We personalize your experience.

We use cookies in our website to ensure we give you the best experience, get to know our users and deliver better marketing. For this purpose, we may share the information collected with third parties. By clicking “Allow cookies” you give us your consent to use all cookies. If you prefer to manage your cookies click on the “Manage cookies” link below.

Manage Cookies

How to Write a Resident Assistant (RA) Resume in 2024

If you want to land a great resident assistant job you will need a resume that shows you are reliable, organized, and motivated. Here’s what you need to know.

Ho Lin Profile
By Ho Lin 3 minute read

Our customers have been hired by*:*Foot Note

Resident Assistant Resume Example

Resident Assistant Resume Example

What Should I Highlight in a Resident Assistant Resume

When writing your resident assistant resume, focus on the skills and abilities that will make you capable of helping students. Focus on communication, conflict resolution, time management and technical skills such as expertise with Microsoft Word and Excel. You should also make sure you’re using the right resume format. The three main resume formats are:

  • Chronological 
  • Functional
  • Hybrid

A chronological resume focuses on work experience, the functional format resumes focus on skills, and a hybrid resume format balances work experience and skills. Choosing the resume format that best matches your experience and skills is crucial. For example, if you have an extensive work history, a chronological resume will be your best option.

The Structure of a Resident Assistant Resume

When it comes time to write your resident assistant resume you should tailor the content to fit your qualifications with the job description. No matter what else you include, however, the best resume should have these sections:

1

Header

Your resume header should include your full name, phone number, and contact information. You can also include your LinkedIn profile.

2

Resume summary or objective

Under the header you should include either a resume summary or resume objective statement. A resume summary should be a summary of the skills and achievements that make you right for a resident assistant position. An objective statement, by contrast, should detail your career goals and intentions.

3

Skills section

Your skills section will be one of the most important parts of your resume, especially if you have limited experience. This section should hold 8 to 12 bullet points detailing relevant skills. Examples of relevant resident assistant skills include:

  • Writing incident reports
  • Crisis management
  • Knowledge of university policies
  • Mental health crisis intervention
  • Mediation
  • First aid
  • Critical thinking
Remember to list both hard skills (skills you’ve trained up on) and soft skills (interpersonal skills and personal traits), and focus on skills that demonstrate you can be a role model for students. Because you will likely be working in a residence hall, you will be expected to organize student move-ins, and collaborate in staff meetings. Such practical and interpersonal skills are important in helping maintain students’ well-being and residence halls.

4

Work history

Include up to 10 years of experience in this section and focus on relevant administrative duties, as well as responsibilities that prove your ability to manage people and resolve conflicts . Your resident advisor resume should reflect the value you bring to the table through specific details of your past experiences and achievements.

5

Education

Academic achievements can still be a great way to distinguish yourself from other job seekers. List your most recent, advanced educational achievements, as well as any associated courses or achievements that are relevant to the job.

Build my resume

Trusted by professionals

Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resident Assistant Resume

check sign Do:
  • Use a resume builder tool to ensure proper formatting.
  • Be specific about your achievements and use metrics to impress recruiters (e.g., “Managed residence hall of 200 students”).
  • Use active language like “Developed” rather than “Was responsible for.”
close sign Don't:
  • Use non-standard or unprofessional fonts. Stick to Sans Serif and default fonts like Arial and Calibri.
  • Forget to list volunteer work. As long as the activity shows off skills that are useful for resident assistant work, they’re useful to include on your resume.
  • Overcomplicate your resume with graphic design elements.

FAQ: Resident Assistant Resume

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Yes, you should always include a cover letter for any job application. Use this document as an opportunity to provide a hiring manager with extra information and context that could help you stand out. If you want to make a great impression, use a cover letter builder to match your cover letter and resume templates.

If you lack professional work experience, you should focus on the organizational and interpersonal skills that are required of a great resident assistant. You can also feature non-professional experiences in your resume, such as volunteer work or internship experience. Focus on any experiences you’ve had in educational settings.

When you want to apply for a different job, you should start by reading the job description and highlighting important skills and qualifications. If you meet these key requirements, note them in your professional resume. Mirror the language of the job posting and highlight transferable skills like problem-solving and leadership skills.

Couldn't find the answer you're looking for?

You can always contact us.

Ho Lin Profile
WRITTEN BY Ho Lin

Ho Lin is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and editor with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and his background includes experience aiding military veterans as they transition to civilian careers.

right resume

Pair your resume with a matching cover letter