How to write a professional natural sciences student resume

The natural sciences – like chemistry, biology, and physics – are essential fields of study that help us better understand the natural world around us. As a natural sciences student, it is essential to have a resume that not only showcases your understanding of the scientific field but also your abilities and talents within it.

In this guide, we will discuss 5 key elements to include on a natural sciences student’s resume. Keep reading to learn all about:

• Choosing the correct resume format as a natural sciences student
• Writing a resume summary as a natural sciences student
• Selecting key natural sciences skills to include on a resume
• Describing your work experience as a natural sciences student
• Listing your education as a natural sciences student

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1. Choose the correct resume format as a natural sciences student

The first big decision to make when writing a resume is what format to use. As a current student, you may have a varying level of formal work experience, which can affect which format is best for you.

Here is a breakdown of the 3 main types of resume formats:

1. The Reverse-Chronological Resume: This format is focused almost entirely on work experience, listing your most recent job first and working backward from there. While this format is often the standard expected by most employers, it is only effective when you have an adequate amount of relevant work experience to describe.
2. The Functional Resume: The functional resume removes the focus from work experience and places it instead on education, skills, and unpaid experience. This is often the best format for current students, as it allows you to focus more heavily on your academic experience and achievements.
3. The Hybrid Resume: The hybrid resume is a combination of the reverse-chronological and functional formats, spreading out the focus of the document between all sections. This resume is a good choice for applicants who have a mix of both academic and professional experience.

As you progress further into your scientific career, you may find yourself in need of a longer-form resume that details your entire academic and professional history. This is known as a Curriculum Vitae, or CV, and is used when applying for high-level positions in science or academia.

Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

2. Craft an eye-catching resume summary as a natural sciences student

A resume summary is a brief introductory statement at the beginning of a resume. In this statement, applicants should strive to include compelling details that catch the eye of potential employers and help them to stand out from the competition.

To better illustrate how to write an effective resume summary as a Natural Sciences Student, here is an example of a weak summary, followed by a correction and explanation:

Why is this incorrect?

Whenever you write a resume summary, you want it to be as specific and attention-grabbing as possible. Think of it as a narrative hook – your summary should be a compelling statement that encourages employers to read on. This example could be significantly improved with better and more quantifiable details, such as the applicant’s university name and the specific name of the award they won.

Why is this correct?

In this example, the applicant is far more precise with the details they provide. Not only do they name the university they attend, but they also give more formal titles for their degrees and the exact name of the award they received. Additionally, they are more specific when discussing their experience as a lab assistant and supervisor.

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3. Select key natural sciences skills to include on your resume

Anytime you write a resume – and no matter which discipline it is for – it is always crucial to include an array of both technical and interpersonal skills.

Technical skills refer to your learned abilities gained through education and training, such as the ability to conduct experiments or analyze data.

Interpersonal skills, comparatively, refer to abilities that can be both inherent and learned that deal with how you interact with other people and the world around you.

Here are 10 examples of both technical and interpersonal skills that look great on a natural sciences student’s resume:

4. Describe properly your work experience as a natural sciences student

As a student, you may not yet have a plethora of work experience examples to showcase on your resume.

However, even if you have worked jobs that are not directly related to your field of study, you can still showcase your transferrable skills and work ethic in your work experience section. Additionally, you can include internship positions to help fill out your work experience section more.

5. Make your natural sciences student education section stand out

When listing your educational credentials while still in school, it is critical to indicate on your resume that your degree is ongoing and what your expected date of graduation is.

Additionally, your education section is where you should list any notable academic achievements, such as membership in honor societies or inclusion on a university’s Dean’s List.