How to Write a Resume for a Research Job

Research jobs in areas such as clinical research or market research demand not only the ability to retrieve data, but also the ability to analyze that data and communicate what it means to your organization or anyone else who needs to know. The competition for research jobs is strong. Wowing potential employers with an amazing resume is the starting point on your path to the research job of your dreams.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Place your contact information at the beginning of your resume. Include your name, address, telephone number and an email address that is professional, not humorous or outlandish.

2. State your objective and goals, including how you think you would be an asset to the company or institution. Two or three sentences suffice.

3. List your previous positions in chronological order. Be sure to incorporate accomplishments such as groundbreaking studies or successful projects. Also mark each position as a qualitative research position or as a quantitative research position. Qualitative research focuses on how or why a phenomenon occurs; quantitative research focuses on what the phenomenon is, where it happens and when it happens.

4. If relevant to your specific research job, mention publications you wrote or supported with research. For example, if you are a sociologist, point out your collaboration with a prominent professor on an article in the "American Journal of Sociology."

5. Boast about any awards you have received, special groups you've participated in or projects that had a major impact on your department. Awards and special mentions show your employers (and perhaps outside organizations) value your work.

6. Include your computer skills. If the job posting is looking for someone with experience with a specific software package or skill, be sure to highlight it.

7. Record all schools attended and degrees obtained. Many research jobs require a minimum required level of education.

Tips & Warnings

• Always proofread after each resume revision. Research jobs require attention to detail; so should your resume!
• Prepare at least two references. Even though it's helpful, you don't have to put them in your resume initially. However, hiring managers or recruiters will eventually ask for them.