As a speech pathologist, one specific resume challenge you might encounter is effectively showcasing your diverse range of clinical experiences and specialties on a limited page space. Our comprehensive guide can help you strategically tailor your content and layout to highlight your qualifications while keeping your resume concise and impactful.
- Sample industry-leading examples to learn how to write your best resume yet.
- Improve the experience, education, and achievements section of your resume with insights from resume-writing professionals.
- Curate your technical expertise and personality to stand out amongst the pool of candidates.
- Succinctly focus on your unique skill set all through your speech pathologist resume.
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Best practices for the look and feel of your speech pathologist resume
Before you even start writing your speech pathologist resume, first you need to consider its layout and format.
What's important to keep in mind is:
- The reverse-chronological resume is the most widely used format to present your experience, starting with your latest job.
- Your speech pathologist resume header needs to include your correct, professional contact details. If you happen to have a professional portfolio or an updated LinkedIn profile, include a link to it.
- Ensure your resume is no longer than two pages - you don't have to include irelevant experience on your resume just to make it look longer.
- Unless specified otherwise, submit your resume in the most popular format, the PDF one, as this will ensure your speech pathologist resume isn't altered.
Adjust your resume layout based on the market – Canadian resumes, for example, may follow a unique format.
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PRO TIP
The more time and effort you've put into obtaining the relevant certificate, the closer to the top it should be listed. This is especially important for more senior roles and if the company you're applying for is more forward-facing.
Essential sections that should make up your speech pathologist resume include:
- The header - with your contact details (e.g. email and telephone number), link to your portfolio, and headline
- The summary (or objective) - to spotlight the peaks of your professional career, so far
- The experience section - with up to six bullets per role to detail specific outcomes
- The skills list - to provide a healthy mix between your personal and professional talents
- The education and certification - showing your most relevant degrees and certificates to the speech pathologist role
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institution
- Clinical competence certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and a current Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
- State licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist
- Hands-on experience with various populations including pediatric and adult clients, and familiarity with a range of disorders and conditions such as aphasia, voice disorders, and dysarthria
- Proficiency in conducting assessments and utilizing evidence-based therapy techniques, as well as the ability to create and implement individualized care plans
Quick formula for writing your speech pathologist resume experience section
Have you ever wondered why recruiters care about your speech pathologist expertise?
For starters, your past roles show that you've obtained the relevant on-the job training and expertise that'd be useful for the role.
What is more, the resume work experience section isn't just your work history , but:
- shows what you're capable of achieving based on your past success;
- proves your skills with (oftentimes, tangible) achievements;
- highlights the unique value of what it's like to work with you.
To ensure your resume work experience section is as effective as possible, follow this formula:
- start each bullet with a powerful, action verb , followed up by your responsibilities, and your workplace success.
The more details you can include - that are relevant to the job and linked with your skill set - the more likely you are to catch recruiters' attention.
Additionally, you can also scan the job advert for key requirements or buzzwords , which you can quantify across your experience section.
Not sure what we mean by this? Take inspiration from the speech pathologist resume experience sections below:
- Designed and implemented individualized treatment plans for speech and language disorders for over 50 clients, improving communication skills by 40% on average.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments, resulting in the identification of previously undiagnosed conditions in 15% of cases, leading to tailored treatment plans.
- Collaborated with educational professionals to integrate speech therapy goals into student learning plans, enhancing the academic success rate by 25% for those students.
- Pioneered the development and utilization of new therapy technology, which increased patient engagement by 20%.
- Supervised a team of 5 speech-language pathology assistants, providing training that improved department efficiency by 15%.
- Formulated and executed early intervention programs for toddlers with speech delays, leading to a 30% improvement in speech milestones.
- Managed a caseload of 70+ patients per week, consistently achieving over 90% satisfaction rate based on patient feedback.
- Crafted specialized therapy plans for stroke survivors, which significantly enhanced their recovery rate and quality of life.
- Co-authored a research paper on innovative speech therapy techniques, which was published in a national speech pathology journal and cited by peers in the field.
- Utilized alternative communication devices to assist non-verbal patients, leading to a breakthrough in patient interaction and a 50% increase in non-verbal patient communication.
- Presented at 5 national conferences on the efficacy of integrative speech therapy programs, contributing to industry best practices.
- Established a community outreach program to provide free screenings, benefiting over 200 individuals with limited access to healthcare.
- Facilitated daily therapy sessions with children diagnosed with autism, which resulted in a 60% improvement in expressive language skills.
- Authored a therapy manual for parents that was adopted by the clinic as a resource, enhancing the effectiveness of home practice.
- Led weekly workshops for speech therapy students, imparting practical skills that complemented their academic knowledge.
- Spearheaded a new multisensory approach to speech therapy, increasing patient responsiveness by 35% compared to traditional methods.
- Conducted in-depth linguistic research to better understand the patterns of speech disorders in bilingual children, enhancing therapy customization.
- Initiated partnerships with local schools to implement speech improvement programs, serving over 500 students and improving average speech proficiency by 22%.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary therapy sessions for patients with complex communication needs, fostering a more holistic treatment approach.
