Chemical Engineer resume example & writing guide

What is a chemical engineer?

Chemical engineers apply their knowledge of physics, chemistry, and engineering to design cutting-edge equipment and processes for the manufacture of products. From research and design phases, through to testing and safety management, these talented professionals wear many hats.  

Why use this chemical engineer resume example?

Chemical engineering resumes need to be structured in such a way that your qualifications, skills, experience, and achievements are direct and impactful. Our resume guide and example will help you create a chemical engineer resume that highlights the most important details the right way and that ensure you capture the hiring manager’s attention

The professional summary should be a compelling snapshot of your skills and experience in chemical engineering that sparks the hiring manager’s interest. Recruiters receive a high-volume of resumes, so keeping your profile clear, concise, and impactful will ensure the hiring manager is compelled to read on and review the rest of your resume. Next is the Education section, which is placed prominently so that the recruiter can clearly see your credentials. 

The expertise section showcases your core proficiencies (e.g., product development, technical research, and plant production) and is kept to nine key areas to maximize impact. Placing this section at the beginning of your resume ensures it stands out. Check the job description for specific skills and include competencies that align with your background. These keywords also ensure your resume performs well when parsed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

The professional experience section balances short paragraphs with bullet points of achievements to make the tangible contributions stand out in the initial scan of the resume. Achievements are a key reason this resume example and style guide is on point. 

How to write a great chemical engineer resume

Here are some top tips to creating a strong chemical engineer resume and making sure you get noticed in the candidate pool:

1. While you may be tempted to write a highly technical and detailed professional summary, try to keep this short and sweet. Emphasize the breadth of your chemical engineering expertise, as well as the soft skills that make you an outstanding chemical engineer.

2. Ensure your education section is placed on the first page of your resume so the hiring manager can clearly see you are qualified for the job. This is particularly important if you’re a recent graduate in chemical engineering. 

3. The all-important work experience section follows. Start with your current or most recent job and work back to earlier roles, covering no more than 10 - 15 years of experience. When describing your experience and achievements, use action verbs at the start of each sentence for maximum impact.  

4. Your projects can be bullet-pointed under the relevant role, with a brief outline of your role and any project wins. You can also highlight other achievements in the bulleted list, such as awards, presentations, or additional leadership responsibilities.

5. Most chemical engineers will have professional affiliations, technical skills, and knowledge of various industry-specific methodologies, so these should be listed at the end of the resume. 

6. Proofread your entire resume before you submit your job application. Spelling errors, typos, and grammatical mistakes show a lack of attention to detail, which is not the professional image you want to project.

Which skills are relevant for a chemical engineer resume?

When outlining your skills as a chemical engineer, make sure they are relevant to the job opportunity by checking the job ad. Here are some of the key skills to include in your resume:

• Product development

• Research reporting

• Plant production

• Chemical engineering

• Biochemistry & bioscience

• Process engineering

• Technical research

• Data analysis

• Process optimization