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A validation specialist is someone who measures instruments and/or software to ensure the tool is performing as expected. They will often develop, establish and maintain a regulated protocol for the testing of instruments. A validation specialist also takes performance data and compares it to the established criteria to ensure the product is falling within an acceptable level.
Someone who is a validation specialist will often have a background in engineering, analytics, or data science. A bachelor’s degree is highly recommended for the role, though substantive experience may supplement a degree in some cases. Hiring managers will be looking for candidates with related experiences in the field, such as roles as a test analyst, IT associate, data entry specialist, and more.
Many companies employ validation specialists. The role will have different duties and must-have competencies depending on the industry. It’s wise to identify one or two industries you’re interested in working for, and build your resume around that. For example, if you want to work in a healthcare setting, then you should highlight relevant experience and knowledge you have specific to the industry.
To jumpstart your career as a validation specialist, you can earn certifications to show employers your knowledge. The most common certificate to obtain is Certified Professional Coder (CDC). Those looking to work in validation in the medical field will benefit from validation specialist certificates specific to the medical field. The CIC (Certified Inpatient Coder) and COC (Certified Outpatient Coder) can help you land a job in a medical setting.
As a hiring manager who has recruited validation specialists at companies like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson, I've seen countless resumes for this position. The best resumes that catch my attention are the ones that showcase the candidate's specific experience and skills in validation. Here are some tips to help you create a strong resume that will stand out to hiring managers like myself.
Emphasize your hands-on experience in validation, such as:
Quantify your experience whenever possible to give hiring managers a clear picture of your expertise. Avoid vague statements like:
A resume summary for a Validation Specialist position is optional but can be a useful way to provide additional context about your experience and skills. It's particularly helpful if you're changing careers or have a diverse background that may not be immediately obvious from the rest of your resume. However, avoid using an objective statement, as it's outdated and doesn't provide value to the employer.
When crafting your summary, focus on highlighting your most relevant qualifications and experiences without repeating information that's already present in other sections of your resume. Use this opportunity to showcase your industry-specific skills and mention your target job title to optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Keep your summary concise, ideally no more than a paragraph, and avoid using bullet points or directly mentioning soft skills.
Your work experience section is the core of your resume. It's where you show the impact you've made at previous companies, and connect the dots on how you can help your next company succeed in a similar way.
Most hiring managers spend the majority of their time reviewing this section. Here are some tips to make sure your work experience section is as strong as it can be for a validation specialist position:
When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs that are specific to validation and demonstrate your impact. Avoid generic verbs like 'assisted' or 'helped' that don't convey the depth of your contributions.
Here are some examples of validation action verbs to use:
For example:
Instead, use a stronger verb and provide more specifics:
Your education section is a key part of your validation specialist resume. It shows hiring managers that you have the necessary knowledge and training to do the job well. Here are some tips to make sure your education section stands out:
The skills section of your resume is one of the most important parts, especially for a Validation Specialist role. It's where you highlight your most relevant abilities and expertise to show hiring managers that you're the right fit for the job. When writing your skills section, focus on showcasing a mix of technical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and relevant tools or software you're proficient in.
Here are examples of popular skills from Validation Specialist job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Validation Specialist job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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