From my experience of job searching, I have compiled a list of tools and tips for PhD students.
CV/Resume facts
Before you apply for a job, learn about the ATS tracking system, which is used to sort resumes, and make an effort to improve your resume.
- Keywords: verbs that match the job description, soft and hard skills
By changing the current title, you can have a strong match. - Certificate of Licensing: Use the appropriate title.
If you don't have the right qualifications, then write to someone directly in the company. - ATS-friendly resume: avoid multiple tables and columns
- Don't add a header and footer; write them in the text itself.
- Structure: Keep it simple.
- Use the right font: Sans Syria. Syria font; traditional ones: Times New Roman, Arial
- graphics, logos, and photos via online submission Make separate resumes that don't mix with text to make them fancy; the bottom line is less is always more.
- Before applying for any job, update your resume (15 minutes).
Max. 600 words; ideal length: 475–600 words; 2.5–3 lines per bullet point. - The ATS system is like a bouncer that doesn't let everyone in the party. Key words and phrases at the beginning
- Make lists of words you need to put into wordcloud.com and copy and paste the job description(s)
Switch words every time - Only 2% of people get an interview call.
- Proofreading matters: spelling errors
- 6 sections: contacts, professional summary, experience, education, skills, and hobbies
Types of Resume
1. Reverse chronological format:
goes backwards from a recent job, then skills, etc
2. A Functional Resume: Many Achievements and Skills on the Job at the End
3. A hybrid resume:
accomplishments, about you, key skills,
jobs you had when and where,
ATS, human reviewer: Hybrid form is favourable.
A functional resume is the least favoured.
Tools:
- Cultivated culture (free )
- Text.io
- Job Scan
There is always a caveat about who has sources , connections, etc.
Be proactive about jobs.
Find someone at the company for an informational interview. I am interested.
Show curiosity about what they are doing.
People decide who gets the job, but machines help speed things up.
Job search strategies: 80/20 rule
20 jobs to search online
80 to Connecting and working on a resume kill
Job search tracking tool
Worksheet by course: interviews, track submissions
Visualjobcoach.com is available for free on the internet.
If you are employed, you should spend 5–10 hours per week; if you are unemployed, you should spend 40 hours per week.
5 Job Search Tips
- Use job push notifications for search agents.
- Organizations that operate on their own premises
- Journal and specialty sites such as Nature Jobs and Weddles.com can tell you where the specialty sites gather searches from large corporations: indeed.com, simplyhired.com; search for "Job title."
- Posting a resume online: create your ideal job
- Put your previous salary, NA, or negotiable for salary, and do research for your salary.
- Maintain your privacy by not disclosing your birthdate.
- Online profiles: LinkedIn, Twitter, Website, ZoomInfo.com
- Basic tips to pitch your career online:
A memorable statement you bring to the world
Unique and keyword-rich content for your career
Include a link to your resume (use visual resume websites).
Personalize the URL.
Complete the profile and recommendations
Use privacy settings wisely.
Jobs are coming to you !
Blogging's Importance:
Set yourself up as an expert, and put this in your resume.
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Focus on your role and trends.
New Techniques in Industry , Skills, and Previous Projects
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Blog often.
Make time to blog once a week, stay active in your role, and keep your content relevant and up-to-date.
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Share your blog posts on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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Make it a two way street: respond to comments and like others' posts.
Use the conference to its fullest.
- Present
- Pick sessions for use.
- Begin the conversation with an introduction and inquire about themselves, what they do, and how much they enjoy it.
- Stay at the conference and talk to people over lunch or dinner; follow up with email and cards, and stay on their radar.
- Current contacts for new positions: compile a list of people who could be useful.
- Approach stronger sources.
- Set goals for reaching out.
Be clear about what you need from them in terms of referrals, opinions, or job leads; be open to advice; follow-up is important; Send them a thank-you note.
Changing careers or locations: new contacts
Target organisations and people and find the right person to contact—not HR, but someone in the position you want.
Making contact: email, call, pitch why you are calling, the value you provide, questions to ask, no more than 20 minutes, dates and times you are available, take action on suggestions, and say thanks.
Conversations with connections:
keeping up with industry news, adding interesting articles to emails
Regular updates
Coffee/lunch
How recruiters work for organisations
1. Retain recruiters:
They find you through their search.
Find talent for the company.
This type of recruiter is good for making connections.
2. Contingent Recruiters:
large openings for high-value positions (e.g., IT or sales-only) during one project
Where to find them?
Free sites rileyguide.com
paid sites
On LinkedIn
Timing of making connections: when thinking of changing careers, leaving positions, or challenges, not when unemployed
Let them know why you qualified and how you fit.
Don't send them anything unless they reply or are interested.
Help them. recommend them to people.
Present yourself as a potential
Professional updates will be sent to you.
Every 4-6 weeks would not be very annoying.
Sharing personal stories on professional platforms
Really?? Yes, it is now important to tell your story (The Step-By-Step Guide to Sharing Your Personal Story on LinkedIn)
It is very new to your eyes, but the time is changing; personal stories are getting hits on the web.
You become memorable and help people. truly connect with people.
- Lessons to share and interpret from your journey Pin it to your profile.
- LinkedIn's new features and when and where to share,
- Linkedin Lives
- Section on experience: stay-at-home mom/dad, etc. You are more than your job titles.
- Discover your story-telling style by looking at creators you admire and considering the values you want to share; for me, that's authenticity and vulnerability. Play with writing, write as you speak, read out loud, and tweak; practise makes perfect; speak your truth.
- The first few lines pique the reader's interest. and a final message.
- Add depth to the story: Use good-quality photos and videos. (Ask for permission.)
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The story flow should be visual. What does life look like before it changes? Was there any mentorship or support that helped or hindered you in your current journey? a goal that you are attempting to achieve or have achieved. Your time is Now!!
In conclusion, for a career or job search, always look at the free LinkedIn courses in your emails. Make yourself visible by blogging or speaking at the conference. Keep track of professional contacts and job application submissions using the system. Get help from friends, family, and mentors to stay on track and help with interview success and failure. Develop a positive attitude.
Personal branding
What do you want to do in the next five years?
Where do you see yourself or are passionate about?
eg. Like Office/Lab mom so got promoted
Leadership material, Building Influence
What's in your DNA? What matters to you and not be you if you don't have that in your life? are you living those values?
- Keep updating your CV
- Skills that matched: Give an example, Lab skill
- Get rid of cliche
Sources:
LinkedIn courses
Cheeky Scientists
Bionow career fair
SRG
Industry Postdoc at Astrazeneca
QnA with Adam Isle Recruiter
Hi Adam, great talk! I have one question how to apply for positions if the skills needed don't match the candidate's knowledge but they think their PhD shows they're a fast learner? Are these applications valued by employers? Any advice?
Thanks, Priya. It's a tricky question - the formal answer is always 'yes, employers do value those transferable skills and learning agility', however the reality is that if you're competing against candidates who've got the PhD in an aligned field and can show that speed of learning then they are likely to have the edge. Sometimes, if a role hasn't had as many applications and the hiring manager is more open minded you could secure an interview, but it's impossible to know this as an applicant simply looking at a job advert. Where the job requirements (qualifications, skills and experience) listed are broad, it might suggest that the hiring manager is more open minded.
Hey Adam, Thank you so much for providing in-depth information on all of Astrazeneca's remarkable programmes. What advice would you give to PhD candidates for these competitive positions? Which key skills make a candidate stand out?
Glad you enjoyed it! PhD students would really gain a lot from considering the Global Postdoc Programme at AZ as the next step in their career. Alternatively, they could also consider applying for 'Scientist' level positions within our R&D and other functions of AstraZeneca. Sign up for job alerts on our careers website and you'll automatically get notifications when new positions become available. The general advice to all applicants applies; show your passion in your application and throughout the interview. At the PhD level we do expect applicants to know a bit about the kind of work we do in the pharmaceutical industry. There are some great resources available (e.g. the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries, ABPI) which can give you an industry wide understanding, and there is a wealth of info available via AZ's website, annual report, YouTube, LinkedIn and other social media channels. You certainly don't need to have a detailed understanding, but show that you've done your research!
Do any of the companies over sponsorship for international student that which to work with them
International students studying full time in the UK are generally entitled to complete either summer or even year long industrial placements if the year long placement meets certain criteria and the university has a 'track record' as an employer/ supporter of students. Your careers office should be able to advise you, and the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has some useful guidance for students and employers considering employing international students. See https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
Question to Deborah Hutton Teva Pharma
How easy is it to get a lab role after graduation, without a year in industry?
How easy is it to get a lab role after graduation, without a year in industry?
Many thanks for your question. It is a very competitive industry especially with no industry experience. I would focus on your softer skills like team work, communication etc but any experience to demonstrate these skills are beneficial even if its not specific to your degree.