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Beloved science communicator Bill Nye “The Science Guy” once said, “There’s nothing I believe in more strongly than getting young people interested in science and engineering, for a better tomorrow, for all humankind.”

Civil engineers will be quick to agree that civil engineering plays a vital role in shaping society. This discipline of engineering encompasses a number of critical tasks including designing, constructing, supervising, and maintaining the physical and naturally built environment and infrastructure.

As The Guardian points out, people tend to primarily associate civil engineering with the construction of world famous structures. But this represents just one small part of what this profession entails. The other much larger part involves attending to the infrastructure that we depend on every day, such as roads, railways, bridges, energy and water supply, waste networks, and flood defences.

Given how fundamental this role is to society, it’s therefore surprising that the profession’s projected job growth is just over average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s latest projections, employment of civil engineers will grow by 6 percent from 2018 to 2028. This is only 1 percentage point higher than the average for all occupations.

So what does this mean for civil engineers who are currently on the job hunt, gunning for a promotion, or simply want to secure their future in the industry? Your resume needs to be immaculate.

Don’t worry if you don’t know the first thing about improving your resume or making a new one from scratch. Our civil engineer resume writing guide will address everything you need to know. In it, we’ll share our top tips for:

• Selecting the right format and layout
• Showcasing your PE license and additional training
• Writing eye-grabbing achievements
• Captivating the recruiter with your resume objective or summary
• Creating a striking resume with a resume builder

1. Multiple Template Examples

2. How to Write a Job-Winning Civil Engineer Resume

How should you format your resume?

Many candidates who tick all the boxes a recruiter is looking for may be surprised when they receive a dreaded rejection email. They wonder how their resume got rejected when they wrote everything to perfection. While we can’t speak for all of these candidates, there’s a good chance that a good proportion of their resumes were rejected due to subpar formatting.

In the cut-throat recruitment process, every single element of your resume matters – including the format and layout you use. Some candidates try to invent their own format despite that time and time again this has proven to be a recipe for disaster.

It’s well worth keeping in mind that recruiters aren’t looking for creatively formatted resumes. They want to read well-organized resumes that stick to standard guidelines. That’s why we suggest using a reverse-chronological format.

We’re not the only ones who recommend this winning format, either. It’s generally accepted to be recruiters’ preferred format due to the fact that it hones in on your work history. After all, this section gives recruiters the biggest insight into what you bring to the table as a potential employee. In this format, your most recent work experience is featured first, followed by the next most recent one, and so on.

In terms of your layout, we strong recommend upholding the following layout guidelines:

• • Number of Pages: 1 page maximum. 
  • Fonts to Use: Legible fonts that won’t be misread such as Verdana and Didot.
  • Fonts to Avoid: Any font that makes it appear as if you don’t take your application seriously. For example, Bonzai and Dark Crystal.
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides.

• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.

• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size.

As you can see above, these layout rules aren’t complicated. The hard part is ensuring that you’ve implemented them in a uniform way throughout your whole resume.

What are the most important sections to include in your resume?

Each section of your civil engineer resume is a chance to demonstrate how your attributes perfectly align with what a recruiter is searching for. Here are the most important ones you will need to include in your resume:

• Contact information: List your name, address, email address, best contact number, LinkedIn URL, and any other information a recruiter could need to contact you.

• Resume objective or resume summary: Similar to an elevator pitch, these 2 to 4 sentence long sections communicate why you’re the ideal candidate for the job. Only include one or the other.
• Education: A summary of your educational background.
• License and certifications: Details about your PE license (if you have one) as well as any relevant training you’ve undertaken.
• Professional experience: An overview of your most relevant work history. Along with each company’s name and position, include key achievements in a bulleted list.  
• Skills: A list of 6 to 8 skills that have direct relevance to the advertised position.

Pro tip: Including a link to your engineering portfolio in your contact information section will help you stand out. For tips on making one, read this handy guide.

Where should you list your additional training and PE license as a civil engineer and how can you do it correctly?

You already know that you need to list your civil engineering degree/s in your resume’s “Education” section. But where should you correctly list any relevant additional training and your professional engineer (PE) license?

You should list your PE license (if you have one) and additional training in a dedicated “License and Certifications” section. Just make sure any certifications you feature are genuinely relevant to the job you’re applying for!

You will then need to create separate subheadings if you have both licensure and certifications to your name.

