If you’ve played D&D for more than a few months, you’ve gained some seriously employable skills and experiences that you can add to your resume.
Here’s how to write D&D on a resume:
Write D&D on a resume by including D&D in the skills, experience, accomplishment, and interest sections. Highlight D&D skills such as analytical and problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, organization, research, commitment, small group dynamics, and facilitation.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how to write D&D on a resume—with plenty of examples and templates.
Should I Put D&D on a Resume?
Yes, you can and should put D&D on a resume. It may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but D&D can actually teach you lots of valuable skills relevant to the working world.
Most people think that Dungeons and Dragons is just a game.
But it can be a great way to show employers that you have certain skills that they want.
For example, D&D requires players to use their imagination, think strategically, and work together as a team. You can use those skills in any job.
Of course, not every employer knows about D&D and why a skillful Dungeon Master (DM) or player is a valuable asset to a company.
With that in mind, you’ll need to explain how your D&D experience is relevant to the job you want. If you think the company you’re applying for needs a particular D&D-related skill, make it stand out in your resume.
15 Best Ways To Add D&D to a Resume (Chart)
As a Dungeon Master (DM) or D&D player, there are valuable skills you’ve picked up that are worth adding to your resume.
Here are 15 good examples with brief explanations:
D&D Skill | How To Add It to Your Resume |
---|---|
Strategic Thinking | DMs and players are constantly thinking ahead. They need to be able to anticipate the events of the game and plan accordingly. This skill is valuable in any job that requires planning or foresight. |
Creativity | D&D relies heavily on creativity. From coming up with new ideas for adventures to thinking of ways to challenge your players. It’s a valuable skill in any job that requires generating new ideas or solutions. |
Teamwork | D&D is a cooperative game. Players need to work together to succeed. Any job that requires teamwork or collaboration would benefit from this skill. |
Communication | D&D demands clear and concise communication. You need to explain your ideas clearly and give instructions that are easy to follow. Any job that involves communication, whether written or oral, benefits from someone adept at this skill. |
Leadership | DMs are in charge of the game. They need to maintain control and make decisions. Players can lead their adventuring groups. Leadership is a highly valuable skill in any job that involves leading or managing people. |
Problem-Solving | D&D is full of tricky challenges. Players need to be able to think on their feet and come up with solutions. You will need such skills when applying for a job that requires creative thinking or quick decision-making. |
Flexibility | D&D is a fluid game that changes constantly. There are many different ways to play it. DMs need to be able to adapt to the needs of their players. Players must adapt to shifting events, conflicts, and other players. Flexibility and adaptability are essential skills in any job. |
Organization | A big part of being a DM is keeping track of all the different elements of the game. You need to be able to organize information and keep everything running smoothly. Players also keep detailed notes. The ability to organize (and stay organized) makes you a better employee. |
Facilitation | D&D relies on the DM to keep things moving. You need to be able to keep players on track and keep the game flowing. That’s a valuable skill in any job that requires facilitation or mediation. |
Commitment | D&D can be a frustrating game. Players can make bad decisions or get lost. As a DM, you need to be able to keep your cool and deal with difficult situations. As a player, you must display patience and fortitude. These are valuable skills for any job where you interface with the public or handle difficult social situations. |
Dealing with Different Personalities | D&D is a social game. You need to deal with people with unique personality types and accommodate different play styles. You can quote such experience in a job that requires customer service or working with a diverse group of people. |
Research & Planning | D&D requires a lot of research. You need to be able to find information on different topics and make sure it’s accurate. Any job which mandates researching or working with data would benefit from this skill. |
Writing | D&D relies heavily on writing. Writing is a big part of the game, from creating adventures to chronicling the campaign. It’s a crucial skill in any job that requires writing or communication. |
Storytelling | D&D is, at its heart, a story. As a DM or player, you need to tell a good story. When applying for a job that requires communication or presentation, this storytelling will come in handy. |
Teaching | D&D is a complex game. You must teach the rules to new players. It’s a sought-after skill in any job that requires training others. |
These are just a few examples of the skills that you can develop through playing D&D.
If a job requires any of these skills (and let’s be real, all of them use these skills), be sure to mention your experience with the game on your resume.
With a little creativity, you can find a way to make D&D supremely relevant to almost any job.
