Biomedical engineers have the rewarding responsibility to help others improve their quality of life. They develop technological solutions for medical diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. This career requires knowledge of different fields, such as engineering, medicine, computer science, and biology.
Biomedical engineers perform multiple studies to determine the best way to proceed with a device. For example, an artificial limb has several quality standards that biomedical engineers should achieve. Some of them are functionality, weight, and adaptation. That prosthesis must feel like its own limb. Therefore, it must have a particular weight and move as a human limb would. If the device is too heavy it could lead to other issues in the future.
That’s why a biomedical engineer should design this device based on physics, programming principles, and biology. Your resume should reflect your engineering competencies, so you should prioritize your technical skills.
The demand for biomedical engineers is considerably high, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet, you should implement certain techniques on your resume if you want to differentiate yourself from the competition. Check out our resume tips and templates below.
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Biomedical engineers design, test, and develop innovative technologies for medical devices and tools. They work in several industries, including research organizations, charity institutions, hospitals, and universities. Additionally, they work with multiple professionals in the medical field to discover new medical solutions. That’s why team work is a skill you should demonstrate in your resume.
Biomedical engineers have an excellent job outlook, but they generally choose a specialization to get better job opportunities. Two of the most common areas of expertise are mechanical and electrical engineering. If you have an area of specialization, it is a good idea to tailor your resume to that field. That way you’ll have a better scope of opportunities.
Biomedical engineering is a highly technical career that requires advanced training. That’s why it is crucial to highlight your educational background. According to BLS, biomedical engineers should have a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering.
An entry-level biomedical engineer is a professional with low experience in the field. They perform research, make recommendations, and write technical reports for higher management. Since you may have entry-level experience, you can also highlight your transferable skills on your resume. Competencies like analytical thinking, time management, and data analytics are some of those you can add to your resume.
If you don’t have extensive professional experience in the biomedical field, you can also include your internships or projects where you used relevant skills. This will help potential employers know your competencies and what you can bring to the team.
One of your main responsibilities in this role is to conduct research, which requires strong analytical skills. That’s why you should highlight this ability in your resume. You can include it in the skills section and mention previous experiences in which you use your analytical skills.
Biomedical engineering is a unique blend of biology, medicine, and engineering. As a technical biomedical engineer, you're likely to work on designing and developing medical devices or systems. Notably, the industry is rapidly evolving with technologies like 3D printing and AI shaping the landscape. With this in mind, your resume should reflect your understanding and adaptability to such trends. Your resume mustn't just list your qualifications; it should narrate your story - how your experiences moulded your skills and how you've been proactive in staying updated with such fast-paced industry trends.
As a technical biomedical engineer, your hands-on experience with real-world projects is vital. Describe these projects, the challenges you faced, and how you went about solving them. Show off your problem-solving skills and your ability to think critically under pressure.
Proficiency in biomedical software is a highly sought-after skill in this field. List software you're proficient in, such as MATLAB, LabVIEW, or SolidWorks. This not only shows your technical prowess but also demonstrates your readiness to hit the ground running when hired.
As a Department of Labor representative, we spoke with hiring managers at top biomedical companies like Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott Laboratories to gather insights on what makes a strong biomedical engineer resume. Based on their feedback and our own expertise, we've compiled a list of essential tips to help you craft a compelling resume that will catch the attention of recruiters in this field.
Emphasize your proficiency in key technical skills that are essential for biomedical engineers, such as:
Provide specific examples of how you've applied these skills in your previous roles or projects. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work.
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. While it's not a requirement, a well-written summary can help you stand out to hiring managers by highlighting your most relevant qualifications and experiences. Keep in mind that a summary is different from an objective statement, which is an outdated resume element that focuses on your goals rather than what you can offer an employer.
When deciding whether to include a summary on your biomedical engineer resume, consider your level of experience and career trajectory. If you're an experienced professional or making a career change, a summary can provide context and emphasize your transferable skills. However, if you're an entry-level candidate or have a straightforward career path, you may choose to omit the summary and let your experience speak for itself.
The work experience section is the most important part of your biomedical engineer resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills to real-world projects and made an impact.
To write a strong work experience section for a biomedical engineering role, focus on highlighting your most relevant and impressive accomplishments. Quantify your impact with metrics, showcase your technical skills, and demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively.
Your education section is a critical component of your biomedical engineer resume. It showcases your academic background, specialized training, and relevant coursework. Here are some key tips to help you craft a compelling education section that will catch the attention of hiring managers and demonstrate your qualifications for the role.
Your biomedical engineer resume should have strong action verbs that describe your competencies and achievements. You can implement a list of accomplishments and responsibilities in your previous jobs and start each point with an action verb. Keep in mind that the action verbs you use must be highly related to your field.
Notice how “engineered,” “developed,” or “troubleshooted,” accurately describe your duties. This is a great way to boost your resume and make a good impression in terms of communication. If you need some help finding ideal action verbs for your resume, take a look at the ones we’ve chosen.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
Biomedical engineers must have a combination of biology, engineering, and technology skills. You must integrate these three fields in your resume skills section. That’s why it would be a good idea to include skills like chemistry, physics, programming, and thermodynamics. You should also be familiar with physiology and technological labs.
Keep in mind that most biomedical engineers specialize in a subfield, such as mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. If that is your case, you should tailor your skills section to your area of expertise. If you need more inspiration, check out our selection of skills for biomedical engineers below.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Biomedical Engineer job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
