Looking Your Best on Paper
Lauren Celano
Ph: 215‐370‐2285
[email protected]
Outline
• What happens after you send your resume to a company
• How companies use resume databases
• The importance of tailoring your resume and cover letter for each job
• Tips to tailor your resume • Writing a cover letter
• job search timeframes 6/25/2013
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Company Recruitment Database
Referrals
LinkedIn
Recruiters
HR Searches …
Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Internal and external
Recruitment Database
 Used by many firms, both large and small
 Key word searchable
 Details in resume = searchable
 Looks for key words in job description
 User created profile (typically)
 Systems can track applications over time
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Key Word Search
Skills and Techniques
 Molecular Biology: Cloning, PCR, quantitative PCR, mutagenic PCR, DNA purification from Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, DNA sequence analysis, plasmid design and construction, microarrays, Illumina‐based sequencing
 Protein: Protein expression, protein purification via affinity chromatography, protein separation by SDS/PAGE, ELISAs, Western blotting, protein quantification, enzymatic protein digestion
 Microbiology: Construction and maintenance of mutant bacterial strains, characterization of mutant phenotypes (ie. growth curves, cell wall protein profile, biofilm assays, antibiotic and stress susceptibility, etc.), quantitative plating, bacterial staining, light and fluorescent microscopy, electronic microscopy sample preparation, transcriptional profiling
 Virology: Manipulation of positive RNA virus (Dengue virus) including tissue culture infection, plaquing assays, and mouse model of infection
 Immunology and Tissue Culture: Growth of bacteria in primary macrophages and tissue culture cells; maintenance of tissue culture lines; isolation and differentiation of primary cells; flow cytometry; cytokine analysis by ELISAs and Western blotting; immunofluorescence; transcriptional profiling by qPCR and microarray analysis; Tcell stimulation assays; quantitative and qualitative antibody assessment
 Animal Infections: Intravenous, intraperitoneal, and pulmonary infection, nasopharyngeal colonization of mice, full dissections and determination of bacterial load in liver, spleen, intestines, lymph nodes, lungs, nasal lavage; cytokine and antibody assessment from serum and tissue samples
 Computer: Microsoft Office, