Microbiology Resume Example
Starting a career as a microbiologist gives you the chance to gain experience in conducting lab experiments and preparing scientific reports. A strong resume for microbiologist applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a microbiology resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a microbiology resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your microbiology resume.
Key sections for a microbiology resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your microbiology resume, while there are also a few optional sections you can make use of to strengthen your application.
If you're applying for an entry-level microbiologist role and have limited relevant experience, consider using a skills-based, or functional resume format. The layout emphasizes your skills and education above your work experience. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
When applying for mid-level microbiologist positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your microbiology resume to showcase your depth of relevant work experience, as well as other achievements. Use a reverse-chronological format and add additional sections to prove you're a strong candidate. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Resume Header
A microbiology resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. 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.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
John Long
john.long@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
linkedin․com/in/john–long123
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. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for microbiologist roles.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for microbiologist 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. See below for some great examples of how to approach your microbiology resume.
Good example:
Microbiology Research Scientist with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, possessing extensive experience in conducting microbiological research, performing experiments, and analyzing data. Skilled in aseptic techniques, microbial culturing, and molecular biology methods. Proven ability to manage research projects, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to scientific publications. Adept at using laboratory equipment and software for data analysis, with a strong commitment to maintaining laboratory safety and compliance with regulatory standards
Bad example:
Research scientist with a science degree in a relevant field, having some experience in doing research and experiments. Familiar with techniques for handling samples and working with microorganisms. Able to work on projects and with different teams, and has been involved in writing papers. Knows how to use lab tools and software for looking at data, and cares about keeping the lab safe and following rules
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Work History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your microbiologist skills. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
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.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to microbiologist jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Good example:
Microbiology Research Scientist, January 2022 - Present
Biomicro Innovations Inc, Phoenix
- Published 10 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier microbiology journals, advancing knowledge in antimicrobial resistance mechanisms
- Led a team to develop a novel rapid diagnostic assay for bacterial infections, reducing detection time by 50%
- Secured $1.5 million in grant funding for groundbreaking research on microbial biofilm formation and its implications
Bad example:
Microbiology Research Scientist, January 2022 - Present
Biomicro Innovations Inc, Phoenix
- Conducted research in microbiology to enhance understanding of various biological processes and phenomena
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop innovative solutions in the field of microbiology
- Contributed to scientific projects aimed at improving healthcare outcomes
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Education
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a microbiologist.
A microbiologist role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Science in Microbiology degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your data analysis software or bioinformatics data analysis.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, 2017 - 2020
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Publications and Projects
For microbiology resume, it's important to include sections outlining key projects and publications. For academic disciplines, these are valuable as they show your standing and reputation within your chosen field of expertise. Think about any key projects you've been involved in, and particularly any that are well-known or respected in the industry. Add published works such as books, chapters, journal articles or contributions to mainstream publications, including magazine and newspaper articles.
The two most widely-used citation styles are the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Both of these include variations on author name, year of publication, article title (if necessary), publication name, volume, issue, page numbers and publisher. While the MLA style is more suitable for humanities subjects, APA is the citation style of choice for scientific and engineering subjects. Here's an (APA-style) example publication that you might see included in a microbiologist resume:
%{example-publication}
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a microbiologist role. Skills such as microbial culture techniques or attention to detail are particularly useful for microbiologist jobs. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key microbiologist skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
Highlighting your hard skills
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for microbiologist positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your microbiologist job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the microbiologist role. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a microbiology resume.
- Microbial culture techniques
- Polymerase chain reaction
- Data analysis software
Showcasing your best soft skills
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for a microbiologist position and the organization. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, and can often apply to multiple jobs and industries. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
An effective microbiology resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
Expert Tip:
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a microbiologist. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a microbiology resume:
- ASM Certification Microbiology, 2022
- ABMM Diplomate Certification, 2022
- BIOSafety Professional Certification, 2022
Optional Resume Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a microbiologist resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for microbiologist jobs.
Personal Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world microbiologist experience. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
If you're lacking relevant microbiologist work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Standard microbiologist 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. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References will be available upon request.
Best strong verbs for your a microbiologist resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Analyze
- Culture
- Isolate
- Identify
- Examine
- Quantify
- Interpret
- Synthesize
- Monitor
- Document
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 microbiology resume
The microbiology resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
•
john.long@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/john–long123
Dedicated and detail-oriented Microbiology Research Scientist with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, possessing extensive experience in conducting microbiological research, analyzing microbial interactions, and utilizing advanced laboratory techniques. Proven ability to design and execute experiments, interpret data, and contribute to scientific publications. Adept at working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and maintaining stringent laboratory safety protocols. Committed to advancing scientific knowledge and contributing to innovative research projects
Microbiology Research Scientist
2020
-2022
BioGenix Innovations (Phoenix)
- Developed a novel antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain detection method, reducing diagnosis time by 50%
- Published 10 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, contributing to advancements in microbial pathogenesis and genomics
- Led a $1.2 million NIH-funded project on microbial biofilm inhibition, resulting in two patented technologies
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
2017
-2020
Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
Microbial culture techniques
Polymerase chain reaction
Data analysis software
Attention to detail
Communication skills
Problem-solving abilities
ASM Certification Microbiology
ABMM Diplomate Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a microbiologist resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Use a clear resume format with professional elements, including suitable headings, line spacing, fonts and margins, to make your resume as readable as possible for hiring managers.
- Use reverse-chronological order for your work and education, starting with your most recent employment and education.
- Proofread your resume before sending it, to avoid any unnecessary mistakes that may harm your chances.
- Tailor your resume for each application you send. Review the job description and adapt the content to reflect the specific requirements, including key skills and experience.
- Write a compelling resume summary or objective to introduce yourself and your key microbiologist skills.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't include personal details beyond your name, location and contact details. Adding your age, gender, nationality or a photo can create unwanted hiring bias.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, opt for a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't list unrelated work experience unless you can show you used skills that are valuable to the job you're applying for.
- Don't use unnecessary jargon to try and impress the reader. It may have the opposite effect.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
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. When you're writing your microbiology resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Add each section with clear headings that match the established resume conventions, so ATS software can easily identify each part of your resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
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.
FAQs for a microbiology resume
As well as writing a professional microbiology resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the microbiologist role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
Writing a microbiology resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Select a resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience, such as a functional format. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for microbiologist jobs. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
You can use this example resume headline as a template for creating your own:
- Junior Microbiologist Seeking Growth Opportunities
- Expert Microbiologist and Research Scientist
- Experienced Senior Microbiologist and Researcher
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above 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.
Key takeaways for your microbiology resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
Sources:
(1) Resumes & Cover Letters for PhD Students, Hardvard University: https://careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/161/2024/08/2024-GSAS_phd_resume_cover_letters-1.pdf
(2) Guide to Résumés and Curricula Vitae, National Institutes of Health: https://www.training.nih.gov/documents/16/Guide_to_Resumes_and_Curricula_Vitae.pdf
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