How to Create a Job-Winning Science Resume

by Alex A. Kecskes

You’re about to graduate with a Masters degree or PhD in science. You’re applying for that prestigious science post, the one that will catapult your career to the top. You’ve written a dynamite cover letter. But is your resume the best it can be? A standard formula resume won’t do anymore. Recruiters want to know how your resume fits the job description. Here’s how to create a job-winning resume that will get the attention of science recruiters:

Lead with Work Experience. List the employer or institution, and summarize your key responsibilities and accomplishments. Try to dovetail the work you did with the challenges and responsibilities inherent in the new position you’re applying for. Make it relevant.

R&D and Teaching. Again, link any R&D work or classes you taught with what the job you’re applying for demands.

Dissertation/Thesis. List completion dates, objectives and conclusions. Identify your adviser and committee members. Include your postdoctoral experience. Provide an overview of your work and your adviser’s name.

Awards/Publications. Include the most important. List all publications in standard bibliographic form, classified by type (journal or conference). Make sure the top two or three apply in some way to the specifics of the job you’re applying for.

Professional Associations, Foreign Study, Licenses. List associations in order of importance. Expand on foreign study if it applies to the position you’re applying for. Include length of time “in country” and a summary of what you studied. If you studied with a well-known researcher, list him or her by name.

If you have any thoughts on creating job-winning science resumes, feel free to share them in the comments section.

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.