Chemical Engineer Resume Example
Starting a career as a chemical engineer gives you the chance to gain experience in designing chemical processes and optimizing production efficiency. To succeed in your applications for chemical engineer roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional chemical engineer resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
This complete guide to a chemical engineer resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience level. Read on to learn how to write a perfect chemical engineer resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Main sections of a chemical engineer resume
A successful chemical engineer resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate chemical engineer positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
If you're already working as a chemical engineer, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. In your resume work experience section, outline your relevant achievements and showcase the impact you've made in your career to date. Make sure everything you include is relevant to the job description.
For senior chemical engineer roles, you're likely to be competing against highly experienced candidates. Use a reverse-chronological resume format and focus on adding additional information that shows your credentials beyond your work experience. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header and Personal Information
Your chemical engineer resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Be aware of the amount of space your resume header takes up. You don't want your contact details to take space away from the main content of your resume, so keep this section as brief as possible.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Alexander Lee
alexander.lee@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/alexander–lee123
Resume Summary
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for chemical engineer roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your chemical engineer resume summary.
Good example:
Results-driven Chemical Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and extensive experience as a Process Engineer. Demonstrated expertise in process optimization, equipment design, and production efficiency. Proven ability to enhance operational productivity, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Strong problem-solving skills and adept at using advanced engineering software to analyze and improve manufacturing processes
Bad example:
Chemical engineer with some experience in engineering and working with processes. Worked in roles where I looked at equipment and tried to make things run better. Have worked on making operations more efficient and keeping costs down. Focused on following rules and using software to check and improve how things are made. Good at solving problems and making sure everything goes smoothly
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your chemical engineer resume summary.
Work Experience
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a chemical engineer. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Process Engineer, January 2022 - Present
ChemInnovate Solutions, Oakland
- Increased production efficiency by 25% through process optimization and waste reduction initiatives
- Led successful implementation of a Lean Six Sigma project, resulting in annual cost savings of $500,000
- Developed and standardized new manufacturing process, reducing cycle time by 30% and improving product quality
Bad example:
Process Engineer, January 2022 - Present
ChemInnovate Solutions, Oakland
- Improved processes to enhance efficiency and reduce waste
- Led projects to achieve significant cost savings
- Developed new processes to improve quality and reduce time
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant chemical engineer qualifications and educational achievements.
Opportunities as a chemical engineer and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your laboratory safety protocols or process simulation software.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, 2017 - 2020
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for chemical engineer roles. Whether your skills include HYSYS proficiency, attention to detail or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key chemical engineer skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
Listing hard skills on your chemical engineer resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a chemical engineer. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a chemical engineer resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a chemical engineer resume below.
- Process simulation software
- HYSYS proficiency
- Chemical reaction engineering
How to list soft skills on your chemical engineer resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a chemical engineer job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a chemical engineer resume.
- Problem-solving skills
- Time management
- Attention to detail
Licenses and Certifications
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for chemical engineer roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a chemical engineer resume:
- PE License, 2022
- Six Sigma Green, 2022
- PMP Certification, 2022
Optional Sections
In addition to the core sections of a chemical engineer resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies and Interests
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. Your hobbies and interests are useful for a chemical engineer resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your chemical engineer resume. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
Standard chemical engineer resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References can be provided upon request.
Best action words for your chemical engineer resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Design
- Develop
- Optimize
- Analyze
- Troubleshoot
- Implement
- Supervise
- Test
- Innovate
- Evaluate
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example of a chemical engineer resume
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your chemical engineer resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
•
alexander.lee@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/alexander–lee123
Results-driven Chemical Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and extensive experience as a Process Development Engineer. Proven track record in optimizing chemical processes, enhancing production efficiency, and implementing innovative solutions. Skilled in data analysis, process design, and project management, with a strong focus on safety and regulatory compliance. Adept at cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving to drive continuous improvement and achieve operational excellence.
Process Development Engineer
2020
-2022
Innovatech Solutions, Inc (Corpus Christi)
- Spearheaded the optimization project that improved production efficiency by 25%, reducing costs by 15%
- Developed and implemented a new process control system, increasing product quality compliance from 85% to 98%
- Led cross-functional teams in the successful scale-up of a new product, achieving a 30% faster time-to-market
Process simulation software
HYSYS proficiency
Chemical reaction engineering
Problem-solving skills
Time management
Attention to detail
PE License
Six Sigma Green
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a chemical engineer resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Quantify your achievements and show evidence of how you've used your skills to bring positive outcomes in your career to date.
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Use reverse-chronological order for your work and education, starting with your most recent employment and education.
- Include your educational achievements, including any impressive grades. Focus on the most relevant qualifications for the role.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't list work experience that has no relation to the role you're applying for. It wastes space and is unlikely to impress hiring managers.
- Don't use an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
- Don't fill up your chemical engineer resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with chemical engineer applications.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. There are several things you can do when writing your chemical engineer resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
A chemical engineer resume FAQs
After writing your chemical engineer resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the chemical engineer role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write a chemical engineer resume that makes a strong impression on employers. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for chemical engineer positions at first glance. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Aspiring Chemical Engineering Professional
- Innovative Chemical Process Engineer
- Senior Chemical Engineering Specialist
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Takeaways for a winning chemical engineer resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
