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Looking to land a job as a chemist? Use industry-specific tips and templates to perfect your chemistry resume and secure your dream job in this exciting field!
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The chemistry field is extremely competitive. With the number of applicants far outweighing the number of jobs available, your resume takes on extra importance. And as the first thing the hiring manager sees, it’s vital your resume spotlights your best attributes and encourages them to offer you an interview.
This guide will show you:
Your chemistry resume should underline your specific area of expertise in the chemistry field. Depending on the role you’re applying to, you’ll want to feature any relevant experience with process chemistry, organic synthesis, chemical analysis, equipment calibration, and other related laboratory procedures.
Your education and training will also be of interest to hiring managers. List your highest level of educational qualification and any relevant chemistry certifications in the education section. This will further demonstrate your specialisms in the field.
Don’t just focus exclusively on chemistry skills, however. It’s also important to emphasize soft skills such as communication and teamwork, especially where the role involves working with other chemists and lab technicians.
Build my resumeThe structure of your chemistry resume will vary depending on your chosen resume format. You have three options:
The chronological format is the preferred resume format of most hiring managers. It’s also the format we use in the chemist resume example below.
Add your contact information to the page header at the top of your resume. This includes your:
Present this information clearly so that the recruiter can easily reach out to you should they wish to progress your application.
The resume summary (or objective) provides a brief overview of your key skills and experiences. While a resume summary covers your current skillset and top achievements, a resume objective also adds a statement of your career aspirations.
If you already have several years of professional experience in chemistry, a resume summary will work best. For recent graduates looking for their first chemist job, consider a resume objective.
Use the skills section to tailor your resume to the needs of the role. Read through the job description and pick out five or more skills to include in your resume.Some hard skills you might consider include:
And here are some soft skills:
Aim for a mix of soft and hard skills, with slightly more weighting on role-specific chemistry skills.
In the work experience section, list all chemistry-related job titles held over the past 10 years. For each position, focus on the tasks and accomplishments that are most relevant to the role you’re applying to. List these as bullet points.Use examples and statistics to support your points. For example, this could be the number of new food products you developed, or a percentage by which you improved laboratory efficiency.
If you have a master’s or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, list it in the education section. Only include your highest level of education. You can also add relevant certifications in this section.
Use these resume writing tips to impress potential employers.
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Writing a cover letter is an important stage in your job search. Unless the job posting explicitly says not to, always include a cover letter as part of your application. The cover letter is your chance to expand on your skillset and further explain how you can fit what the employer needs.
If you lack professional experience, you can still use the chemist resume sample above as a template. Focus on any laboratory experience as a volunteer or intern. You can also place greater emphasis on your resume objective, education, and skills sections.
Always tweak your resume for each new role you apply to. Ensure that your resume summary (or resume objective) section fits the role and organization you’re applying to. The skills section should also feature specific skills listed in the job description, and your work history section should highlight responsibilities and accomplishments that play into what the job needs.
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