INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Chemist positions are at a 6% growth rate, which is as fast as average. With that said, there are currently 92,400 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 6,000 to 98,400 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Chemist jobs was $80,680 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $54,810, and the highest 10% more than $165,290.
Our conclusion? The Chemist job market is wide open for candidates.
Top chemist sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a chemist resume experience section
Chemist resume experience: checklist
- Use either chronological or reverse-chronological format when listing your previous jobs;
- Mention only relevant positions that add value to your resume;
- Briefly state the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them;
- Highlight the results from your efforts (for bonus points, add numbers, percentage rates, etc.);
- Forget about buzzwords! Use power verbs instead.
Use the examples below to build your own experience section!
- deal with the bulk and the finished product from raw material , weighing….. to the labeling and packaging of the finished product.
- deal with the raw material from sampling, analysis, to give acceptance or rejection.
- deal with the instruments exists in the chemistry lab:---UV spectrophotometer – Flame photometer – Polarimeter – pH meter – Conductivity meter.
- deal with diGerent techniques of analysis.
- deal with water analysis to reach water quality to water for injection according to pharmacopoeia standards.
- I have a good information about water treatment station.
- Deal with all processes relating to pharmaceutical product: raw martial analysis, in process control, finished product analysis
- Providing enhancements to existing formulations in order upgrade the products quality.
- Being in charge of producing pilot plant batches of newly formulated products from raw materials including full analysis and any necessary adjustments to meet the specification criteria.
- Networking with companies abroad to improve the formulation of products for distribution abroad.
- Checking for quality control (QC) of products that were being manufactured during day-to-day basis.
- Effective handling customer enquiries and complaints on a daily basis.
- Successful manufactured one prototype product and engaged in the initial beta customer testing review.
- Set strategic direction and goals for the department
- Leading the Lean transformation of Research informatics. Move from an in-house aging and inefficient IT system to state of the art IT infrastructure enabling efficient data capture, high level of data integrity and on the fly data sharing to support knowledge generation
- Leading Lean activities (Improvement of research projects cycle time, relocation of global Biobank following closure of Research site in US)
- Development and fast turnaround of rubber compounds for a variety of markets and applications, requires familiarity with industry standards and specifications
- Analytical testing of rubber products and interpretation of test data
- Evaluation of findings to develop new concepts, products, equipment, or processes
- Completion of ISO 9000/13485 documentation
- Upjohn 1995
- Oread Laboratories Inc 1994
- Schering-Plough Research Institute 1990-1994
- Headed a multi-disciplinary & cross-functional team of 12 FTEs for managing research projects targeting novel Anti-bacterials
- Led the Steering Team of multidisciplinary projects
- Overall responsibility for quality and accuracy of project plans
- Fostered creation of high performing project teams and facilitated pragmatic decision making
- Had a lead role in extended enterprise endeavors starting from due diligence process till integration of acquired companies
- Carried out due diligence, followed by acquisition and successful integration of Combio, Denmark
- Acted as primary point of contact with alliance partners such as Polyphor, Switzerland and Merlion, Singapore
- Galaxy Surfactants Limited is today a global leader supplying a wide range of innovative products to over 1000 customers in 103 countries. These include the world's leading brands.
- Summary of my responsibilities :-
- Approve batches, incoming raw materials, and routine analysis of the different samples to classify their physical and chemical identity.
- Complete all paperwork related to the analysis (Calibration Log, Finished Goods Log and Raw Materials Log, ETC.
- Perform periodic calibration of Laboratory equipment.
- Keep knowledge of chemicals and glassware inventory.
- Perform Investigations into Analytical and Chemistry-related Problems Arising on the Shift.
- Provide Support to the Laboratory Manager.
- Contributed to the synthesis and purification of organic semiconductors with rationally designed and programmable electronic properties
- Collaborated in the development of DNA-template organic electronic nanowires for applications in efficient organic photovoltaic and electrical biosensors
- I adapted to using new reactions, techniques, machinery and administrative responsibilities vital to data integrity after 2/3 weeks, after which I worked both independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated effective time management and the dedication and perseverance required to meet deadlines by balancing, synthesis, purification, analysis, meetings and presentations on a weekly basis.
- Working with novel compounds resulted in regular use of my problem solving abilities, using my own knowledge and utilizing the resources available.
- Ability to deliver information to a class of 20-30 students from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of academic ability and interests
- Confidence presenting to large groups of people
- Lesson preparation, assignment marking; time management and prioritisation of these tasks
- High level of education and ability in relevant subjects
PRO TIP
Include quantitative data throughout your Chemist resume to impress the hiring manager. Real facts and figures that show off your competency as an audit manager go a long way. Did you reduce the costs of audits? Manage a large team? Boosted efficiency? Show off the real numbers!