Here is a good video that gives even more good examples of how to write D&D on a resume:
Where to Put D&D on a Resume? (4 Best Places)
You also need to know where to put D&D on a resume.
Don’t worry: I’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn the four best places to add your D&D experience.
Skills Section
Mentioning D&D in the skills section of your resume is a great way to show that you have certain qualities that employers want.
For example, when applying for a leadership position, you could say: I have experience leading a team and working collaboratively. I developed these skills through my years of experience as a Dungeon Master in Dungeons and Dragons.
Boom, I’d hire you.
Experience Section
If you have any previous experience running D&D games, you can definitely put that in the work experience section of your resume.
For example, when applying for a leadership role, you could say: I ran a weekly D&D game for my friends for three years. This experience taught me how to be creative on the fly, think strategically, and manage a highly diverse group of people.
Hobbies & Interests Section
If D&D is a regular part of your life, you can mention it in the hobbies and interests section.
It shows that you have certain qualities that would be relevant to the job.
For example, when applying for a writing role, you might state: I love playing Dungeons and Dragons. I’ve found D&D to be a perfect playground for my imagination. I have published four LitRPG (live-action role-playing game) adventures, which you can find on the Amazon website.
Accomplishments Section
If you have any accomplishments related to D&D, feel free to mention them in this section.
For example, I have been a Dungeon master for 500+ D&D sessions. I created an RPG blog with 50,000+ monthly views, which teaches people how to understand and play the game.
D&D Resume Examples
Dungeon Master
Professional Summary:
- Excellent customer service, with the ability to suit each customer’s needs
- Group leader experienced in even organization and event-planning
- Dependable, prompt, and able to adapt to changing situations and needs
Skills:
- Friendly and supportive
- Excellent verbal skills
- A skilled problem solver
- Exceptional math skills
- Eager, able, and fast learner
- Organized and prompt
- Skilled in computers and customer service
Education:
From 2008 to 2012
University of California, Santa Cruz: B.A. in Theater Arts
Relevant Coursework:
- Member of the D&D World Savers Club
- Coursework includes: Psychology, Biology, Sociology, and Co-operate management
Work History:
From 02/2017 to current
Dungeon Master Horizon Nth Logistics – Bridgewater, MA
- Organized small groups to experience interactive storytelling
- Proper communication in writing and speaking
- Time management
- Developed vending stores that sell D&D merchandise, including record keeping of sales and prices
- Kept accurate sales for over 2,000 orders
- Mentored 20+ individuals from different countries such as England, Ireland, Sweden, and Germany
- Created fully-developed fictional worlds from history, language, culture, and geography
Guide officer
From 03/2012 to 02/ 2017
Wizard of the Coast – Renton, WA
- Organized weekly game nights that 20-40 people would attend
- Taught new players the game
- Created and ran my own successful D&D campaign for over two years
- Resolve group issues diplomatically
Accomplishments
- Successfully ran and organized over 300 successful D&D campaigns
- Able to create, maintain, and successfully complete complex projects over an extended period of time
- Managed a team of 4-6 people
Hobbies & Interests:
- I have been playing D&D since I was a child, and it has always been one of my favorite hobbies. I love coming up with new characters and stories, and I am always looking for ways to make the game more fun for everyone involved.
D&D Resume Templates (D&D Job Application)
Resume templates are a great way to get started on your D&D resume.
Simply choose the template that best suits your needs and fill in the necessary information.
Before you keep reading, grab this free, fully customizable D&D resume template:
D&D Resume Header Template
123 YOUR STREET
YOUR CITY, ST 12345
(123) 456-7890
NO_REPLY@EXAMPLE.COM
Objective
To secure a position as a dungeon master where I can use my organizational and customer service skills to create an enjoyable experience for all players.