For your PE license, create a subheading called “License” and state:

• The license name (i.e. Professional Engineer (PE) License)
• The state you obtained it in
• The year you obtained it

For any training and certifications, create a subheading called “Training and Certifications” and state the following information for each one:

• The name of the training course or certification
• The name of the institution that issued it
• The state you completed it in
• The year you received it

In the end, your license and certifications section should look something like this:

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

License

• Professional Engineer (PE) License, NY, 2017

Certifications

• Geotechnical Engineering Certification, American Society of Civil Engineers, NY, 2020
• Autodesk Certified Professional, Autodesk, NY, 2017

Pro tip: You can put an additional spotlight on the fact that you hold a PE license by featuring it in your resume headline. For example, you could write:

[Your Name]
[Civil Engineer, PE]

What are the technical and interpersonal skills a civil engineer needs?

Civil engineers need to draw on a range of skills in order to effectively complete their work. Many job seekers searching for civil engineering jobs understand that it’s important to highlight their strong technical skills, otherwise known as ‘hard skills’, in their resume to catch a recruiter’s attention.

However, they’re unaware of or dismiss the fact that these skills are just one part of the story. Civil engineers also need to offer a plethora of interpersonal skills (often referred to as ‘soft skills’) in order to be regarded as a strong, well-rounded candidate.

The technical and interpersonal skills you need as a civil engineer will depend on the specific criteria of each job. You can discover what a recruiter is looking for by looking for ‘keywords’ in a given job ad. Keywords are words that indicate what a recruiter is seeking from an ideal candidate.

To determine what skills a recruiter values, you simply need to look for skills-based keywords.

We scanned real-life job ads for civil engineer positions to find some of the most popular skills-based keywords recruiters are using. Check out a selection of the keywords we found:

Technical skills

• Reading and understanding construction drawings
• Preparing designs
• Preparing permitting application packages
• AutoCAD Civil 3D proficiency
• HEC-HMS proficiency
• Calculating project costs based on analysis of collected data
• Ability to use computer assisted engineering and design software 
• Preparing, analyzing, and modifying reports, specifications, and plans
• Ability to interpret tests and aerial photographs 
• Reviewing submittals 

Interpersonal skills

• An analytical mind
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Determination
• Work ethic
• Teamwork skills
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Research
• Creative thinking

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t just use the keywords we featured above in your resume. You will need to scan the job ad of any job you’re interested in to find the keywords that are relevant to that particular job.

Once you’ve identified the keywords in a job ad and have worked out which ones match with your own skill set, you can start adding them to your resume. Be sure to include them in the following 3 sections:

1. “Skills” section: Include 6 to 8 relevant skills in list form.
2. “Employment History” section: Incorporate relevant skills throughout your achievements (refer to the next section to learn how to do this).
3. “Resume Objective” or “Resume Summary” section: Include at least a few relevant skills.

Pro tip: There’s another vital reason why your resume needs to feature keywords: the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). The ATS is a tool recruiters use to field candidates. It works by rejecting or accepting resumes based on a number of factors. One of the most crucial ones is keywords. If the ATS identifies that your resume features little to no keywords, it will be rejected in a matter of milliseconds. So if you want to pass the ATS (and in turn, progress your application), be sure to include the right ones that the recruiter used in job description.

How to highlight your most important achievements

The achievements you feature in your resume’s “Employment History” section should cause a recruiter to take notice. Each and every one should serve as a testament to your suitability for a given role.

With no space to waste, you’ll need to be ultra selective about which ones you highlight. 

Consequently, only your most relevant achievements can make the cut. You can easily work out which are relevant by scanning a job ad for keywords that indicate what attributes a recruiter is seeking from the perfect candidate. You can then create achievements based on the keywords that apply to your professional experiences.

If this all sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the same method we outlined above to find relevant skills. In fact, most of the keywords you identify will be the same ones you listed in your “Skills” section. The primary difference is that by incorporating them into your achievements as well, you’ll be able to expand on how you utilized them.

Now that you know all about using keywords to select achievements, let’s analyze some examples of good and bad civil engineer achievements. For the purposes of this exercise, let’s make the focus keyword, ‘review submittals’.

First, take a look at this uninspiring achievement:

• Thoroughly review submittals to ensure everything is fine for approval.

A recruiter would be disappointed by it for a number of reasons. Not only is this achievement too general, but it also shows that the candidate is doing the bare minimum of what is expected from a civil engineer carrying out this duty.

Another problem with it is that it’s written as a simple statement of fact that they review submittables. A recruiter would be far more impressed if they also highlighted the result their submittal reviews have had, like this candidate did:

• Thoroughly review submittals to ensure they are always in line with the company’s expectations, as exemplified by my identification of a $2 million error.

How much more powerful does this achievement sound thanks to the fact that the candidate quantified it? Instead of merely stating that they review submittals, they showed how skilled they are at doing so by pointing out the huge error they were able to identify. The recruiter would be blown away reading this because it shows that the candidate truly knows what they’re doing when it comes to reviewing submittals.

