Analytical Chemist Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Analytical Chemist resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Analytical chemists are highly trained scientists who use analytical techniques and laboratory equipment to measure the physical and chemical properties of substances. They use their findings to identify or track down contaminants in food and water supplies, monitor the safety of pharmaceuticals, and test new drugs for efficacy.
Analytical chemists also use their expertise to help companies monitor their environmental impact. They might identify ways to reduce waste or improve efficiency across a range of industries. Or they might work in academia, researching new ways to harness energy or create sustainable materials.
Regardless of their area of focus, analytical chemists rely on their training and experience to interpret data and identify trends. They’re also comfortable working independently and taking initiative when necessary. Here are some tips and an example resume to help you write a compelling analytical chemist resume that will catch hiring managers’ eyes.
How to Write an Analytical Chemist Resume
Here’s how to write an analytical chemist resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters will see. And they have to be compelling enough to make them want to read the rest of your resume.
So rather than just listing your responsibilities, you can use bullet points to describe the results of your work. For example, rather than saying you “analyzed samples,” you could say you “analyzed samples to identify source of contamination in water supply, resulting in immediate shut down of contaminated well and preventing potential outbreak of disease in local community.”
The second bullet point paints a much more vivid picture of what you did and the impact of your work. And it also provides a clear example of how your work helped the community.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a job as an analytical chemist, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This program will scan your resume for certain keywords related to the job opening. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, your application might not make it to the next stage.
The best way to identify the right keywords is to take a close look at the job posting and include those terms in your resume. Here are some of the most commonly used analytical chemist keywords:
- Analytical Chemistry
- LC/MS
- Gas Chromatography
- HPLC
- Atomic Absorption
- Spectroscopy
- UV/Vis Spectroscopy
- Quantitative Analysis
- Instrumentation
- Wet Chemistry
- X-ray Diffraction
- Chemistry
- Hyphenated Techniques
- Laboratory Skills
- Atomic Emission
- MATLAB
- Iron Containing Ores
- Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
- Method Development
- Quality Control
- Zinc
- Semiconductors
- Copper
- Minerals
- Polymers
- Materials Science
- Ferrous Metals
- X-ray Crystallography
- Metal Analysis
- Microanalysis
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Analytical chemists use a variety of analytical methods and instruments to test the chemical and physical properties of substances. They are also responsible for documenting and reporting their findings. As such, it is important for analytical chemists to be proficient in the use of technology.
Some of the programs and systems that analytical chemists are typically expected to be proficient in include: analytical software, titration software, chromatography software, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Additionally, analytical chemists should be familiar with laboratory safety procedures and how to use the various types of analytical instruments.