Action verbs for your chemist resume
Recommended reads:
Chemist resume: the skills section!
How to write a strong chemist resume skills section?
- Make sure to include all types of skills - soft, hard, technical;
- Focus on skills that show your expertise in the field;
- Check the job description for keywords and make sure to add them to your resume – this will help you pass ATS;
- Leave room for discussion – elaborate on some of your strongest skills in other sections of your resume
Top skills for your chemist resume
SQL
Python
Power BI
Analysis Designer
Asset Sentinel
Process Stimulation
Microsoft Office
Critical thinking
Problem Solving
Creativity
Innovation
Organisation
Attention to details
Caution
PRO TIP
Avoid getting sidetracked by Applicant tracking software by including a tech skills' section matching the job description and your own qualifications.
Recommended reads:
Chemist resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your chemist resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have policies about identifying information like photos on your Chemist resume. Be sure to check all the relevant rules before submitting yours. If you’re in doubt, you can always try contacting the company’s HR department to ask for their policy.
A career summary for your chemist resume
Things to include in your chemist resume summary:
- Your total years of experience in the industry;
- 2-3 of your most remarkable achievements so far;
- How your experience relates to the position you’re applying for;
- A very brief description of your strengths.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Your summary section should act as a professional taster. Use it wisely. Effectively convey your professional profile and let the hiring manager know that if they hire you, they won’t be disappointed. Make sure to include keywords from the job description too! Elaborate on your abilities further in your experience section. Again, cater to the job description.
Recommended reads:
Chemist resume: The education section
Things to include in your resume's education section:
- Your highest education degree – including course, year of graduation, institution;
- Awards received as part of your education;
- Extracurricular activities that have helped you gain relevant skills;
- Certifications that have helped you master new skills and increase your expertise;
- Entry-level applicants only: relevant courses and projects.
Top certifications for your chemist resume
Dr. K's Complete First Semester General Chemistry I Course
A Course to Prepare You for College Level General Chemistry
Master The Fundamentals Of Chemistry (Part 1 of 4)
This Is A High School Chemistry Course For Students Preparing For iGCSE, GCSE & AP Chemistry Exams
Dr. K's Complete Second Semester General Chemistry II Course
A Course to Prepare You for College Level General Chemistry
Complete General Chemistry 20+ hours of lectures & examples
Master General Chemistry in 4 weeks by solving examples & problems! Rahsoft Chemical Engineering Department RAHCH101
Organic Chemistry: Spectroscopy Master Class
Gain confidence in NMR (1H and 13C), IR, and MS with guided practice problems.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Chemist. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
Choosing the right format for your chemist resume
In general, there are three basic formats for your resume:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Some things to consider when choosing the right format for your Chemist resume include the stage of your career, whether you have all the right skills required for the job or are looking for an industry change, and what field you’re looking to grow in.
The reverse-chronological resume format is the most common one. It lets you describe your most recent job and then move backward. This makes it great for people who have around or less than 10 years of experience and are looking to highlight only their work-related skills and qualities.
If you’re just starting your career journey and reverse-chronological resumes sound too demanding, go for the functional resume format. It’s ideal for showcasing your strengths, personal qualities, skills, education, and the courses you’ve taken, without putting too much pressure on experience and expertise.
Don’t worry if neither of these sounds suitable for you – the hybrid or combination resume format will surely match your needs. It’s similar to the reverse-chronological, but with a catchy twist. Combination or hybrid resumes are great for showcasing both your experience and work-related skills and your personal qualities. Add a “What my day looks like” section for enhancing the jaw-dropping experience!
Here are some more things worth remembering when it comes to formatting your Chemist resume:
- Choose standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Go for traditional resume fonts sized 10-12p;
- Match the length of your Chemist resume with your experience – choose a one-page template if you have less than 10 years of experience, and be careful with two-page templates – use them only when applying for executive positions;
- Save your resume in PDF to avoid formatting issues and potential unauthorized editing.
Tired of getting rejected? Check out this article on how to craft a resume that stands out!
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Test your draft Chemist resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Other sections suitable for your chemist resume
Depending on the position and the industry, you can spice your resume up by adding some more sections. They will help the recruiter get a glimpse of who you are as a person, besides all your job-related skills and qualities.
Here are some examples:
How to add creativity to your chemist resume
Gone are the days when creative resumes were frowned upon by recruiters!
What’s more, the right amount of creativity will make recruiters remember you and want to learn more about who you are – both as an individual and as a professional.
There are two ways to build a creative resume - add creative sections or go for a more creative design approach in general. Go for whatever suits you, the position, and the industry most!
What makes a great chemist resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