To sum up, if you also want to ensure your achievements sound equally exceptional, always remember to center them around relevant keywords and provide eye-catching examples to back up what you say.

How to write a resume objective or summary

Your resume should either feature a 2 to 4 sentence long resume objective or resume summary. The former is ideal for entry-level candidates, while the latter is suitable for experienced candidates. Below, we’ll run through all of the details you need to make a perfect one that fits your circumstances.

Resume objective

A resume objective, also called a career objective, is an opportunity for entry-level candidates to summarize why they’re an ideal match for the position. It’s worth including one on your resume as it’s the only section that provides you with the opportunity to connect with the recruiter on a more personal level. It gives you the chance to highlight not only your suitability for the role, but also your career goals.

Before you dive in, keep in mind that there’s a certain art to writing a strong civil engineer resume objective. For example, you won’t want to follow this candidate’s suit:

• Recent civil engineering graduate who is looking for an opportunity to get their foot in the door at The McDonald Group of Civil Engineers. I plan to utilize the relevant skills I hold to ensure I am an asset to the company. 

While this isn’t even the worst civil engineer resume objective we’ve come across, it’s nevertheless completely lacklustre. The most obvious problem is that it’s far too general. The candidate provides a vague description of who they are and what they intend to do should they get the role at The McDonald Group of Civil Engineers.

As you may have noticed yourself, they don’t even specify which skills they plan to utilize – other than saying that they’ll be “relevant”. Consequently, the recruiter isn’t given any indication of what these skills actually are. Moreover, the candidate shares that they plan to be  “an asset to the company,” but they haven’t given the recruiter a single reason to believe this to be true.

What, then, does a great civil engineer resume objective look like? Take a peek yourself: 

• Recent Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from Cal Poly Pomona (3.5 GPA) graduate wishes to bring their analytical thinking skills as well as their ability to confidently use a variety of computer assisted engineering software to a position at The McDonald Group Civil Engineers. As an aspiring civil engineer, I would ensure that I complete all tasks, including analyzing reports, to the best of my abilities. 

This example showcases precisely the high standard you should strive for when writing your own resume objective. Any recruiter would be impressed by it because the attributes the candidate has highlighted work to frame them as an attractive potential employee. This, in turn, gives the recruiter a reason to delve deeper into the candidate’s resume.

For example, the candidate specified which school they received their civil engineering degree from and even highlighted their impressive GPA. They also made known precisely which relevant skills they offer, including both useful soft skills (analytical thinking skills and motivation to succeed) and hard skills (their ability to confidently use a variety of computer assisted engineering software and analyzing reports).

What’s particularly impressive about this resume objective is that it sells the candidate so well that the recruiter may easily forget they’re an entry-level candidate! Despite having no formal work experience as a civil engineer, their resume objective effectively presents them as a highly skilled candidate who would be a valuable employee at The McDonald Group Civil Engineers.

Pro tip: Only mention your GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher.

Resume summary

Also called a summary statement, a resume summary is a way for experienced candidates to differentiate themselves from the other candidates they’re running against. A resume summary is vital because it’s often the gateway to a recruiter reading the rest of your resume.

In order to write one that convinces them to keep reading, rather than move on to the next candidate’s resume, make sure you don’t write a low-quality one like the following candidate did:

• Civil engineer with 5+ years of experience who is seeking a new position at a reputable company like Golden Designs Civil Engineering. I would not only draw on my extensive hard skills in civil engineering, but also my soft skills. 

The problem with this example is that it could be written by just about any civil engineer. The candidate hasn’t put a spotlight on any attributes that would make themselves memorable in the eyes of the recruiter. For example, they state the obvious fact that they’re seeking a position at Golden Designs Civil Engineering, but don’t expand on why the company should be eager to hire them.

Moreover, they share that they would draw on their extensive hard and soft skills in civil engineering if hired, but don’t clarify what these skills are. This is inadvisable to do as it puts the onus on the recruiter to figure out what they are, which is a big gamble, considering most won’t waste the time to do so.

Let’s now take a look at a superior example of a civil engineer resume summary:

• Analytically-minded civil engineer with 5+ years of experience utilizing their proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and strong communication skills to see several multi-million dollar projects to completion. I am to bring my strong attention to detail and excellent mathematical skills to contribute to the great work Golden Designs Civil Engineering is already doing. Currently working towards my PE license.  

A recruiter would consider this to be one of the top resume summaries they read because it clearly outlines why the candidate is worth interviewing. The candidate frames themselves as a civil engineer who boasts a strong balance of soft skills (communication skills and attention to detail) and hard skills (AutoCAD Civil 3D and mathematical skills). They haven’t just stated they have them, either. They’ve quantified them by highlighting that they drew on them to complete “several multi-million dollar projects.”

