Sciences Resume Examples

As with any resume, you will need the five main sections: contact information, professional summary or objective statement, skills, work history and education.

The main selling points of your Science resume should be found in your skills and work experience sections.

They should take up the most space on your resume because that’s where you’re going to convince employers you’re the right person for the job.

It’s good practice to try to put numbers in your resume so that employers get a full scope of what you’re capable of accomplishing as a sciences professional.

For example, for a work history describing a research assistant, you could include figures like these:

• Conducted over 200 successful statistical analysis
• Applied a scientific approach, solving 40 mathematical problems daily
• Communicated 400 findings using models, charts and graphs
• Conducted 80 biological research findings using scientific writing

The first rule is to never lie on your resume. It will only backfire and set unrealistic standards for yourself.

CVs also known as a curriculum vitae, while popular in Europe, aren’t used as much in the U.S. with the exceptions of science research and academic roles.

If you’re applying to a role in the research side of science, you should consider using a CV instead of a resume.

The main difference is that a CV will not have a limit on length. This gives you more space and extra sections to elaborate on your professional background that you wouldn’t find on a standard resume.

For example, on a CV you can include sections that showcase grants and proposals you’ve gotten approved, and research or findings you’ve had published. It will better show your prowess as a sciences professional.

This will direct recruiters to a more detailed understanding of your publications, methods and experience.

For a scientist, the education section is an asset and one of the most important parts of the resume, where you can emphasize your education credentials.

Although a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some scientist positions, many may require certifications such as master’s or doctorate degrees.

Whether you are applying for an entry-level or a managerial position, your academic work will add credibility.

In a sciences resume, list your degrees in a reverse-chronological order, with your most recent degree listed first.

To list your education, include the name of the institution you attended, its city and state, and if you graduated, your major(s).

Here’s an example:

American University   Washington, DC

PHD, Biological Sciences in Public Health

Wakefield University   Ann Arbor, MI

BS, Biology

If you have graduated from college, you do not need to include your high school education.

Also, if it has been more than ten years since you graduated, it is no longer necessary to include the year. This also allows for recruiters not to focus on your age, which could potentially lead to hiring bias.

You should only list the dates you attended a school if you did not graduate as the means to show how long you attended.

Structure your work experience in a way that aligns with the job description. Applied sciences, biology, earth sciences, physical sciences, astrophysics or social sciences include a broad range of jobs that may align with your work experience.

If you do not have a lot of experience within sciences, you can expand on other areas that will add strength to the job you are seeking, such as data entry, marketing research analyst, technical writing, health informatics, sales or even public speaking.

You can also add internships, understudy or assistant work. However, if you have been a laboratory technician, a geologist or chemist, use quantitative information to back up your work experience.

Yes! A cover letter is the professional standard across industries. Even if it’s not requested in the job post, including a cover letter with science industry specifics will add value to your application.

A cover letter allows you to explain any possible gaps in your work history as well as emphasize your interest in the open position.

Be specific about your area of expertise such as prior research or your niche knowledge in biological and physical sciences.

This is a good opportunity to detail your accomplishments. If for instance you were successful at writing a grant in which you were able to secure federal funding for sciences, a cover letter is an ideal tool to promote this and the results you accomplished.

With a cover letter, recruiters will be able to learn about your work in depth, and how your experience in sciences can contribute to their goals.

To get started, check out our library of sciences cover letter samples.