Notice how the second bullet point is much more specific and provides more detail about what exactly you did and the results of your work.
Related: What Is a Subject Matter Expert? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a job, your resume is usually scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) that looks for certain keywords related to the position. If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right keywords, your application might not make it past the first round of cuts.
One way to make sure your resume makes it past the ATS is to include relevant keywords in each section of your resume. Here are some common subject matter expert keywords to get you started:
- Strategic Planning
- Information Technology
- Business Strategy
- Management
- Leadership
- Project Management
- Customer Service
- Business Analysis
- Marketing
- Marketing Strategy
- Project Planning
- Business Development
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Competitive Analysis
- Business Process Improvement
- Program Management
- Teaching
- Change Management
- Solution Architecture
- Cloud Computing
- Agile Methodologies
- Sales
- SQL
- Java
- Scrum
- Enterprise Software
- Microsoft Access
- Technical Support
- Team Leadership
- Program Development
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Subject matter experts (SMEs) are vital to the success of many organizations, as they are responsible for providing expert knowledge and guidance on their respective subjects. As an SME, it is important to highlight your technical skills on your resume, as this is one of the main things that sets you apart from other candidates.
Recruiters are looking for SMEs who are proficient in programs like Microsoft Office Suite, SAP, and Oracle. They also want to see that you have experience with specific systems and methodologies, such as Six Sigma and Agile. So be sure to list all of your relevant technical skills prominently on your resume.
Related: How Much Does a Subject Matter Expert Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Make Sure Your Resume Is Easy to Scan
There are a few things you can do to make your resume stand out, such as using a creative font, adding graphics, or using different colors. However, you should avoid using too much formatting variation, as it can make your resume difficult to read. Additionally, you should only use a maximum of two fonts and make sure they are both readable.
Be Concise
There is no one perfect length for a resume. However, a one-page resume is recommended for those with little work experience, while a two-page resume is more appropriate for those with more experience. When trimming down a resume, it is important to remove any irrelevant information and focus on the most relevant experience. In general, brevity is key when writing a resume.
Check Your Work
proofreading is essential for ensuring a mistake free resume
Use a Summary
Your resume is a critical document when it comes to job seeking, and one of the most important elements of your resume is the summary statement. A well-crafted summary statement can help to introduce you to potential employers, and can highlight the skills and experiences that make you the perfect candidate for the job. When writing your summary statement, be sure to emphasize your most relevant skills and experiences, and to clearly state your intentions. Keep it short and simple, and make sure that it accurately represents you and your goals.
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