Another reason this resume summary is so well-written is that the candidate was careful to demonstrate the value they will bring to Golden Designs Civil Engineering if hired. This is notable because many candidates make their resume summaries about what the company can do for them, instead of focusing on what they can do for the company.

One final thing the candidate did right is mention the fact that they’re currently completing their PE. A PE is highly valued by employers, so it’s important to mention yours if you hold one or are working towards it.

How to write a civil engineer resume when you have little or no experience

Rest assured that you’ll be able to write a stunning civil engineer resume even if you have little or no experience. Here are our top 5 tips for entry-level candidates looking to make a positive impression:

• Use a resume format that’s ideal for entry-level candidates: The best resume format for entry-level candidates is a functional resume format. It emphasizes the skills you offer rather than your professional experiences (or lack of them!) so you can let your skill set shine.

• Don’t forget about soft skills: Many entry-level candidates are intimidated by the fact that they don’t have many of the hard skills a recruiter is seeking. That’s why you should instead focus on the soft skills that they’re after.

• Include your internships: If you haven’t worked as a civil engineer yet, any internships you’ve undertaken should take center stage. In your resume, put a spotlight on the most relevant duties you carried out and the skills you had to utilize.

• Highlight any other relevant experiences: Have you taken any freelancing assignments or volunteer roles that required you to draw on some of the relevant skills you possess? We’re guessing that you at least had to demonstrate soft skills such as organization, excellent communication, diligence, and work ethic. Bonus points if you also had to use relevant hard skills!

• Write a cover letter: Writing an impressive cover letter to go along with your resume is sure to leave a positive impression with a recruiter. You’ll be able to provide a more in-depth explanation about why you’re an ideal candidate in your cover letter than in your resume objective or summary. To start, we suggest taking a read of this cover letter writing guide for entry-level candidates.

How to make your resume stand out

Ready to take your resume to the next level? The following 3 tips will help it get there:

• Highlight your promotions: One of the easiest ways to stand out is to highlight any promotions you’ve received. Unfortunately, many candidates don’t end up doing so as they’re unsure how to do so. Indeed explains that there are 3 ways to show a promotion on your resume:

1. Create stacked entries under the same company header for positions with similar duties.
2. Create separate entries under the same company header for positions with different duties.
3. Create two entries under duplicate company headers if you return to a company for a promotion.

As there’s one to suit each circumstance, make sure to read the article to determine which is best for yours.

• Ensure it’s free of fluff: A great civil engineer resume doesn’t only look professional, but it also boasts the necessary substance to catch a recruiter’s eye. This means that fluff or irrelevant information has absolutely no place in your resume. If any information you’ve included looks out of place, there’s a good chance that it’s not necessary to include. Be cut-throat when editing your resume so that it’s squarely focused on the specific job you’re applying for.

• Make sure your resume is 100% accurate: Even if you’d never lie on your resume, it’s still wise to double check that everything you’ve written is 100% accurate. Perhaps you finished your job in May 2020, but accidentally wrote March 2020. Or maybe you wrote the wrong job title. If a recruiter spots a mistake when they’re running a background check on you, they may not believe you just made an innocent mistake.

3. How to Easily Create a Fantastic Resume Using Resumebuild.com’s Efficient Resume Builder

If you’re reading this section, we’re guessing that you’re looking for an easier way to make a fantastic civil engineer resume. This is completely understandable given how convoluted the typical resume making process is.

After all,you’ll usually need to spend at least a couple of hours formatting your resume and getting the layout just right. Then, you’ll need to spend several days writing everything up. And let’s not forget that you’ll probably need to go back and fix any weird formatting errors that cropped up. All in all, it’s an unpleasant process to say the least!

That’s why you may find it worthwhile to use a resume builder to make your resume. In case you don’t know what one is, a resume builder is an online program that guides you through all of the fundamental steps to creating a resume.

The reason we say that they may be worth using is because sadly, there are many that just pump out low-quality resumes that look and sound terrible.

Fortunately, you’ll find that the state-of-the-art one we offer at Resumebuild.com is well worth using. Our team as well as our customers believe that our resume builder is superior to all other offerings because it’s 100% pain-free and super simple to use. It has all of the features you could hope for in a resume builder, including professionally-designed resume templates, job-specific pre-written examples to choose from, and a user-friendly interface.

If you’re interested in using a tried-and-tested method of making a civil engineer resume that is guaranteed to draw recruiters in, use our builder to start building your resume today.

Are you looking to move on up in the world of chemical engineering? Perhaps you’ve been waiting for years for your manager to finally recognize all of your good work. Or maybe you’re simply uninspired at your current job and spend your days waiting for the clock to tick down to home time. 

Whatever your reasons for wanting more from your career, you’ll need a strong chemical engineer resume to get you there.

