Chemical Engineer Resume: Sample and Full Writing Guide [20+ Tips]

Chemical Engineering Resume Sample

Are you sure you need a chemical engineering resume? See our guides:

• Civil Engineering Resume Sample & Guide
• Electrical Engineering Resume Sample & Guide
• Engineering Resume Sample & Guide
• Mechanical Engineering Resume Sample & Guide

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Sample Chemical Engineer—See more templates and create your resume here.

Here’s how to write a chemical engineer resume that gets jobs:

1. Pick the Best Chemical Engineer Resume Format

Chemical engineers design and develop chemical processes in the manufacturing industry. They use chemistry, physics, biology, and other sciences to solve problems through chemistry in multiple industries. A chemical engineer resume should show skills in problem solving, IT, and project management.

Attention!

Disorganized chemical engineering resumes wind up in the waste stream.

So—

Begin with a professional resume layout.

The most effective resume format is the chronological resume type.

For the right formula:

• Start with a resume header template that puts all your contact info in easy reach.
• Write your name on a resume just above your title.
• What are the main sections of a resume? Header, summary, work experience, education, and your skills.
• Use good resume fonts like Noto, Dido, and Cambria.

Pro Tip: The best resumes use PDF formats because PDFs don’t change on different machines. Does the online job announcement say “no PDFs?” Then use MS Word.

2. Write a Chemical Engineer Resume Objective or Resume Summary

Warning.

The hiring team will gloss over your chemical engineering resume

Unless—

You create a compelling resume summary statement.

That’s a short elevator pitch of yourself, including:

• A couple adjectives (perceptive, detail-oriented)
• Title (Chemical Engineer)
• Years of experience (2+, 5+)
• Goal (deliver out-of-the-box solutions)
• Skills accomplishments with measures (Raised throughput 25% through process design)

Writing a resume for college students with no experience?

Start with an objective in your resume.

They’re similar to summaries, but—spotlight transferable work abilities in a chemical engineer resume for freshers. (Example: as a restaurant supervisor, you led a team of 6 employees.)

Pro Tip: Here’s how long a resume should be for chemical engineering jobs: a single page, unless you’re more accomplished than Marie Curie.

3. Bind Your Resume to the Chemical Engineer Job Description

Disaster.

They hired someone else for that chemical engineering job.

Why?

They found a “better fit.”

The truth is, you were the best, but you didn’t show relevant work experience in your chemical engineer resume.

In your experience section:

• Use the right job titles. If they want a “Chemical Process Engineer” use that.
• Pick the right achievements to put on a resume for chemical engineering jobs. Do they want waste stream management? Tell about a time you improved that.

Pro Tip: What are the right words to use on a resume? Choose power words like slashed, trained, designed, increased, and created.

4. Catalyze Your Chemical Engineer Resume Education Section

You know your chemical engineering resume needs an education section.

But did you know most people make it wrong?

That’s great news for you.

It gives you a chance to outshine the rest.

You already know to list your school’s name and your degree. You know to add years of attendance, too.

But did you know to use the space to offer more proof of the skills they’re looking for?

Example: they need a chemical engineer skilled in process design, and—

You were passionate about process design coursework.

Pro Tip: Does education on a resume for chemical engineers need GPA info? If it’s 3.8 or above, or if it’s recent, list it. If not, use the space for something that’ll wow them.

5. List Chemical Engineer Skills in Your Resume

You need skills on a resume for chemical engineer jobs:

Chemical Engineer Resume Skills

Start with technical skills in your resume:

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biology
• Mathematics
• IT
• Project management
• Process design
• Resource management
• Working with factory workers
• Testing materials
• Equipment configuration design
• Production optimization
• Management

But don’t skimp on soft skills:

• Leadership
• Interpersonal skills
• Oral and written communication
• Organizational skills
• Problem solving
• Creative thinking
• Decision making
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Collaboration
• Computer skills
• Efficiency
• Active listening
• Self motivation

Pro Tip: There’s no hard vs soft skills debate for chemical engineering resumes. You need a list of each. Then you need to prove each with experience in your resume bullets.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.

Create my resume now

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

6. Add “Other” Sections to Your Chemical Engineer Resume

Don’t look inert.

Write bonus sections for your chemical engineer resume.

Suggestions:

• Activities
• Commendations
• Conferences
• Publications
• Work associations like ACS
• Appearances in the media or on podcasts
• Work projects
• School projects
• Freelance work
• List of interests
• Awards
• Sports or fitness
• Volunteer experience on a resume

Include language proficiency levels on a resume in your skills list if they’re critical to the job.

Pro Tip: Here’s how to mention certifications in a resume for chemical engineering jobs: List them in a dedicated section underneath your “Education” section.

7. Send a Cover Letter With Your Chemical Engineer Resume

Are cover letters necessary?

Yes.

More recruiters will read your chemical engineering resume if you attach a letter.

But you need to know how to write an application letter that gets them on your side.

To format a cover letter, use these steps:

• Start strong in your chemical engineering cover letter opening paragraph. Mention your biggest achievement that showcases a skill they want.
• Next, show you understand the role they’re offering, and that you fit.
• Last, know how to end a cover letter with a bang. Ask for the interview and say what they’ll get out of it. (Example: you’ll tell how you raised throughput 25%.)

Is your cover letter too long? Stick to half a page.

Send a follow up email after sending a resume for chemical engineer positions—not just once, but each week.

That’s it!

That’s how to write a chemical engineer resume.

Does your chemical engineer resume seem unstable? Be honest: do you think it will convince them to interview you? If not, why not? Give us a shout in the comments. We’d love to talk!