What I learned is that your resume doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to tell your story in a way that shows you’re serious about this work and ready to grow. If you’re trying to figure out how to build a strong resume without years of EM experience, here’s what’s worked for me and what I wish someone had told me earlier.
Start With What You
Do Have
I didn’t come from a long line of emergency managers. But I did have experience leading teams, managing logistics, training people, and responding in high pressure situations. If you’ve worked in healthcare, education, public safety, the military, or even community organizing, you have relevant skills.
Ask yourself:
- Have I ever had to think fast under pressure?
- Have I supported people in a crisis?
- Have I helped plan events, manage teams, or communicate important information?
If the answer is yes, you’re already working in the spirit of emergency management. Your resume should reflect that.
Format Matters
Before anyone reads your resume, they see it. A clean, clear format goes a long way in making a strong first impression. Here’s what I’ve found works best:
- Use a professional font like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia, size 10 to 12
- Stick to a one to two page resume if you have less than 10 years of relevant experience
- Use bold for section headers and job titles to create hierarchy
- Keep margins consistent and use bullet points to break up text
- Save and send your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting
Also, unless you’re applying internationally or the job explicitly asks for one, do not include a photo on your resume. In the U.S., it’s actually discouraged, and for good reason — it helps reduce bias and keeps the focus on your qualifications. Let your experience, skills, and training do the talking.
Focus on Relevant Trainings and Certifications
One of the first things I did when I got serious about emergency management was dive into free FEMA courses like IS 100, IS 700, and others through the Emergency Management Institute. I also earned CPR and First Aid certifications. These helped me build foundational knowledge and showed I was taking the field seriously.
But here’s what I’ve learned since then: you don’t need to list every certificate you’ve ever earned. Focus on the ones that actually support the role you’re applying for.
That means:
- FEMA IS courses like IS 100, IS 200, IS 700, and IS 800
- CPR, First Aid, or Stop the Bleed certifications
- Courses on hazmat awareness, crisis communication, disaster planning, or continuity of operations
Skip anything that isn’t directly related to emergency management or doesn’t support the specific job description. Listing too many unrelated trainings can clutter your resume and distract from the qualifications that matter most.
If you’ve completed additional courses you’re proud of, consider adding them to your LinkedIn profile or keeping a separate document you can offer if asked.
Tailor It Every Time
I used to send out the same resume for every job and wondered why I didn’t hear back. Once I started tailoring it to each role, everything changed. Read the job description and speak their language. If they mention continuity planning and you've ever helped draft a policy or process, even outside of emergency management, include that. If they mention ICS, highlight any related training you’ve taken or simulations you’ve been a part of.
Your goal is to connect the dots between what they need and what you’ve done.
Keep a Master Resume Too
I keep a general master resume saved that includes everything: my full work history, all my certifications, trainings, and accomplishments. Then I pull from that to create job specific versions. It saves a lot of time and keeps me from forgetting the smaller wins that still matter.
Should You Pay Someone to Write Your Resume?
Pros:
- A pro can help translate your experience into emergency management language
- They’ll format it cleanly and make sure it passes through resume scanning software
- It saves you stress if writing isn’t your thing
Cons:
- It can be pricey, especially if you're early in your career
- Many resume writers don’t understand the emergency management field. They might miss key terminology, agency specific expectations, or how to position your training and response experience effectively
- You’ll still need to tailor it for each job, which means editing it yourself anyway
- It won’t teach you how to confidently speak to your experience in interviews
If you do hire someone, look for folks who specialize in government, public safety, or emergency management resumes specifically. Just make sure you’re involved in the process so it still sounds like you.
About References
Don’t list references directly on your resume. Keep them on a separate document and only share them when requested. I usually just write “References available upon request” at the bottom, though that's optional now.
How Often Should You Update It?
Treat your resume like a living document. I update mine every few months, especially after I complete a training or work on a new project. It’s easy to forget the details later, so I try to capture them while they’re still fresh.
Can You Update Your Resume While Working Another Job?
Yes, and you should. Whether you're in a related field or transitioning from something else, keeping your resume current helps you stay ready when opportunities pop up. Every training, volunteer effort, or project you contribute to adds value and it’s much easier to document that progress as it happens than to try to remember it later.
Resume vs. CV
If you’re wondering about the difference between a resume and a CV, here’s the simple version:
A resume is short and focused — usually one or two pages — tailored to a specific job. That’s what most emergency management positions ask for.
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is longer and more detailed, mainly used in academic, research, or international settings. Unless the job posting specifically asks for a CV, stick with a resume in emergency management, especially in the U.S.
Final Thought
Getting into emergency management isn’t about having a flawless background — it’s about showing that you’re committed, coachable, and capable. Your resume doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to reflect who you are, what you bring, and where you're headed.
If you're trying to figure this out, you're not alone. I’ve been there. And if this helped you, share it with someone else who’s trying to break into the field too. We need more people like you in this work.