Needless to say, a well-composed resume is the ticket to a great job in any profession. But it’s a particularly important document for chemical engineers considering that job growth in the sector isn’t exactly booming. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028. This certainly isn’t dismal, but it’s just one percentage point higher than the average for all occupations. 

Don’t worry if your resume is currently looking a bit scrappy… or if the last time you updated it was basically when Robert S. Langer got his start as a chemical engineer. We’ve compiled all of our very top tips for making a winning resume in this handy 2020 chemical engineer resume writing guide.

If you’re wondering why you should spend time reading this guide, the short answer is that it will help you snag the chemical engineer job you’ve always dreamed of. After all, spending your life in a job that you don’t have your whole heart in is never a good idea! You deserve to feel fulfilled at work, especially given that it’s estimated we each spend an average of 90,000 hours at work over our lifetimes. That equates to one-third of our lives!

So what can you expect to read? Our guide features all of the useful information and expert pointers you need to craft an amazing resume including:

• The right resume format to use to fit your particular circumstances 
• Which technical and interpersonal skills are worth emphasizing
• What an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is and how to effectively beat it
• Expert tips for featuring your education as well as training and certifications
• An easier way to make an explosive chemical engineering resume

1. Multiple Template Examples

2. How Do You Write a Chemical Engineer Resume That Will Get You the Job?

How should you format your chemical engineer resume?

Let’s start off this resume writing guide by discussing one of the most underestimated features of any good resume: a strong format. The format you select is incredibly important because it will impact two major factors:

1. The order in which a recruiter reads each section of your resume.
2. The overall perception a recruiter has of your job application.

Considering how critical these factors are to the success of your job hunt, there’s no room for error when it comes to selecting a resume format. 

Don’t worry, doing so is actually very straightforward once you know which one is most suitable for your situation. Below, we’ve shared a simple guide to determining the right one for you:

• If you’re an entry-level chemical engineer, select a functional resume format. This format positions your skills and abilities front and center to divert attention away from your inexperience. 
• If you’re an experienced chemical engineer, select a reverse-chronological resume format. This format positions your work history front and center in your resume. It also orders each role from most to least recent. In effect, these two features help to draw attention to the fact that you’re a candidate with plenty of professional experience.

Before we share all of our insider secrets for writing a stunning chemical engineer resume, there’s one more matter we need to draw your attention to. Below, we’ve included the standard layout guidelines that we strongly recommend you follow when piecing together your resume. 

To clarify, these guidelines don’t just represent our own preferences – they have been devised to reflect the general expectations HR personnel have when it comes to a resume’s layout. Follow them, and you’ll be giving recruiters precisely what they’re after. 

• • Number of Pages: 1 page at most.
  • Fonts to Use: A font that not only recruiters can read without a problem, but also one that can be easily processed by the ATS. For example, Calibri or Arial.
  • Fonts to Avoid: Any fonts that wouldn’t be appropriate to use when typing up a lab report, such as Ways to Say Goodbye and DJ Fiddlesticks. 
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides.

• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.

• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size.

What will recruiters look for?

When you get started on your chemical engineer resume, you’ll need the right elements in place. Essentially, you’re looking for a catalyst to spark the recruiter’s interest.

Recruiters will be looking for chemical engineer candidates that are knowledgeable in the field, bring a wealth of experience, have a professional outlook, and great communication skills. Within your resume, you’ll need to tick all of the above boxes. 

Chemical engineers are responsible for developing processes using science to support various industries. Much of the time, this role falls into one of two categories; design, manufacturing, and operating of machinery, or the ongoing development of substances and materials. Make sure to choose your specialization before applying for roles.

Whichever type of chemical engineering role you’re going for, the HR team will be looking for a set of technical and interpersonal skills. For this reason, it’s integral to highlight your abilities in problem-solving, project management, or the use of advanced IT, among other skills.

Pro tip: Speak the recruiter’s language. They may not be familiar with chemical engineering. State what certain terms mean, when possible. For example, if you say you’re an expert in ‘filtration’, explain that you mean passing liquids through a filter.

How do you get your resume past ATS?

Twenty years ago, you’d write your resume, send it off, and it would land in the hands of the recruiter. It was a simpler time. However, as the technological world advances, so does the way companies recruit candidates. Chances are, when you send out your resume, it will need to get through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) first. 

If you’re aiming high, there’s something you should know: 98% of Fortune 500 Companies use ATS when recruiting. Understanding what an ATS is and how you can get your resume past it will give you the best chance of success. Let’s start with the basics.

An ATS is a type of software that manages incoming applications for a company. Before passing the resumes onto a human, such as a recruiter, the system scans each of them looking for specific keywords and criteria. Essentially, it makes a recruiter’s job easier by presenting them with the very top candidates for a given role. 

