Food Microbiologist Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Food Microbiologist resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Microbiologists study microorganisms— including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi—as well as the environments in which they thrive. They look at how these tiny living things interact with one another and their surroundings, and how they can be used for medical purposes or for industrial processes.
Microbiologists use their knowledge of biology, chemistry, and other sciences to identify pathogens, develop new drugs and treatments, track the spread of disease, and more. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, you’ll need a resume that showcases your expertise and experience in this highly specialized space. Follow these tips and resume example to write a great microbiology resume that hiring managers will love.
How to Write a Food Microbiologist Resume
Here’s how to write a resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. And when it comes to food microbiology, you can use bullet points to describe your role in developing new food products, testing food safety, or conducting research.
For example, rather than saying you “conducted food safety tests,” you could say you “conducted microbial testing on raw ingredients and finished products for major food brands to ensure compliance with FDA regulations.”
The second bullet point is more specific and provides more detail about what exactly you did and for whom. It also includes a quantifiable result—compliance with FDA regulations—which is always a good thing!
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a food microbiologist role, your resume will likely be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. ATS programs rank each resume against other candidates by scanning the document for specific job-related terms, like “food safety” or “microbiology.” If your resume doesn’t have enough relevant keywords, the ATS might reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common food microbiologist keywords as a starting point to help you identify the skills and experience you should include on your resume:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Food Safety
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
- Laboratory Skills
- Cell Culture
- Biotechnology
- Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
- Food Science
- Food Microbiology
- Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
- Fermentation
- Environmental Monitoring
- Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
- DNA Extraction
- Food Microbiology Testing
- Food Analysis
- Food Industry
- Quality Control
- Environmental Monitoring
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Implementation
- Microbial Ecology
- Microbial Growth
- Food Industry Knowledge
- Food Processing
- Food Safety Regulations
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Implementation
- Microbiological Analysis
- ISO 22000
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a food microbiologist, you need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and systems in order to effectively do your job. This might include programs like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as specific food safety software. Additionally, you need to be familiar with food safety regulations and have the ability to effectively communicate with other members of the food safety team.