How to Write a Resume for a Research and Development Job

Research and development jobs require specific skills such as project management, leadership and process improvement. By writing a detailed research and development resume, you tell employers who you are, where you've been and why you're the right person for the open position. These steps will help you prepare your research and development resume in a snap.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Include your contact information at the top of your research and development resume. Be sure to include both your telephone number and email address; you never know which one the recruiter or hiring manager will use to contact you.

2. Summarize who you are and your career goals. List your objectives in your job search in two or three clear, concise sentences.

3. Record your past positions in chronological order, unless a previous position exhibits experience that's more in line with the research and development job for which you are applying. Highlight outstanding results or product or process improvements.

4. Point out any special skills you have in regards to research and development. Your familiarity with relevant computer software packages or certain types of equipment would go here. For example, a scientist specializing in analytical chemistry might list different types of spectrometers in this section.

5. List the educational institutions you attended, along with areas of concentration, majors and dates you enrolled.

6. Share any awards or special recognitions you received throughout your career.

7. Provide the names of at least two references. Perhaps include quotes about your leadership or project management skills from them as well. Potential employers love evidence like this.

8. Read over and edit your resume meticulously. Attention to detail is not only important in resume writing but in research and development jobs in general.

Tips & Warnings

• Pepper your resume with keywords such as "director," "manager," "process improvement," "product improvement," "development" and "analysis." Words like these fall into the research and development realm.

• Check out sample resumes online. However, it may be tempting to copy them. Don't. The Susan Ireland Resumes Web site has numerous sample resumes to inspire you.