Skills Section Template
- Customer service
- Organizational
- Ability to adapt
- Strong verbal communication
- Problem-solving
- Math skills
- Stocking
- Efficient
- Fast learner
- Computers
Experience Section Template
Horizon North Logistics, Bridgewater, MA – Dungeon Master
- Organize friends and strangers to play D&D together
- Communicate effectively in writing and verbally
- Manage time properly
- Develop vending stores that sell D&D merchandise, including accurate record keeping of sales and prices
- Teach friends and strangers from different countries about D&D, including England, Ireland, Sweden, and Germany
March 2012-February 2017
Wizard of the Coast, Renton, WA – Guide Officer
- Planned weekly game nights
- Taught new players the game
- Created and ran my own successful D&D campaign for over two years
- Worked with fellow guide mates to resolve issues and concerns
Education Section Template
From 2008 to 2012
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY– B.A. in Theater Arts
Relevant Coursework:
- Facilitated the D&D Adventurers Club
- Coursework includes: Psychology, History, Theater, and Co-operate management
Accomplishments
- Successfully ran and organized over 300 successful D&D campaigns
- Build an international D&D community of over 50 people from around the world
- Wrote more than 200 articles on D&D topics with over one million annual readers
10 DND Skills To Put on Your Resume (Detailed Descriptions)
Here are detailed descriptions of 10 of the best skills to put on your resume.
You can also use this information on your cover letter, CV, and verbally in your interview.
1. Social Skills
Dungeons and Dragons is an immersive experience that teaches players important social skills.
As a DM, you need to talk to people, get along with challenging personalities, and keep the peace when arguments inevitably arise.
You’ll also need to be able to read people well, as this will help you gauge how your players are feeling and what they might be thinking.
Through role-playing, D&D forces you to practice creativity, improvisation, and collaboration with other players in order to succeed. Additionally, being able to take on different personas and make quick decisions under pressure allows you to learn how to navigate social situations with confidence.
Whether through foes in the game or misunderstandings from teammates, D&D provides ample opportunities for honing these essential communication skills.
Ultimately, D&D can help you grow as a person by teaching you how to be adaptable, collaborative, and open-minded.
All these are invaluable characteristics that will serve you well in your future endeavors.
Such skills are essential in any job that involves working with others, so they’re definitely worth mentioning on your resume.
2. Leadership Skills
When it comes to developing leadership skills, D&D is an incredibly powerful tool.
Whether you are the Dungeon Master or a regular player, D&D gives you the opportunity to practice skills such as navigating interpersonal relationships and solving complex problems.
In particular, playing a character in the game requires you to make important decisions that can directly impact the rest of your party.
For example, when multiple players at the same time might want to pursue different objectives, being able to coordinate plans with your teammates is essential for success.
Additionally, negotiating with other players inevitably requires conflict management skills, which are incredibly valuable in any field.
A good DM needs to take charge when necessary and keep the game moving forward.
That means making decisions quickly and efficiently and delegating tasks to other players when appropriate. If you can demonstrate that you have strong leadership skills, you’ll become more attractive to potential employers.
3. Problem-Solving Skills
Dungeons and Dragons is a complex and challenging system that requires players to think critically and solve problems in order to succeed.
In order to survive the game, players must overcome obstacles, defeat enemies, and complete quests.
The process of planning and executing these strategies requires critical thinking, creativity, and solution-based participation. As a result, D&D is an excellent way to develop problem-solving skills.
By playing the game, you can learn how to think on your feet, come up with creative solutions, and apply problem-solving strategies.
4. Storytelling Skills
A large part of being a successful DM is telling engaging stories that keep your players hooked.
In D&D, players take on the role of characters in an unfolding story, working together to overcome obstacles and defeat villains.
In the process, you learn how to create believable D&D characters, describe compelling action scenes, and maintain a consistent narrative. In other words, playing D&D teaches you many of the same skills that you need to write a great story.
If you have strong storytelling skills, mention them on your resume.
5. Math Skills
Most people don’t realize that playing D&D involves a fair amount of math.
You’ll need to be able to keep track of numbers, do basic calculations, and understand probability.
As an example, when choosing whether or not to attack an enemy, players must quickly assess their chances of defeating their opponent given their own character’s stats, as well as the stats of any allies involved in the encounter.
In addition, D&D also involves a significant amount of number crunching when it comes to creating characters and managing inventory.
Whether you are trying to maximize your character’s statistics for maximum damage or simply find the best weapon to use against an encountered foe (such as a D&D scythe), there is a lot of number manipulation required in order to ensure success on your next quest.
Simply keeping track of each item that your character collects during gameplay requires efficiency with numbers and simple math operations.
6. Visualizing and Experimentation Skills
One of the most critical skills for a DM is visualizing the game world in your mind and experimenting with different scenarios.
That means taking abstract concepts and turning them into something concrete that other people can experience.
