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Archivist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical archivist skills. We ranked the top skills for archivists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 14.7% of archivist resumes contained archival collections as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an archivist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 archivist skills for your resume and career

1. Archival Collections

Archival Collections are kept by libraries, government bodies, museums, or generational families that have accumulated old records and documents over the years. These collections can be instrumental in various purposes, including legal cases, scientific experiments, historical research, religious inquiries, etc. The records are usually kept under supervision all the time, and access is only provided at an appeal or request. Sometimes these records are denied access to due to the sensitive information they contain. The Vatican Secret Archives is a famous example of an archive that comprises religious and legal documents undisclosed.

Here's how archivists use archival collections:
  • Initialized criteria for digitization of various items from the archival collections, including database and web design protocols.
  • 1999Developed uniform cataloging system for archival collections and assisted archival researchers

2. Online Database

Here's how archivists use online database:
  • Enter identified media into online database.
  • Converted manual card catalog to online database system.

3. Archival Materials

Here's how archivists use archival materials:
  • Organized, identified, and designated confidential institutional records, manuscripts, and miscellaneous items as possible archival materials.
  • Participated in research activities based on archival materials, and directed safekeeping of archival documents and materials.

4. Reference Services

A reference service іѕ an іntеgrаl раrt of any lіbrаrу, the аіm of whісh іѕ tо educate users on hоw tо uѕе reference mаtеrіаlѕ to hеlр thеm gеt factual іnfоrmаtіоn іn the best роѕѕіblе way аnd аt the right tіmе. Thе rеfеrrаl ѕеrvісе hаndlеѕ rеԛuеѕtѕ аnd аѕѕіѕtѕ uѕеrѕ fіnd, ассеѕѕ, аnd uѕе thе rеԛuіrеd information to mееt thеіr nееdѕ.

Here's how archivists use reference services:
  • Provided reference service to historical, genealogical, and other researchers.
  • Arranged, described and provided reference services on archival photographs

5. Archival Research

Archival research refers to the process of locating and studying old records for personal interest, evidence for a case, or any other purpose. It gives us factual data which can confirm or aid our enquiries. The findings can be highly influential in researching science, religion, history, law and more.

Here's how archivists use archival research:
  • Provide in-office archival research for documentation of historic properties, assist the Executive Director in all matters as required
  • Prepared record-keeping systems and procedures for archival research and for the data retention.

6. Manuscript Collections

Here's how archivists use manuscript collections:
  • Coordinated and oversaw accessioning and processing of university records and manuscript collections.
  • Solicited and processed private manuscript collections, oral histories and photographs.

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7. Cataloging

Here's how archivists use cataloging:
  • Developed and implemented a cataloging system, supervised three interns, assisted in gallery operations, correspondence, and exhibitions.
  • Directed activities of workers engaged in cataloging and safekeeping of valuable materials and directed disposition of worthless materials.

8. News Articles

Here's how archivists use news articles:
  • Collected and archived news articles relative to Winthrop University.
  • Archive news articles pertaining to Libya, cross-posted from online sources, eyewitness accounts, and established news sources.

9. Collection Development

Collection development is the systematic and economical creation and evaluation of a library's inventory to meet the information needs of library users in a timely and cost-effective manner, using local information resources as well as resources from other organizations. Its purpose is to aid the mission of the library and involves both selecting and deselecting library resources. The library collection also includes general information resources to assist in a learning environment in subjects not covered in the classroom.

Here's how archivists use collection development:
  • Identified and evaluated historic materials for collection development; brought potentials items to department heads' attention.
  • Assessed processed materials to determine relevance based on college archive's mission statement and collection development policies.

10. Historical Research

Here's how archivists use historical research:
  • Researched collections for public, educators, students, and filmmakers, and historical researchers.
  • Responded to historical research requests from executives and other staff.

11. Adobe Photoshop

Here's how archivists use adobe photoshop:
  • Updated and maintained celebrity data and photographs with Nikon photo-scanner program using Adobe Photoshop.
  • Use of (but not limited to) Epson professional scanners and Adobe Photoshop on Windows and MacOSX.

12. Digitizing

Here's how archivists use digitizing:
  • Developed and maintained digitizing framework for articles.
  • Manage, assess importance to Oklahoma history, and coordinate through careful collaborations the digitizing of the entire collection.

13. PDF

PDF, which stands for Portable Document Format, enables one to open a document on any operating system-OS without using the app that created it while maintaining the same layout. You only need to have the PDF reader to view a PDF document.

Here's how archivists use pdf:
  • Posted and provided version control, editing, storage, and rendering of PDF files for review.
  • Combined and converted images into PDF format; label and save into client-assigned folders.

14. Digital Preservation

Here's how archivists use digital preservation:
  • Conducted conservation and digital preservation of documents and media.
  • Managed digital preservation projects for individual items and collections.

15. Research Assistance

Research assistance means helping in private/academic research.

Here's how archivists use research assistance:
  • Provide records management and research assistance to employees, including senior executives and historians.
  • Provided research assistance to archive patrons.
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List of archivist skills to add to your resume

Archivist skills

The most important skills for an archivist resume and required skills for an archivist to have include:

  • Archival Collections
  • Online Database
  • Archival Materials
  • Reference Services
  • Archival Research
  • Manuscript Collections
  • Cataloging
  • News Articles
  • Collection Development
  • Historical Research
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Digitizing
  • PDF
  • Digital Preservation
  • Research Assistance
  • Toolkit
  • Digital Library
  • Rare Books
  • Reference Assistance
  • EAD
  • Marc
  • FDA
  • Government Agencies
  • Digital Archive
  • GLP
  • Oral History
  • Linear Feet
  • HTML
  • Digital Format
  • Contentdm
  • DVDs
  • Nara
  • Classification System
  • Press Releases
  • YouTube
  • SharePoint
  • Historical Materials
  • PowerPoint
  • Digital Images
  • Computer Database
  • Fine Arts
  • Clips
  • Access Database
  • Digital Database
  • External Clients
  • Archon
  • Costumes

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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