5 Amazing chaplain Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

You may have that calling to become a spiritual guide for those in hospitals, nursing homes, and the military, but even with this passion, it is hard to secure any job without a professionally designed chaplain resume. Recruiters are looking for candidates who have long demonstrated their desire to help others find spiritual support. Your resume is the perfect place for you to highlight your background in theology and counseling, certification in Clinical Pastoral Education (if working in a hospital), and ordination by a religious group. These qualifications will help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting an interview. If you need professional advice, we offer writing tips and a resume example that can help you determine how to design and format this important document. With the right help, you can be on your way to offering spiritual support to those in need of guidance.

Build your resume in 15 minutes

Give yourself the best chance of standing out from the competition!

Create an awesome resume that meets the expectations of potential employers with our selection of professional, field-tested resume templates.

START YOUR RESUME NOW

chaplain: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Employment history

Lead Chaplain, Goodwill Industries International Rockville, Maryland

May 2022 – Present

Participate in fundraising and public relations activities
Develop and implement spiritual education programs
Develop and implement programs to meet the spiritual needs of clients

Chaplain, The Salvation Army New York, New York

November 2021 – April 2022

Facilitate spiritual growth and development
Participate in fundraising and public relations activities
Develop and maintain relationships with community clergy and faith-based organizations

Entry Level Chaplain, Feeding America Chicago, Illinois

November 2020 – October 2021

Lead spiritual services and provide spiritual guidance and counseling
Offer support and spiritual guidance in times of crisis
Assist clients in understanding and integrating their faith into their daily lives

Education

University of Texas, Austin, Texas

Certified Nonprofit Leadership Professional, September, 2020

Skills

Quality Assurance

Written Communication

Project Management

Collaboration

Program Administration

Compassion

Budget Management

Strategic Planning.

Do you already have a resume? Use our PDF converter and edit your resume.

Build My Resume

Professional Summary

Highly experienced Chaplain with a passion for serving the needs of vulnerable populations. Dedicated to providing compassionate spiritual and emotional care to those in need.

Employment history

Lead Chaplain, Goodwill Industries International Rockville, Maryland

December 2013 – Present

Facilitate spiritual growth and development
Develop and implement programs to meet the spiritual needs of clients
Participate in multidisciplinary teams to support clients

Associate Chaplain, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Rye Brook, New York

June 2013 – November 2013

Offer support and spiritual guidance in times of crisis
Lead spiritual services and provide spiritual guidance and counseling
Develop and implement spiritual education programs

Junior Chaplain, Goodwill Industries International Rockville, Maryland

December 2011 – May 2013

Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations and faith-based organizations
Provide spiritual counseling and guidance to staff
Provide spiritual support and resources to staff

Education

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Doctor of Science in Nonprofit Management, October, 2011

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, October, 2007

Skills

Customer Service

Data Analysis

Documentation

Training

Budget Management

Fundraising

Grant Writing

Collaboration

Build My Resume

Employment history

Senior Chaplain, Catholic Charities USA Alexandria, Virginia

October 2021 – Present

Develop and maintain relationships with community clergy and faith-based organizations
Provide spiritual counseling and guidance to staff
Facilitate spiritual growth and development

Chaplain, Boys & Girls Clubs of America Atlanta, Georgia

April 2020 – September 2021

Assist clients in understanding and integrating their faith into their daily lives
Develop and implement programs to meet the spiritual needs of clients
Develop and implement spiritual education programs

Junior Chaplain, Habitat for Humanity Americus, Georgia

October 2019 – March 2020

Provide spiritual support and resources to staff
Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations and faith-based organizations
Participate in multidisciplinary teams to support clients

Education

University of California, Berkeley, California

Master of Arts in International Development, August, 2019

University of California, Berkeley, California

Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, August, 2015

Skills

Negotiation

Adaptability

Project Management

Organizational Skills

Cultural Sensitivity

Volunteer Management

Public Relations

Build My Resume

Professional Summary

Highly experienced Chaplain with a passion for helping others through spiritual guidance and emotional support. Dedicated to providing compassionate care to those in need within the charity and non-profit sector.

Employment history

Lead Chaplain, The Salvation Army New York, New York

April 2011 – Present

Develop and implement programs to meet the spiritual needs of clients
Provide spiritual counseling and guidance to staff
Maintain client records and documentation

Chaplain, The Salvation Army New York, New York

October 2009 – March 2011

Assist clients in understanding and integrating their faith into their daily lives
Develop and implement programs to meet the spiritual needs of clients
Provide spiritual support and resources to staff

Entry Level Chaplain, The Salvation Army New York, New York

April 2009 – September 2009

Provide spiritual support and resources to staff
Offer support and spiritual guidance in times of crisis
Develop and implement spiritual education programs

Education

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Doctor of Arts in Human Services, February, 2009

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts in International Development, February, 2005

Skills

Organization

Risk Management

Stress Management

Data Analysis

Community Outreach

Cultural Sensitivity

Program Development

Grant Writing

Build My Resume

Professional Summary

A passionate and dedicated Chaplain with extensive experience in the charity and non-profit sector. Committed to providing spiritual guidance and support to individuals in need.

