Zookeeper Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Zookeeper resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Zoo keepers are responsible for the day-to-day care of animals in zoos, aquariums, conservation centers, and other facilities. They provide food, water, and medical attention to their charges, as well as oversee their housing, exercise, and enrichment.
If you love working with animals and have experience working with them in some capacity, then you might be ready to make the jump into this career. But before you do, it’s important to craft a strong zookeeper resume that will impress hiring managers. Here are some tips to follow plus an example resume to look at when writing yours.
How to Write a Zookeeper Resume
Here’s how to write a zookeeper resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most common way to showcase your experience on a resume, but they don’t have to be boring or generic. You can use them to tell a story about your work and the impact you’ve had on an organization.
For example, rather than saying you “managed animal care staff,” you could say you “managed animal care staff to reduce euthanasia rate by 15% in six months, resulting in $1 million savings for organization.”
The second bullet point is much more interesting and provides a clear sense of the project’s scope and your role in it. It also provides a quantifiable result—something recruiters love to see!
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
Most zookeeper resume keywords are related to the duties of a zookeeper, such as animal care, training, and management. But you can also use relevant keywords to help your resume get noticed by an applicant tracking system (ATS).
To help you get started, we’ve listed some common zookeeper resume keywords below:
- Zoology
- Wildlife Conservation
- Animal Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Wildlife
- Wildlife Management
- Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Captive Wildlife
- Veterinary Technology
- Aquariums
- Animal Welfare
- Husbandry
- Veterinary Nursing
- Environmental Conservation
- Conservation
- Animal Behavior
- Animal Handling
- Aquatic Animals
- Herpetology
- Fish
- Public Speaking
- Teaching
- Customer Service
- Microsoft Access
- Organization Skills
- Teamwork
- Event Planning
- Time Management
- Communication
- Leadership
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a zookeeper, you will need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and systems in order to effectively do your job. This might include programs like Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. Additionally, you will need to be familiar with specific software programs relevant to your field, such as Zookeeper Management System (ZMS) and ZooKeeper Data Management System (ZDMS). Being able to list your level of expertise in each area will show that you’re a valuable asset to any zoo.