- Provided expert testimony on communication disorders in legal cases, influencing court decisions in favor of patients requiring speech therapy services.
- Initiated and managed the transition to teletherapy services during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining uninterrupted patient care and expanding service reach by 18%.
- Implemented voice therapy for professional singers and actors, helping 95% of clients achieve desired vocal performance.
- Launched a department-wide data analysis project to track patient progress, resulting in a 20% increase in therapy success rate.
- Developed a mentorship program for newly-qualified speech pathologists, enhancing team proficiency and decreasing onboarding time by 50%.
- Led a specialized team in providing dysphagia therapy, improving swallowing function in 90% of patients and reducing the incidence of aspiration pneumonia.
- Streamlined documentation processes with new software, cutting down report writing time by 30% while improving record accuracy.
- Developed a comprehensive training module on accent modification, widely used by clients seeking to enhance their communication skills in the workplace.
- Introduced an evidence-based approach to aphasia treatment, significantly boosting patient recovery times and satisfaction.
- Cultivated a network of referral sources including ENTs, neurologists, and pediatricians, increasing new patient acquisition by 30%.
- Routinely conducted training sessions for support staff, leading to an overall improvement in clinic efficiency and patient flow.
The following content includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top responsibilities present on the task lists for speech pathologist professionals.
Top Responsibilities for Speech Pathologist:
- Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
- Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
- Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
- Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
- Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
- Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
- Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
- Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.
- Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Include the number of clients you've actively managed or treated to showcase your experience with diverse cases.
- List the percentage improvement in patient speech or language abilities to demonstrate successful outcomes.
- Specify the increase in patient satisfaction scores if available, to highlight positive feedback and quality of care.
- State the size of the team you’ve led or collaborated with, to show your capability in team-oriented settings.
- Mention any growth in caseload or patient base achieved under your direction, reflecting your contribution to business expansion.
- Quantify the number of professional development hours or continuing education credits you've completed to exhibit your commitment to staying up-to-date.
- Highlight any reduction in therapy session cancellations or no-shows due to strategies you implemented, indicating your efficiency in patient management.
- Outline the amount of revenue generated or budget managed, if applicable, linking your role to financial success of the practice.
Action verbs for your speech pathologist resume
Experience section for candidates with zero-to-none experience
While you may have less professional experience in the field, that doesn't mean you should leave this section of your resume empty or blank.
Consider these four strategies on how to substitute the lack of experience with:
- Volunteer roles - as part of the community, you've probably gained valuable people (and sometimes even technological capabilities) that could answer the job requirements
- Research projects - while in your university days, you may have been part of some cutting-edge project to benefit the field. Curate this within your experience section as a substitute for real-world experience
- Internships - while you may consider that that summer internship in New York was solely mandatory to your degree, make sure to include it as part of your experience, if it's relevant to the role
- Irrelevant previous jobs - instead of detailing the technologies you've learned, think about the transferable skills you've gained.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.
Key hard skills and soft skills for your speech pathologist resume
At the top of any recruiter speech pathologist checklist, you'd discover a list of technical competencies, balanced with personal skills.
Hard or technical skills are your opportunity to show how you meet the essential responsibilities of the role. The ability to use a particular job-crucial technology or software would also hint to recruiters whether you'd need a prolonged period of on-the-job training - or you'd fit right in the job.
But to land your dream role, you'd also need to demonstrate a variety of soft or people resume skills . Employers care about soft skills as they show how each candidate would fit into the team and company culture.
Both types of skills are specific and to best curate them on your resume, you'd need to:
- Create a skill section within which you showcase your hard and soft skills and present how they help you succeed.
- List specific examples of projects, tasks, or competitions, within which your skill set has assisted your results.
- Soft skills are harder to measure, so think about situations in which they've helped you thrive. Describe those situations concisely, focusing on how the outcome has helped you grow as a professional.
- Metrics of success - like positive ROI or optimized workplace processes - are the best way to prove your technical and people skills.
Take a look at some of speech pathologist industry leaders' favorite hard skills and soft skills, as listed on their resumes.
Top skills for your speech pathologist resume:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices
Speech-Language Assessment Tools
Voice Analysis Software
Swallowing Assessment Tools
Telepractice Platforms
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems
Phonetic Analysis Software
Language Development Apps
Video Conferencing Tools
Diagnostic Testing Equipment
Empathy
Communication Skills
Patience
Critical Thinking
Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Cultural Competence
Active Listening
Motivational Skills
Next, you will find information on the top technologies for speech pathologist professonals from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Top technologies for Speech Pathologist’s resume:
- Biofeedback software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Tadpoles
- Avaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSRE
- Language analysis software
PRO TIP
The more time and effort you've put into obtaining the relevant certificate, the closer to the top it should be listed. This is especially important for more senior roles and if the company you're applying for is more forward-facing.
What are the best certificates to add to your speech pathologist resume + how to curate your education section
The education and certification resume sections are the underdogs of your speech pathologist resume.
They showcase to recruiters that you've invested plenty of time to gain valuable and specific know-how, vital for growth.
As far as the resume education section is concerned:
- Detail only advanced education, specifying the institution and timeframe.
- Indicate your forthcoming graduation date if you're in the midst of your studies.
