Researcher Resume Example & Writing Guide

Researcher is an ideal job for people who love digging into the details. Researchers are tasked with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, and they use their findings to make recommendations and create solutions.

If you’re a detail-oriented person who thrives on research and analysis, consider a career as a researcher when you next look for a job. But before you start writing your resume, make sure you have all the information you need to write a compelling research resume that will get hiring managers interested in hiring you.

How to Write a Researcher 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. But rather than simply listing your responsibilities, you can use bullet points to tell a story about your work.

For example, rather than saying you “conducted research on new drug treatments,” you could say you “conducted research on new drug treatments and identified new treatment options for rare disease affecting 1 in 10,000 people.”

The second bullet point is much more interesting and specific, which makes it much more compelling. And it also provides some key details about the project, including the number of people affected by the disease and the type of treatment that was discovered.

Related: What Is a Researcher? How to Become One

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you apply for a researcher role, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This system will scan your resume for certain keywords related to the position. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.

The best way to identify the right keywords is to carefully read through the job posting and take note of the terms that are used most frequently. Then, try to use those same terms on your resume. Here are some common researcher keywords:

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a researcher, you need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and systems in order to effectively do your job. This might include research databases, statistical analysis software, and presentation software. Additionally, you need to be able to use technology to communicate with other members of the research team, including scientists and engineers.

Some of the programs and systems that researchers are typically expected to be proficient in include: research databases, statistical analysis software, presentation software, and scientific and engineering software.

Related: How Much Does a Researcher Make?

Remember The Basics

As you draft your resume, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind.

Make Your Resume Easy to Scan

There are a few things you can do to make your resume easier to read and understand quickly. Aligning everything to the left, using a standard font type and size, and keeping bullets under 2 lines will help make your resume more skimmable. You should also try to leave some white space on the page to help the recruiter easily scan through your information.

Be Concise

A resume is typically one page long when you have less than five to eight years of professional experience. When you have more experience than that, a two-page resume is more appropriate. You can shorten your resume by removing irrelevant information, dropping references, and removing filler words.

Proofread

Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spell checking is a must, as are punctuation and grammar checks. It is also helpful to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may catch mistakes that you have missed. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.

Consider Including a Summary

When it comes to writing a resume, a well-crafted summary statement can make all the difference. This section is designed to provide an overview of your skills and experience, and to show how they can be applied in a new role. By highlighting your best traits and skills, you can make a strong case for why you’re a great fit for the job. Plus, a summary statement can help to quickly catch the eye of a recruiter, which can be especially helpful if your experience is spread out over multiple pages. If you’re not sure how to start, take a look at some of the examples above for inspiration.

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