Employment history

Lead Chaplain, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Rye Brook, New York

January 2013 – Present

Maintain client records and documentation
Develop and maintain relationships with community clergy and faith-based organizations
Provide spiritual counseling and guidance to staff

Chaplain, Goodwill Industries International Rockville, Maryland

August 2011 – January 2013

Participate in fundraising and public relations activities
Participate in multidisciplinary teams to support clients
Provide pastoral care to individuals, families, and groups

Jr. Chaplain, Goodwill Industries International Rockville, Maryland

March 2010 – July 2011

Offer support and spiritual guidance in times of crisis
Develop and maintain relationships with community clergy and faith-based organizations
Participate in fundraising and public relations activities

Education

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, January, 2010

Skills

Data Analysis

Communication

Training

Written Communication

Crisis Management

Listening

Public Relations

Strategic Planning.

Use This chaplain Resume Template

Not in love with this template? Browse our full library of resume templates

chaplain Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an chaplain position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

chaplain

Provided spiritual, emotional, and behavioral assessments of patients to the medical staff.
Provided 24 hour-on-call pastoral care, to include emergencies, codes and deaths.
Served as a liaison and advocate between patients, families, doctors and nursing staff.
Performed bereavement services.
Comforted and counseled families during crisis and bereavement.
Led memorial services.
Conducted Protestant worship services, as needed.

chaplain (npe)

Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, and spiritual development and adjustment to health challenges.
Respond to patient requests for spiritual care with compassionate listening skills.
Develop, direct, and participate in training programs for staff and students.
Performed and conducted Protestant worship services.

chaplain

Complete 400 CPE hours (1 unit)
Organize and lead activities designed to promote mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.Read books to entire classes or small groups.
Maintain confidentiality of records.
Collect information about clients through sessions one on one.
Collaborate with other staff members to make assessments or develop treatment plans.
Refer clients or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
Evaluate the effectiveness of programs on clients’ progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.

1 2

chaplain Job Skills

For an chaplain position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

Interpersonal Communication
Empathy
Counseling
Conflict Resolution
Crisis Management
Organizational Skills
Listening
Collaboration
Compassion
Cultural Sensitivity
Community Outreach
Program Development
Program Evaluation
Budget Management
Fundraising
Grant Writing
Volunteer Management
Public Relations
Program Administration
Grant Management
Strategic Planning.

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your chaplain Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Employment history

Lead Chaplain, The Salvation Army New York, New York

June 2015 – Present

Participate in fundraising and public relations activities
Provide spiritual counseling and guidance to staff
Develop and implement programs to meet the spiritual needs of clients

Chaplain, American Red Cross Washington, DC

December 2014 – May 2015

Participate in multidisciplinary teams to support clients
Lead spiritual services and provide spiritual guidance and counseling
Provide spiritual support and resources to staff

Junior Chaplain, The Salvation Army New York, New York

June 2013 – November 2014

Education

University of Texas, Austin, Texas

Doctor of Arts in Nonprofit Administration, May, 2013

University of Texas, Austin, Texas

Bachelor of Arts in Community Development, May, 2009

Skills

Research

Written Communication

Relationship Management.

Innovation

Crisis Management

Interpersonal Communication

Compassion

Public Relations

Include your Contact Information and Job Descriptions

Missing job descriptions lessens your chances of getting hired.

Key Insights

Employers want to know what you've accomplished, so make sure to include descriptions for all of your previous jobs.
Keep job descriptions short but don't just list your jobs.
Never copy-paste a job description to post on your resume. Get inspired and use tools to help you write customized descriptions.

How to Optimize Your chaplain Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Employment history

Senior Chaplain, Catholic Charities USA Alexandria, Virginia

November 2010 – May 2022

Offer suport an spiritual guidanc in times ov crisis.
Provide spiritual suport and resouces too staff.
Maintane client records an documentation.

Associate Chaplain, United Way Alexandria, Virginia

May 2010 – October 2010

"Provid spiritual suppourt an resources too staff".
Leead spiritual services and provvide spiritual guidiance and counceling.
"Provide spiritual counceling and guidiance too staff".

Jr. Chaplain, Feeding America Chicago, Illinois

October 2009 – April 2010

Develp annd impplement spirtual educaation progrrams.
Fascilitate spirtual growth an development.
Provide spritual suport and resourses to staf.

Education

University of California, Berkeley, California

Certified Nonprofit Human Resource Professional, September, 2009

Skills

Data Analysis

Organization

Flexibility

Reporting

Empathy

Program Administration

Counseling

Listening

Correct Grammar and Address Gap Years in Your Resume

Don't leave unexplained gaps in your work history.

Key Insights

When explaining gaps in your employment section, start by being honest.
Elaborate on the gap and show that you never stopped learning.
Explain and elaborate any gap in your work history by highlighting new skills.

chaplain Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an chaplain position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Lead Chaplain
Goodwill Industries International
Rockville, Maryland

To the respected Goodwill Industries International Recruitment Team

I am writing to express my interest in the Lead Chaplain position at Goodwill Industries International. As a Chaplain with 3 years of experience in the Charity & Non-Profit field myself, I believe I have the necessary skills and expertise to excel in this role.

As someone who has always been curious and eager to learn, I have pursued my education and gained experience in areas like Strategic Planning to develop my skills in my work. This experience has given me the opportunity to lead major projects and provide my input in diverse areas, which have helped me gain a deeper understanding of the industry. I am excited to bring my passion and expertise to the role at this company and work towards achieving your organization's goals.

I cannot stress enough how thrilled I am about the chance to join a team of like-minded individuals who share my values and passion for this amazing field. Thank you for considering my application and I hope for the chance to work together.

Kindest regards,
Brad Foster
637-972-2733
[email protected]

Brad Foster

CUSTOMIZE THIS COVER LETTER

Showcase your most significant accomplishments and qualifications with this cover letter.
Personalize this cover letter in just few minutes with our user-friendly tool!

Related Resumes & Cover Letters