D&D involves creating intricate maps, characters, and storylines, which requires a high level of creativity and imagination. In order to play D&D well, you must be able to visualize a wide range of different concepts in detail.
For example, when creating maps for the game, you need to think about things like terrain, weather patterns, wildlife populations, potential hazards, and obstacles, as well as major settlements and important landmarks in the area.
When developing characters and plotlines for the game, you need to be able to clearly imagine what your character might look or sound like.
7. Improvisation Skills
Playing Dungeons and Dragons is a great way to develop your ability to think on your feet and respond to unexpected challenges.
The game is built on a foundation of improvisation, requiring you to make decisions quickly as you explore new lands and encounter strange creatures.
Whether you are rolling dice to attack an enemy or chatting with another player in character, D&D requires you to be creative, quick-witted, and willing to take risks.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that many successful actors, comedians, and writers credit their time spent playing D&D as a vital part of their training.
8. Mediation Skills
When playing D&D, you learn a number of valuable mediation skills.
Perhaps the most important skill is active listening, which involves tuning in fully to what others are saying and responding in a clear and respectful way.
In D&D, this means carefully observing other players’ actions and making interjections only at appropriate times.
You also learn to be objective and nonjudgmental, focusing on finding solutions that work for everyone rather than letting your personal preferences color your decision-making.
Additionally, as you navigate the often complex social dynamics of D&D groups, you learn how to navigate more complex interactions in everyday life.
Whether dealing with colleagues at work or friends at school, these skills will help you communicate effectively and find common ground with others.
Overall, D&D can be a great way to develop your mediation skills and become a more effective communicator both online and off.
9. Time Management Skills
Whenever I play Dungeons and Dragons, I am constantly reminded of the importance of effective time management.
This is mainly because there is always a lot going on in the game—each character has their own set of skills and special abilities that they can use to solve puzzles and defeat enemies, and players must juggle their own schedules as well as those of their teammates to balance competing priorities.
Through these experiences, I have gained several time management skills.
Skills like:
- The ability to prioritize tasks effectively
- Develop efficient routines
- Plan ahead for potential obstacles and time conflicts
10. Team Building Skills
Like leadership, team building is another essential skill for a good DM and player.
It means bringing different players together and getting them to work well as a team.
D&D requires cooperation between players to overcome challenges, whether this means working together to defeat a boss or navigating perilous traps as a group.
In order for everyone to succeed, each player must rely on their teammates and contribute their unique abilities and knowledge whenever possible.
D&D Resume Generator
There are many different ways to list your D&D experience on a resume.
One way is to use a D&D resume generator.
D&D resume generators are available online and can help you create a professional-looking resume that includes all your D&D experience. It’s a great option if you don’t have much experience creating resumes.
It is also a time saver.
Here are some of my favorite D&D resume generators:
- Resume builder at Resume.com
- AI Resume builder at Resumegenius.com
- Jasper AI Writer at Jasper.com (all-around writing assistant)
3 Times to Not Write D&D on a Resume
While D&D can be a great way to show off your skills, there are some instances where it is best to leave it off of your resume.
Here are three times to not write D&D on your resume:
- When applying for a job in a field that doesn’t need creative skills.
- When you can’t quantify your achievements in D&D.
- If the job post has no relation to D&D in any way (hard to imagine, but there are always exceptions).
Another possible time to avoid talking about D&D is if the interviewer is highly religious.
To avoid accidentally offending the interviewer, you may want to talk about your experience without directly referring to D&D.
Instead of D&D, you can simply say, “roleplaying game” or “board game.”
Final Thoughts: How To Write D&D on a Resume
Along with your resume, you can add D&D skills and experience to your cover letter, introductory video, and sample writing assignments.
Don’t forget to mention D&D in your face-to-face or virtual interviews.
You never know what small detail might massively set you apart and ultimately land you the position.
Other D&D Related posts:
- How To Write a D&D Book (Ultimate Guide for Beginners)
- How To Write a D&D Module They Will Love (Ultimate Guide)
- How To Write a D&D Encounter They Will Love (Ultimate Guide)
- How To Write a D&D One-Shot They Will Love (20 Best Tips)
- How To Write D&D Notes (For Beginner Players & DMs)
- How To Write a D&D Backstory (Ultimate Guide With Examples)
- How to Write A D&D Campaign They’ll Love (The Ultimate DM Guide)