Resume

Botanist Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this Botanist resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

Botanists study the world of plants—how they work, how they’re connected to other living things, how they interact with their environment, and how they evolved into the diverse array of species that exist today. If you have a passion for nature and enjoy learning about the natural world, a career as a botanist could be perfect for you.

If you’re ready to start looking for a job as a botanist or want to update your resume for an existing role, here are some tips and an example resume to help you write a winning botanist resume.

David Moore
Los Angeles, CA | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Seasoned botanist with a passion for plant biology and ecology. With over 10 years of experience in the field, has developed an expertise in plant identification, classification, and the impacts of climate change on plant populations.

Education
University of California, Berkeley Jun '10
M.S. in Botany
University of California, Santa Cruz Jun '06
B.A. in Environmental Science
Experience
Company A, Botanist Jan '17 – Current
  • Assisted in the maintenance of greenhouse and outdoor plant collections, including propagation, transplanting, weeding, watering, and fertilizing plants.
  • Provided horticultural support for research projects by maintaining greenhouses and gardens; assisted with field work such as collecting botanical specimens from natural habitats.
  • Participated in educational programs to teach students about plants and their role in our environment.
  • Maintained a personal garden plot at home or on campus to grow food for personal consumption or sale to raise money for student organizations/projects.
  • Performed other duties as assigned by supervisor(s) within the Botany Department & College of Natural Sciences that may include but are not limited to: assisting with general lab upkeep (cleaning glassware, sweeping floors), data entry, etc..
Company B, Botanist Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Conducted research on the effects of climate change and urbanization on plant species, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals
  • Collaborated with other botanists to create a comprehensive database for tracking invasive plant species
  • Assessed the health of trees and shrubs using tools such as pruners and calipers
  • Developed an outreach program that educated local community members about native plants
  • Propagated rare plant species at a botanical garden; maintained collection of ~200 different specimens
Company C, Botanical Assistant Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Watered, trimmed, and fertilized plants according to specified schedules and needs.
  • Maintained cleanliness of work areas and equipment.
  • Observed plants for signs of pests or disease and took appropriate action to remedy the problem.
Certifications
  • California Botanist License
  • Certified Arborist
  • Master Gardener
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, Plant Classification, Plant Ecology, Plant Taxonomy, Plant Physiology, Plant Chemistry, Plant Pathology
Technical Skills: Meristemology, Cytology, Phytochemistry, Mycology, Taxonomy, Plant Tissue Culture, Plant Propagation, Plant Breeding, Plant Physiology, Plant Pathology
Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Time Management, Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Leadership

How to Write a Botanist Resume

Here’s how to write a botanist resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. But rather than simply listing your responsibilities, you can make your bullet points much more interesting and compelling by using specific details and numbers.

For example, rather than saying you “conducted research on plant species in the Andes Mountains,” you could say you “conducted research on plant species native to the Andes Mountains, identifying and cataloging more than 50 new species of flora.”

The second bullet point is much more interesting and specific, which makes it much easier for the reader to visualize your work. And that will help them understand how your experience and skills could be useful to their organization.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. The ATS will look for specific terms related to the job opening in order to determine whether or not you have the right skills and experience for the position. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, your application might not even be seen by a human.

Because every job is different, it’s difficult to predict which keywords are most relevant for each application. However, there are some terms that are commonly used in botany-related positions:

  • Botany
  • Science
  • Taxonomy
  • Research
  • Plants
  • Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • Ecology
  • Natural Resources
  • Higher Education
  • Field Work
  • Conservation
  • Mycology
  • Forestry
  • Plant Biology
  • Plant Taxonomy
  • Plant Identification
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Laboratory Skills
  • Molecular Biology
  • Herbarium
  • Field Mycology
  • Phytogeography
  • Mycology
  • Laboratory Skills
  • Teaching
  • Academic Writing
  • Writing
  • Teaching Writing
  • Public Speaking

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Botanists use a variety of technology in their work to identify, collect, and study plant specimens. They are typically familiar with computer programs used for plant identification, like databases of plant morphology and herbicide resistance. Additionally, botanists may be called on to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to map plant distributions or analyze land use changes. So if you have experience with any of these programs, be sure to list them in your technical skills section.

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