Wildlife Biologist Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Wildlife Biologist resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Wildlife biologists study the relationships between living things and their environment. They’re often called upon to assess the health of an ecosystem and figure out ways to protect it from destruction or overpopulation. Wildlife biologists can work in government agencies like the EPA or USDA, or in private consulting firms. Some work directly with animals—like researchers at zoos or aquariums—while others work with plants or other aspects of the natural world.
Because wildlife biologists have such a wide range of responsibilities, resumes can be tricky to write. But by following these tips and an example below, you’ll be able to create a resume that highlights your relevant experience and skills.
How to Write a Wildlife Biologist Resume
Here’s how to write a wildlife biologist resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
When you’re writing bullet points, it can be tempting to focus on the tasks and duties you performed. But that’s not always the most effective approach.
Instead, you can use your bullet points to showcase your skills and qualifications. So rather than saying you “conducted surveys,” you could say you “conducted surveys to gather data on population size, distribution, and habitat preferences of endangered species.”
The second bullet point paints a much clearer picture of what exactly you did and the type of work you did. And it also provides some context by mentioning the endangered species involved.
Related What Is a Wildlife Biologist? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a wildlife biologist 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 certain keywords that are relevant to the job. If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right terms, the ATS might not forward it to a recruiter.
The best way to make sure your resume makes it past the ATS is to include relevant keywords throughout all sections of your resume. You can find a list of common wildlife biologist keywords below, but keep in mind that this is just a starting point. You should also take into account the specific duties and responsibilities of the role you’re applying for.
- Wildlife Biology
- Wildlife Conservation
- Wildlife Management
- Wildlife Research
- Conservation Biology
- Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Endangered Species
- Herpetology
- Natural Resources
- Research
- Environmental Science
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Wildlife Law
- Biology
- Ecology
- Wildlife Management Planning
- Habitat Conservation
- Nature Conservation
- Land Management
- Forestry
- Environmental Compliance
- Environmental Compliance Auditing
- Auditing
- Environmental Management Systems
- Environmental Awareness
- Environmental Sustainability
- Environmental Protection
- Environmental Issues
- Environmental Compliance
- Microsoft Access
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Wildlife biologists need to have a strong understanding of the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it. They also need to be proficient in the use of technology, as they often use computers to track data, create models, and conduct research.
Some of the programs and systems that wildlife biologists are typically expected to be proficient in include: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and statistical analysis software.
Related: How Much Does a Wildlife Biologist Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Make It Easy to Scan
There are a few things you can do to make your resume more readable and easier to scan, such as left-aligning your text, using a standard font type and size, and using bullets instead of paragraphs to list your experiences. You should also try to keep your bullets to 2 lines or less, and use digits for numbers. Finally, leave some white space on the page to make the document less overwhelming.
Be Concise
There is no set standard for how long your resume should be, but it is typically recommended to keep it to one or two pages max, especially if you are a recent graduate or have less than five to eight years of professional experience. When editing your resume, try to focus on the most relevant information and trim down any unnecessary details. Additionally, use concise language and avoid filler words to save space.
Check Your Work
Proofreading your resume is an important step in ensuring that it looks its best. There are a few key things to look for when proofreading: spelling mistakes, punctuation mistakes, and grammatical mistakes. It is also important to be aware of easily confused words. Spell-checking your resume is a good way to catch mistakes, but it is important to have someone else read it over as well.
Consider Including a Summary
A resume summary statement can be an extremely useful way to quickly introduce yourself to a potential employer. By highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences, you can show how you would be a perfect fit for the role. Additionally, a well-written summary can help to show how your past experiences have prepared you for the challenges of the future. If you’re looking to make a strong first impression, be sure to include a well-crafted summary statement on your resume.
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