- Consider omitting degrees that don't align with the job's requirements.
- Offer a description of your academic journey if it underscores your notable achievements.
When curating your degrees and certificates on your speech pathologist resume:
- Select only accreditation that matters to the role
- Niche knowledge that could help you stand out as a candidate (as is within the past few years), should be listed towards the top of your resume
- Include any pertinent data for credibility (e.g. institute name, graduation dates, etc.)
- Irrelevant degrees and certifications shouldn't make it on your resume. Those include your high school diploma and any specializations that have nothing to do with the technical or soft skills that are required for the job
As a final note, if you feel tempted to exclude your education or certification from your resume, don't.
These two sections could help you have a better competitive edge over other candidates - hinting that your professional journey in the industry may be for a longer period of time.
Recruiters find all of these speech pathologist credentials impressive:
The top 5 certifications for your speech pathologist resume:
- Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) - State Licensure Boards (varies by state)
- Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) - American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
- Board Certified Specialist in Child Language and Language Disorders (BCS-CL) - American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders
- Board Certified Specialist in Fluency and Fluency Disorders (BCS-F) - American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders
The content below includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top associations for speech pathologist professionals.
Top US associations for a Speech Pathologist professional
- Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Council for Exceptional Children
- International Literacy Association
PRO TIP
Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.
Recommended reads:
Should you write a resume summary or an objective?
No need to research social media or ask ChatGPT to find out if the summary or objective is right for your speech pathologist resume.
- Experienced candidates always tend to go for resume summaries. The summary is a three to five sentence long paragraph that narrates your career highlights and aligns your experience to the role. In it you can add your top skills and career achievements that are most impressive.
- Junior professionals or those making a career change, should write a resume objective. These shouldn't be longer than five sentences and should detail your career goals . Basically, how you see yourself growing in the current position and how would your experience or skill set could help out your potential employers.
Think of both the resume summary and objective as your opportunity to put your best foot forward - from the get go - answering job requirements with skills.
Use the below real-world speech pathologist professional statements as inspiration for writing your resume summary or objective.
Resume summaries for a speech pathologist job
- With over 8 years of dedicated experience in pediatric speech pathology, a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology, and a proven record of enhancing communication abilities in children with diverse needs, I have greatly improved patient outcomes through innovative therapy techniques at a well-established private clinic in Seattle.
- Seasoned linguist with a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and 12 years of language teaching expertise, I have decided to transition into speech pathology. Bringing a robust understanding of phonetics and language acquisition, I am eager to apply my analytical and compassionate approach to support speech-impaired individuals.
- As a compassionate healthcare professional with 15 years of nursing experience and a heart for helping others communicate, I am pursuing a new avenue in speech pathology. My extensive medical background and strong interpersonal skills equip me to make a meaningful difference in patient lives within this new specialization.
- A recent magna cum laude graduate in psychology, eager to embark on a career in speech pathology, aiming to leverage my in-depth understanding of human behavior and cognitive processes to help clients overcome speech and communication challenges in a clinic renowned for its patient-centered approach.
- Eager to bring my passion for language and child development to the speech pathology field, I’m committed to acquiring the necessary clinical experience through hands-on training. My ultimate objective is to utilize my robust background in educational psychology to craft impactful communication strategies for diverse client populations.
- With a freshly minted Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders and an unwavering zeal to make a difference in people's lives, my goal is to immerse myself in a clinical environment that fosters learning and professional growth in speech pathology, with a focus on innovative, evidence-based therapy methods.
Average salary info by state in the US for speech pathologist professionals
Local salary info for Speech Pathologist.” Source: My Next Move, National Center for O*NET Development. Accessed 10/15/2024
| State | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| US National Average | $89,290 |
| California (CA) | $109,470 |
| Texas (TX) | $86,460 |
| Florida (FL) | $95,850 |
| New York (NY) | $94,350 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | $87,650 |
| Illinois (IL) | $84,580 |
| Ohio (OH) | $86,560 |
| Georgia (GA) | $85,120 |
| North Carolina (NC) | $80,680 |
| Michigan (MI) | $82,250 |
Other speech pathologist resume sections to support your expertise and skills
Recruiters are always on the lookout for that speech pathologist candidate who brings about even more value to the role.
This can be either via their personality or additional accreditations they have across the industry.
Add to your resume any of the four sections that fit your profile:
- Projects for your most impressive, cutting-edge work;
- Awards or recognitions that matter the most;
- Publications further building up your professional portfolio and accreditations;
- Hobbies and interests to feature the literature you read, how you spend your time outside of work, and other personality traits you deem may help you stand out .
Key takeaways
- The logic of your resume presentation should follow your career highlights and alignment with the role;
- Curate information within different sections (e.g. summary, experience, etc.) that helps highlight your strengths;
- Exclude from your resume irrelevant experience items - that way you'd ensure it stays no longer than two pages and is easy to read;
- Dedicate space within the summary, experience, and/or achievements to highlight precisely why you're the best candidate for the role via your previous success;
- Both your technical and people capabilities should also play a crucial role in building up your speech pathologist application. Prove your skill set in various resume sections.