There’s just one problem…These computer-based systems aren’t perfect. Since they search for specific keywords, some stellar applications slip through the cracks. It’s your job to stop that from happening with your own resume. 

Fortunately enough, there’s a way to beat the software. First things first, look at the language used in the original job posting. Take a moment to note down the exact phrases and keywords it uses. Next, edit your existing resume to match this wording. That way, the text used in your chemical engineer resume will match the keywords that the ATS is searching for. In turn, this will help to ensure your application gets past the system.

What technical and interpersonal skills does a chemical engineer need to excel?

Next up, let’s talk about the skills a recruiter is looking for in a chemical engineer. Avoid overloading your “Skills” section. While you may have an endless list in your mind, stick to around 6 to 8 skills. Remember, always put quality before quantity. 

When a recruiter takes their first glance at your resume, they’ll be looking for two types of skills: technical and interpersonal. Want to present yourself as the whole package? You’ll need to offer a mix of both skill sets. Show the recruiter that you’re more than just a scientific whiz kid. Highlight how you’re also the go-to person when it comes to dealing with people. 

At this stage, you need to refer back to the job advertisement. It’s a treasure trove of skills-related information you need to make the right impression. To get an idea of the skills you should include, take a look at the skills listed in the posting. The closer you can get to that list, the better your chances of landing a job interview will be. 

Need some inspiration? Here are some suggestions of the technical and interpersonal skills you may include in your chemical engineer resume in addition to the skills you identify in a given job ad: 

Technical skills

• Technical design 
• Complex problem solving 
• Process testing 
• Project management 
• Operations analysis 
• Quality control analysis 
• Knowledge of physics
• Design skills 
• Process safety management (PSM)
• IT skills

Interpersonal skills

• Time management 
• Active listening 
• Communication skills
• Dedication 
• Trustworthiness 
• Coordination 
• Negotiation 
• Approachability 
• Teamwork skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively

How do you list your education?

It’s no easy feat to become a chemical engineer. According to the BLS, you’ll need to typically study for 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field. You’ll not only need to engage in standard college coursework, but also laboratory and field studies.

If you’re a particularly high-achiever, you may even enroll in a 5-year engineering program to earn a master’s degree in addition to your bachelor’s degree. 

So how do you ensure your educational achievements don’t simply blend in with the rest of your resume? Create a well-organized “Education” section. Recruiters prefer this section to be simple and easy to read, so make sure to feature only the most critical details about your educational background.

To be clear, you only need to include the following details in list form for each of your degrees or diplomas: 

• Title of the degree or diploma
• Name of the educational institution you studied at
• The state the educational institution is located in
• The years you studied 

You can refer to the following example in order to correctly fill out this section:

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, PA, 2016 - 2020 

Pro tip: If you graduated with a GPA of 3.5 or above, don’t be shy about making it known! You should most definitely feature this amazing achievement in this section. If you’re an entry-level chemical engineer, you can also mention it in your “Resume Objective” so that you can immediately capture a recruiter’s attention. 

How to write a resume objective (including examples of it)

New to the chemical engineering game? If you can recall donning your graduation cap in the last year, you should make sure to write a “Resume Objective” section. You should also write one if you have a few years or less of professional experience in the industry.

Since you will only have limited experience (if any at all), your resume objective will serve as a snippet of your goals. It should primarily include information about your education, relevant skills, and any additional achievements you’ve gained that a recruiter would be interested to learn about. 

You’ll find it helpful to note down some ideas before working on your resume. Rack your brains to find the nuggets of information that will attract a recruiter. Ask yourself the following questions to get off to a strong start: 

• What is it that makes you special? 
• What achievements have you gained that give you the edge? 
• What are your main goals?

When you’ve done that, it’s time to put your fingertips to the keyboard and get writing. Here’s a quick tip: Ask not what the company can do for you, but what you can do for the company. Focusing on what you want out of your career may seem natural, but it’s a sure-fire way to turn a recruiter off. For example, here’s what you shouldn’t write: 

• Recent Chemical Engineer BSc graduate seeking a fulfilling role in a large-scale manufacturing business. Currently looking to further build my process analysis and troubleshooting skills with the aim of climbing the professional ladder. What I lack in experience I make up for in determination to succeed. 

The above resume objective is highly unlikely to pique a recruiter’s interest. For one thing, the entire statement is geared toward what the candidate can gain from this role. That’s mistake number one but, unfortunately, the sequence of errors doesn’t end there.

The second sentence suggests that the candidate would be fast to move jobs in hope of a speedy progression. That’s a major red flag for recruiters. It gives the impression that the candidate would use the role as a training opportunity before jumping ship. Last but not least, the final sentence says very little while coming across as a bit pretentious. Wrong, wrong, and wrong again! 

