Assistant Psychologist CV example

An Assistant Psychologist CV isn’t just a list of qualifications – it’s a chance to show your readiness to support mental health professionals, work sensitively with clients, and contribute meaningfully to clinical or research settings.

This guide will help with writing a CV to organise your experience and credentials clearly, so recruiters can see your potential from the first glance. Whether you’re aiming for NHS placements, private clinics, or research posts, your CV will show that you’re already thinking like a future psychologist.

Just like a good assessment report, your CV needs to be structured, focused, and easy to interpret. Hiring managers want to quickly understand your academic training and clinical exposure – so present it in a clear and logical order which doesn’t force them to navigate through mess and mistakes.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Display your name and contact details clearly at the top; a photo is optional.
• Profile – Write a short, focused summary of your psychology experience, areas of interest, and career goals.
• Core skills – Highlight relevant skills such as data analysis, client communication, behavioural observation, or report writing.
• Work experience – Detail any clinical placements, voluntary roles, or research assistance, listed from most recent to earliest.
• Education & certifications – Include your academic background in psychology and any additional training or CPD.
• Additional info – Optionally list publications, hobbies, software proficiency (e.g. SPSS), or relevant awards.

You wouldn’t submit a report full of jargon and no formatting – so don’t send a CV like that either. Aim for a clean, professional format and keep your CV to a maximum length of two pages – save any more for the cover letter. Stick to a clean and readable font, making full use of bullet points to break down large blocks of text.

This is your chance to summarise your interest in psychology and the experience that’s prepared you for an Assistant Psychologist role. It should convey a mix of academic knowledge, hands-on involvement, and enthusiasm for progressing in the field. Tailor your CV profile precisely to the role you’re applying for, to best reassure recruiters that you’re the candidate they should trust.

Candidates with little to no experience should go for a longer personal statement, which allows for greater detail and focuses more on your ambition.

Here’s some tips on what to include:

• Academic background – Mention your psychology degree and any postgraduate study.
• Clinical exposure – Refer to experience with mental health services, therapy sessions, or patient interactions.
• Research knowledge – Include areas of interest or past involvement in data collection or analysis.
• Career goals – Briefly mention your aspiration to progress into psychology or related fields, showing long-term commitment.
• Strengths – Highlight interpersonal skills, organisation, discretion, or an understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality.

Your CV skills section should quickly reassure employers that you’re well-versed in the day-to-day demands of supporting psychological professionals. Focus on relevant, applied skills, both academic and interpersonal.

Recruiters want skills, not soft affirmations: so tailor your list to the role and avoid vague or generic abilities – keep it focused and relevant to academic or therapeutic work.

Psychology is a highly academic field, so this section will carry significant weight. Clearly present your degrees, training, and ongoing learning in reverse chronological order.

Include your psychology degree (preferably BPS-accredited), along with any relevant postgraduate study or short courses in areas like CBT, safeguarding, or research methods. If you’re working toward further qualifications, mention them too, and expand on any relevant modules which have especially instilled important skills.

Example education sections

What to include in your education section

For each qualification, add the following info:

• Qualification & organisation – Say what you studied and where you completed the course.
• Dates studied – Give the start and finish dates of each certification.
• Extra details – Go into more depth on specific courses or individual modules, emphasising the skills and the experience you gained which equip you for the jobs you’re applying for.

Your work experience is crucial for showing that you can put theory into practice. Whether you’ve completed an NHS placement, supported a clinical study, or volunteered with vulnerable groups, use this space to show your exposure to real-world psychological settings.

Show that you can do more than observe – demonstrate your ability to work with clients and contribute to team outcomes, starting with your most recent or relevant experience and working backward. If you lack direct psychology experience, include transferable experience from care, education, or support work.

• Outline – Briefly describe the employer or organisation and your role within it.
• Responsibilities – Detail your main tasks, such as conducting observations, writing notes, or supporting interventions. Use power words like “observed,” “assisted,” and “collated.”
• Achievements – Highlight contributions to research, service improvement, or patient support. Where possible, refer to positive feedback or outcomes.

For aspiring assistant psychologists, the Additional Information section can offer insight into your interpersonal skills, emotional awareness, and genuine interest in psychological practice.

When experience is limited, this section helps you stand out by showcasing personal qualities, relevant interests, and self-initiated learning that align with clinical and research work.

Good additional info for Assistant Psychologist

Additional info example