How to write a great CV as a science graduate

Graduating and looking for your first job in science? Your CV is your opportunity to show employers what you can offer, even if you haven't yet worked in industry.

One of the biggest mistakes we see from science graduates is underselling their experience. You might not have held a scientific job yet, but you've spent years developing valuable technical knowledge, practical laboratory skills and problem-solving abilities. The trick is making sure these stand out on your CV.

Here are our top tips to help you get started.

1. Lead with your education

As a recent graduate, your degree is likely your biggest selling point, so put it towards the top of your CV, ahead of any unrelated work experience.

Include your degree classification (or predicted grade), university, relevant modules and any academic achievements. Most importantly, tell employers about your final-year research project.

What were you investigating? Which techniques and instruments did you use? What did you achieve?

List your education in reverse chronological order (most recent first), and don't feel you need to include every qualification you've ever achieved. Once you've got a degree, employers generally don't need a breakdown of your GCSEs!

2. Be specific about your technical skills

This is particularly important for scientific roles. Employers want to know what you can actually do in the laboratory, not just which subjects you've studied.

Rather than simply listing 'analytical chemistry', for example, detail the techniques you've used, such as HPLC, LC-MS, spectroscopy or sample preparation. Where possible, explain how you've applied these techniques through practical work or research projects.

Include a dedicated technical skills section, using terminology relevant to the jobs you're applying for. This also helps make your CV searchable when employers and recruiters are looking for particular skills.

And don't forget any industrial placements or internships! These are incredibly valuable and deserve plenty of space on your CV.

3. Don't dismiss your part-time jobs

Worked in a supermarket, restaurant or bar throughout university? Include it!

Whilst these jobs might not be directly relevant to science, they demonstrate transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, organisation, reliability and working under pressure.

List your employment in reverse chronological order, focusing on the responsibilities and achievements that demonstrate these skills rather than describing every task you've undertaken.

Employers aren't just recruiting technical skills; they're recruiting someone who will fit into their team.

4. Keep it clear, concise and relevant

For most graduates, two pages is ideal. Use a simple, professional font (such as Arial or Calibri, size 10–12), clear headings, short paragraphs and bullet points to make your CV easy to read.

A good structure would be:

• Personal profile: A brief introduction outlining your degree, interests and career ambitions.

• Education: Your qualifications, relevant modules and research projects.

• Technical skills: The laboratory techniques, instrumentation and software you're familiar with.

• Employment: Placements, internships, part-time jobs and volunteering.

• Interests: A little about you outside of university, including any notable achievements.

Make sure your most relevant information appears on the first page, and tailor your CV to each application. If a role asks for experience with a particular technique you've used during your degree, make sure it's easy to find!

You don't need to include lengthy lists of academic publications, presentations or referee details unless they're relevant to the role. References can simply be made available on request.

And always get someone to proofread your CV. Attention to detail is important in science, so spelling mistakes aren't a great first impression!

5. Be clear about your location and flexibility

Scientific opportunities aren't always on your doorstep. If you're willing to relocate for the right role, say so, ideally specifying which locations you'd consider.

Being flexible about location can significantly increase your opportunities when taking that first step into industry.

6. Use AI wisely

AI can be a useful tool for improving the structure, spelling and clarity of your CV, but don't let it write the whole thing for you.

Generic, AI-generated statements rarely tell employers anything meaningful about you. Your CV should reflect your genuine skills, experience and personality.

Finally, give yourself some credit!

You might be new to the job market, but that doesn't mean you have nothing to offer. Your degree has equipped you with valuable scientific knowledge and skills, and your CV should reflect that.

At VRS, we're scientists ourselves, and we understand the technical experience you've gained throughout your studies. We know that practical laboratory work and university research projects can be just as important as formal employment experience when assessing graduate candidates.

Ready to start your scientific career? Take a look at our latest opportunities or register your CV with us. We'd love to help you take that first step into industry.