Let’s scrap the above attempt and move on. If you want to engage the recruiter, tell them what you have to offer the company while setting out your skill set. For example, the following resume objective is simple yet extremely effective: 

• Chemical Engineering BSc graduate with a deep interest in the pharmaceutical industry. Previous achievements include managing group projects during college, taking a lead on analysis, and sustaining a top 10% rank in classes. Seeking a role within a pharmaceutical company in which I can learn while supporting the team in developing streamlined systems and continually analyzing ongoing processes.

Can you spot the difference between the two examples? This resume objective tells the recruiter everything they need to know. The candidate is clear about their professional intent, which directly aligns with the company they’re applying to work for. As they don’t have any professional experience yet, they instead refer to their college experience and impressive achievements there.

Aside from that, the candidate directly states what role they hope to take within the team. They make it clear that they plan to learn on the job but also set out their goals that will benefit the overall business. All of the above makes them a far more attractive option for recruiters than the previous candidate. 

Pro tip: If you find it hard to identify what makes you special as a candidate, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion! Ideally, you can talk to someone who knows you professionally. For instance, you could ask a former lecturer to give you some tips you can use as a starting point.

How to write a resume summary (including examples of it)

The “Resume Summary” section is suited to people with experience in the industry. On the other hand, if you’re fresh out of college, you’ll need to write a “Resume Objective” section instead. 

Ready to create a chain reaction? When a recruiter takes a peek at your chemical engineer resume, their eyes will be particularly drawn to one section: Your resume summary. This section is your time to shine and show off your best attributes. Recruiters spend an average of five to seven seconds looking at each resume so keep things short, snappy, and engaging!

While you can ramble on about your skills, experience, and what you’ll bring to the role, sometimes less is more. Aim to write between 2 and 4 sentences for this section. Cover the highlights of your chemical engineer resume. Think of this like the blurb for an action-packed movie. What can the recruiter expect when they watch the whole thing?

Don’t make the biggest mistake here. Since the world of chemical engineering is varied, you have to be specific. Using vague and general terms will get you nowhere fast. For example, the following resume summary leaves way too much to the imagination: 

• Chemical engineer with over three year’s experience working within a professional department. My team was responsible for designing and operating machinery to support the company processes. Experienced in process analysis, project management, troubleshooting, and problem-solving. 

Put simply, the above resume summary could describe any chemical engineer candidate. This statement lacks any specifics or details. A recruiter would take one look at it and dump the resume in the ‘no’ pile. To add insult to injury, the language used in these lines is bland and shows no enthusiasm. 

So, how can you craft a resume summary that packs a real punch? Sprinkle in some juicy details and let your experience talk for itself. Combine that with some powerful adjectives and you’ve got a recipe for success. Here’s an example that highlights how to do this:

• Highly-efficient chemical engineer with experience in the waste removal field. Previous professional achievements include designing and operating innovative machinery which streamlined company processes by 16%. Experience working with a close team of waste removal experts. Additional skills include technical troubleshooting, excellent communication, and project management. 

The above resume summary is a show-stopper. Tailored to the company that the candidate is applying to, the statement details the candidate’s experience in that area. Aside from that, it quantifies their achievements using percentages. When a recruiter looks at this statement, they can quickly see how valuable the candidate is.

Pro tip: Saying you’re “highly-efficient” or “excellent” will catch the recruiter’s attention. Chemical engineer resumes will often use bland and direct language. Stand out from the crowd but make sure you can back-up any claims with facts.

How do you list any additional details, like certifications and training?

Got some extra achievements you want to shout about? Don’t worry, there’s room for them on your chemical engineer resume. Each one you feature should at least be related to chemical engineering. However, it’s most ideal if you have one or two that are directly relevant to the given job you’re applying for.

So where should you include your relevant additional training or certificates? Typically, you should include them within a “Training and Certificates” section in a bullet-point format. 

For instance, if you completed an optional Project Management course in a previous role, you can list it in this section. However, make sure to avoid adding too much detail. The following information is adequate to include for each one:

• The title of the training course or certification
• The name of the institute that administered it
• The state you completed it in
• The year/s you completed it 

That means your “Training and Certifications” section should definitely not end up looking like this:

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS 

• Completed a Project Management course from L.A. Institute between 2014 and 2015. The course consisted of three classes over two semesters and included training on how to lead a team project successfully. 

The above description is full of fluff that the recruiter doesn’t need to read. Make their job simple by cutting to the chase and giving them only the essential details. With this in mind, we rewrote the previous training and certifications section. As you’ll see, it’s tenfold easier to read:

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS 

• Project Management Course, L.A. Institute, 2014 - 2015

How can you target your resume for each application?

