The science industry is a competitive one. If you hope to gain employment as a chemist, you need to do your best to stand out from a sea of other hopefuls. Doing so requires a well-written CV that is engaging, professional, and encourages potential employers to contact you and schedule an interview.
Use the attached guidelines and hints along with the included professional chemist CV example to help you begin writing your own exemplary CV.
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Professional chemist with more than a decade of experience in the field and a strong working knowledge of the industry. Excellent command of the English language, including oral and written comprehension skills. Critical thinker who is reliable, responsible, organized, and always goes the extra mile for the job.
- Outstanding critical thinker who can use logic and reasoning to identify weaknesses in laboratory research and modify the research plan to create a stronger proposal that yields more concise results.
- Exceptional communicator who has the ability to convey and understand complex thoughts in person or via writing.
- Patient instructor who has knowledge of teaching methods that helps new employees, interns, and others to learn how to properly conduct research in a laboratory environment.
- Highly organized individual who keeps detailed notes during each step of the research process and submits full reports that help other chemists and scientists to better their own research methods.
- Qualified chemist who has the dexterity and coordination necessary to work in a laboratory with expensive equipment and dangerous chemicals.
- Analyze organic and inorganic compounds using techniques such as chromatography and spectrophotometry to determine properties, structure, reactions, relationships, and composition.
- Maintain laboratory and its equipment, troubleshooting issues when necessary to ensure a safe and productive lab.
- Introduce heat, energy, light, or chemical catalysts to substances in order to induce changes and perform analysis.
- Compiled test information and analyzed it to determine how efficiently processes and equipment were working, diagnose problems, and create and implement solutions.
- Communicated with other scientists and engineers on projects to analyze research projects, develop nonstandard tests, and interpret their results.
- Maintained inventory and purchased lab supplies when necessary, including chemicals, beakers, test tubes, and equipment.
- Prepared compounds, reagents, and test solutions in order to conduct laboratory tests.
- Evaluated safety procedures for the laboratory to ensure compliance and improved those standards where necessary.
- Wrote reports and technical papers detailing processes, products, tests, and facilities used during experimentation.
- Developed new formulas to improve products that were already on the market and bring them to a larger audience.
I enjoy reading anything I can find on new advances in science, whether in the fields of computer, medicine, or any others. When I am not working, I like to practice meditation, enjoy local history, and read about paranormal experiences. I also spend plenty of quality time with my partner, our families, and our pets.
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Questions for Your Chemist CV
When applying for your first job, it’s important to make the most of the work history that you have. Many skills transfer well from one job to another, such as technological knowledge, organizational ability, and data synthesis. Create bullet points that mention opportunities you had to use these skills. For example, if you worked in a restaurant and were responsible for tracking online orders or maintaining an inventory database, put those experiences down.
You can also enhance your education section by including internships, apprenticeships, and work study opportunities. Don’t forget to add any special workshops, training, certification, or summer intensive programs to your list. See our chemist CV sample for further suggestions.
Five to eight bullets per job is a good target range for your work experience section. Make sure you have a nice mix of responsibilities and accomplishments. Try to find strong verbs that convey progress and improvement, such as pioneered, expedited, maximized, and fostered.
Whenever you can, include numbers and percentages. “Overhauled and incorporated safety measures that reduced lab accidents by 9%” shows hiring managers that your work has concrete results.
As a chemist, you work with delicate scientific instruments and equipment daily. Indicate this on your CV by mentioning one or two technical skills in your professional summary. Start with, “dedicated chemist with 10 years’ experience in gas chromatography,” for example. You can also show off your tech knowledge in the skills section by mentioning specific equipment that you have used, or software programs with which you have expertise, such as “proficient in ChemDraw and Spartan.” Study our chemist CV sample for more examples.
References are not included on CVs unless the job description specifically asks for them. Hiring managers expect you to bring them to the interview and therefore don’t require them in advance. If you need references, create a separate section for them at the bottom of your CV. Write the full name of the references and their contact information. There’s no need for their address; phone number and email are enough. Also put their job title or position so it’s clear where they are in the company hierarchy.
It’s a good idea to include these sections in your CV: contact information, professional summary, skills, work experience, education, and, if you like, hobbies and interests. The contact information goes at the top, then the order of the rest is up to you. If you just graduated from college and your work history is slight, you may wish to put your education section next to showcase that accomplishment. If you have fantastic work experience with important companies, you can place that section front and center.
Check out our chemist CV sample for great ideas on formatting. If you need further help, try our resume builder for customized, professional assistance.
Chemist CV Must-Haves
What Does a Chemist Do?
Chemists are responsible for conducting experiments or chemical analyses for qualitative or quantitative purposes. These analyses can be used to determine quality of an item, to provide process control, or to develop new products and gain knowledge. Chemistry is used for everything from medical research to food nutrition research.
Chemists must be comfortable working alone for long periods of time but must also be able to act as a team player when necessary. They should be highly knowledgeable in the research process, mathematics, computers, and the English language. Chemists must have strong critical thinking skills, excellent decision-making abilities, and be highly coordinated. As in this professional chemist CV example, your CV should mention all of these qualities as well as more specific job duties.
Tips for Creating a Great Chemist CV
Implement the following guidelines when writing your CV to ensure it is professional and well-written:
– Do use your professional summary to your advantage. Highlight your most desirable skills and one or two of your best accomplishments. They will help a hiring manager decide whether to keep reading.
– Do not include irrelevant information in your education section. Focus on your degrees and any chemistry-related organizations or clubs you are or were a part of. Avoid listing high school information, GPAs, or unrelated extracurricular activities.
– Do use bullet points to detail your job duties and responsibilities for previous employers. They are easier for the hiring manager to read through and look more organized than paragraphs.
– Do not get too personal on your CV. Avoid giving information on politics, religion, sexual orientation, or other controversial topics.
– Do proofread your CV multiple times to ensure you remove any spelling or grammar mistakes.