The Science of Job Searching How Can A Scientist Fit Into The HR Puzzle

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The Science of Job Searching How Can A Scientist
Fit Into The HR Puzzle?

• November, 2006

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Agenda

• Possibilities in the marketplace
• Give you some things to think about as you move
  toward your career
• Resume and CV Preparation
• Interview Insight
• Networking Skills

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What is Kelly Scientific Resources

• Kelly Scientific Resources (KSR)
• Leading scientific and clinical research
  staffing company in the world. 
• Employ more than 700 clinical research
  professionals and 4,500 scientists on an average
  workday on a temporary, project and full-time
  basis in a broad spectrum of industries and
  disciplines
• Focus is on early career professionals

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How big IS it?Source Business Communications
Company, Inc, Norwalk, CT

• World pharmaceutical industry represented 592
  billion in 2003 its expected to reach 938
  billion by 2008
• Biopharma is expected to represent 17 of all
  prescriptions written by 2010

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Worldwide Market Projections(source Business
Communications Company, Inc, Norwalk, CT

• Contract manufacturing research for the
  pharmaceutical industry
• 100B (2004) gt 168B (2009) (10.8)
• Therapeutic diagnostic antibodies
• 15B (2005) expected to grow to 26B
  (2010). (11.5)
• DNA sequencing proteomics 7.8B (20040 gt
  17.5B (2009) (17.6)

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Worldwide Market Projections (cont.)(source
Business Communications Company, Inc, Norwalk, CT

• Nanotechnology apps in life sciences gt910M
  (2005) gt 3.4B (2010) (30.3)
• Bioinformatics 1.02B (2002) gt 3.0B (2010)
  (15.8)
• Therapeutic vaccines 8.1M (2004) gt 4 B (2010)
  (30.5)

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Hot new markets follow demographic/disease
trends. .

• Aging population
• Obesity, diabetes, metabolic disease
• Neurological conditions Alzheimers
• Health and wellness
• Anti-aging
• Anti-infectives

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Hot new markets follow technology innovation. .
.

• Personalized medicine
• Nanotechnology
• New delivery options
• Materials enhancements
• Bio-fuels
• Fermentation and bio-catalysis

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Continued Focus on. . .

• Chronic diseases
• Oncology
• Cardiovascular genetic conditions
• Stem cell R D

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So, where do I start?
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ResumeChoose The Style thats right for you

• Chronological
• Most common, easy to read, based on work history
• Reverse chronological order
• Functional
• Less common
• Organize information by skills or accomplishments
• Emphasize area of expertise, such as management
  or technical skills

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Layout

• Length
• Graduate Degree or Extensive Job Experience Two
  pages may be necessary
• Recent Graduate, Bachelors One page
• Appearance
• Should be easily scanned in 15 seconds
• Blank spaces, Font Size (10-12)
• Dont use italics
• Margins at least one inch each on all sides

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Career ObjectiveA career objective should be a
brief statement focusing on skills and
characteristics you bring to the job.

• Dos
• Tailor the objective to match the position,
  utilizing your skills which best match the
  position
• Emphasize what you have to offer
• Donts
• Emphasize what you want out of the position, i.e.
  job growth, good benefits

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Keywords, Buzzwords and Action VerbsUse the
right language for the right industry

• Many employers are relying on searchable
  databases and resume banks to streamline the
  employment process
• To improve your chances of attracting the
  recruiters eye or search engine, you must utilize
  industry specific keywords and buzzwords to
  standout.
• Describe your accomplishments using action words
  to convey your connection to your skills

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Scientific Examples

• Keywords
• HPLC, GC, GC/MS, FTIR, NMR
• Laboratory Manager
• Chromatography
• Regulatory Affairs
• Methods Development
• LIMS
• Quality Control

• Buzzwords
• Process Improvement
• Validation
• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical
• Drug Discovery
• Genomic
• Total Quality Management

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Content/Work ExperienceBest Practices

• Job Titles use titles that are easy to
  understand
• Do Organic Chemist, Analytical Chemist, QC
  Manager
• Dont Scientist II, Technical Specialist, Lab
  Associate
• Accomplishments, Skills Experience use short
  action phrases or bulleted points
• Do be concise, customize, quantify results
• Dont use paragraphs, use obscure vocabulary

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Resume Cover LetterIs It Necessary?

• Introduction
• Briefly state what you are applying for
• Mid-section
• One or two short paragraphs
• Do not summarize your resume
• Choose a qualification that targets the position
• Last paragraph
• Initiate an action

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Interview Insight
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Purpose of Interviews

• Employers hire people, not resumes!
• Interviews are a conversation about employment
  relationships
• Two-way selling

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Preparation Success!

• Ask Questions before the interview
• Work with Recruiter, Admin, Coordinator
• Ask for Agenda and Job Description
• Directions, Attire, Culture/Personalities,
  Interview Style, Special Instructions

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Preparation Success!

• Research Organization, Department, Interviewers
• Products and Services
• Philosophy
• Recent News and Publications
• Current Research

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Preparation Success!

• Anticipate common topics
• Tell me more about yourself
• Tell me about your recent position(s)
• What strengths can you offer?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What are your career goals?
• Tell me about a time when
• Why should we hire you?

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Preparation Success!

• Create list of questions (10)
• Link to research
• Write them down!
• Tailor questions towards interviewer
• Make list of strengths (7-10)
• Include example of when you used them
• Write them down!

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Best Practices

• Arrive 10 min early
• Smile
• Firm handshake
• Good Posture
• Eye contact
• Articulate well
• Listen well

• Positive attitude
• Be enthusiastic!
• Take notes
• Ask for clarification
• Show interest in company/position
• Request business cards

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After the Interview

• Ask if there are any questions/concerns
• Inquire about next steps
• Self-evaluation
• Follow up
• Thank You notes immediately
• Status check within 2 weeks

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Networking

• Who do I know?

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Are you Networked?
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What is Networking?

• Connecting people based on commonalities
• Sharing information and contacts
• Developing relationships

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What do we all have in common?

• Background or interest in Science (Genetics)
• U of T graduates
• Interest in career advancement
• Been to Paris!

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Misconceptions about Networking

• Abuse of friendship/relationship
• Impersonal
• Exploitative
• Begging

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Rules of Networking

• Rule 1 Be active and visible
• Professional Organizations
• Conferences
• Online resources (linkedin.com)

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Rules of Networking

• Rule 2 People LOVE to talk about themselves and
  their work!
• Ask lots of open-ended questions
• Have a 15 second pitch

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Rules of Networking

• Rule 3 Business Cards - The currency of
  Networking

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Rules of Networking

• Rule 4 Follow up on all leads
• Send Thank You letters
• Keep a database
• Maintain long-term contact
• Close the loop

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Rules of Networking

• Rule 5 Be respectful
• Ask for contacts and information, NOT jobs
• Offer yourself as a resource
• Only use name with permission

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Networking

• Who do you know?

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Discussion