You’re a busy person, but that doesn’t mean you can fire out the same resume to fifty different employers. Be sure to tailor your chemical engineer resume to suit the company for which you’re applying. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all technique, be specific in your targeting. 

Before hitting ‘send’, tweak your resume to ensure it suits the requirements of the given company and role. Highlight the skills that the company is asking for within the job posting. As previously mentioned, you should also use the same type of language used in the respective job ad. 

Take the time to research each company and understand their goals and values. If you can align your resume to suit their outlook, you’ll instantly boost your chances of success. 

So grab your detective hat and monocle and get started. 

While you don’t need to do a deep dive into the history of the company, be sure to look for the basics. What are the company’s aims? What’s its mission statement? What are its central processes? 

All of the above will give you clues about what the company and recruiter are looking for in an ideal candidate. When you’ve done your research, you will have the information you need to ensure your resume conveys not only what attributes you offer, but also what you can do for the company in question. 

Pro tip: Should you make it to the interview stage, you’ll need to delve deeper into the company when doing your research. Interviewers love nothing more than to test candidates’ knowledge of their company, so it’s vital to remember a few company-related facts to avoid being caught out. If you really want to impress, you may wish to go a step further. For example, you can look for holes in their current system and suggest any viable solutions you could offer. 

How do you make your resume stand out?

At the time of writing, there are only around 1100 jobs on LinkedIn for chemical engineers in the United States. That’s not a whole lot of jobs to go around, is it? Especially when you consider that most will probably not even be located in your state. That means it’s crucial to go the extra mile to make sure your resume genuinely stands out. Here are our experts’ top tips for making this happen:

• List any relevant publications you have to your name: Not every chemical engineer will have relevant publications to their name. So if you do, including them on your resume is a surefire way to stand out! Keep in mind that you should only include publications that have a substantial connection to the job you’re applying for, or at the very least are relevant to chemical engineering in general.
  
  If you have the space to do so, you can include key details about each one in a dedicated “Publications” section. Alternatively, you can mention one or two in your resume objective or summary.
• Avoid fluff at all costs: As a chemical engineer, you’ll know full well of the importance of precision in your line of work. While their job couldn’t be more different, recruiters similarly value this quality, particularly when it comes to resumes.
  
  They much prefer to take the time to read resumes that are clear, concise, and 100% fluff-free. So if you want your resume to stand out, remember to be precise in your wording and avoid adding any extra words for the sake of it!
• Ensure your resume holds up however it’s viewed: One of the biggest errors a surprising number of candidates make is that they forget to check if their resume will retain its appearance when viewed in different programs or printed off. This is a simple but fatal mistake to make because it can lead to the downfall of even the most brilliantly-written resume.
  
  Think about it. A recruiter isn’t going to waste their time trying to decipher a resume that became misaligned and/or unreadable simply because they opened it up in Google Docs rather than MS Word.

These types of issues often crop up when a candidate uses a non-standard font, images, or a poorly-made resume template to make their resume. Using them can also cause problems with the ATS, so it’s best to avoid doing so altogether. If you want to ensure you don’t encounter such problems, your safest bet is to opt for a trusted ATS- and HR-friendly resume format.

3. How to Make an Explosive Chemical Engineer Resume Using Resumebuild.com’s Resume Builder Tool 

If you were to ask 100 job seekers to share what they dislike most about job hunting, the majority would be quick to say something about getting their resume in order. This task is crucial to take care of, given that it’s usually the only ‘in’ you have at a company.

But at the same time, it’s an unpleasant experience all round. Not only does making a resume from scratch take several days to complete, but it’s also very boring to do so! After all, whose idea of fun is it to write line after line about themselves? 

And let’s not forget the fact that this isn’t a task that you can do one time and be over with. As we explored above, it’s vital to target your resume for each application. As such, no two resumes you submit should ever be the same. That means that even once you finish making your resume, you’ll need to spend hours continually customizing it to suit each and every job you apply to. 

Truth be told, we think that job seekers simply don’t have the time nor energy (let alone the motivation!) to do all of this alone. It was this realization that encouraged us to rethink how job seekers create their resumes. Our revolutionary resume builder is the culmination of countless hours of research into how to make the resume creation process as easy, quick, and pleasant as possible. 

Should you give it a go for yourself, you’ll see that you don’t need to dedicate days or even hours to make a job-winning resume. Believe it or not, you can even make your chemical engineer resume in only a couple minutes using it! Our builder’s streamlined design, as well as handy features like job-specific pre-written examples and ready-made resume templates, make this a reality.

So what are you waiting for? Get hired sooner rather than later by making your chemical engineer resume at ResumeBuild.com.