Featured Resume Example
This research assistant resume sample focuses on the candidate’s experience. Read on to find more examples of resumes in biology.
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Cover Letter Examples for Biology Jobs
Job Outlook
Biology is a broad field, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the following decrease and increases in job openings across these career tracts.
- Biochemists/Biophysicists: 7% job growth with an estimated 2,800 annual openings until 2032.
- Biological Technicians: 5% job growth with an estimated 110,600 job openings annually until 2032.
- Microbiologists: 5% job growth with an estimated 1,700 job openings annually until 2032.
- Wildlife Biologists: 3% job growth with an estimated 1,500 job openings annually until 2032.
With such optimistic employment odds on the horizon, it’s important to know how to write a persuasive resume that targets the immediate needs of a job opening. The following biology resume tips and science-specific skills can help you.
3 Tips for Writing Biology Resumes
How to pick the right format for your experience level.
Biology includes a wide range of career tracts and academic requirements, so your resume format will change depending on your level of experience and education and the advertised responsibilities of the open job. However, you can use the following guidelines to decide which resume format works best for your application.
- Management-focused jobs: Leadership-based biology jobs require years of experience — use a timeline-based resume format like the hybrid or chronological resume. These resume formats focus on your work history, previous jobs and promotions to chart the gradual growth of your responsibilities and management skills. Choose the hybrid resume if you have less than 10 years of experience or the chronological resume with over 10 years.
- Research or laboratory-focused jobs: Since these hands-on jobs require intensive training and education to test and document results accurately, use a skills-based resume like the functional resume. Create dedicated skills sections based on your lab, research, testing and data documentation skills.
Use biology-focused skills
Although hiring managers are interested in interpersonal soft skills, you should tailor your resume to the needs of the job. Look through the job description for specific requests or biological specialties and add your matching training. Check out this list of biology skills to add to your biology resume example.
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Cell culture
- Data analysis
- Field research
- Genetic analysis
- Laboratory project management
- Laboratory techniques and maintenance
- Microscopy
- Molecular biology
Use a professional template
Use a professionally designed resume template to help organize your information; otherwise, all the important data will be lost or dismissed.
Our Resume Builder and free resume templates use strategic resume sections, headings, and margins to help prevent eyestrain, maximize page space and accurately share information with applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Biology Resume FAQ
What should I put on my resume for biology?
Your biology resume should include:
- Resume objective or summary: Some hiring managers only spare six seconds on your resume. This introduction pitches one or two impressive skills or achievements to capture their interest during those vital seconds.
- Work experience: Describe your past jobs, including relevant experience with bioinformatic tools, cell culture or genetic analysis.
- Skills section: Add key technical skills like laboratory techniques, molecular biology, data analysis or field research.
- Education: Emphasize relevant biology degrees, graduate programs, or laboratory internships.
Optional sections: List relevant scientific articles, publications or presentations you worked on.
What are the best jobs in education?
There is no single “best” job in education. Really, the quality of the job just depends on if it’s the right fit for your needs and interests to find it rewarding.
Some people would rather work with children, while some would prefer working with adults. Others are natural and comfortable as teachers when they have to hold the attention of a full classroom all day, while some prefer dealing with students in a one-on-one setting, like as a counselor. None is better than the other, it’s all just a matter of preference.
Not to mention, different roles in education tend to come with different amounts of training and certification requirements. For instance, high school teachers tend to make more money than elementary school teachers, but they also need more extensive education.
Should I include a cover letter with my biology resume?
Yes, you should include a cover letter. A resume quickly outlines your skills, accomplishments and job growth. A cover letter can expand on this summary — you can express your passion for biology, focus on a key skill and additional accomplishments, or explain how you can fit within the current team or project.
This personalized introduction can help you leave a positive, persuasive impression on hiring managers and win an interview. Try our award-winning Cover Letter Builder.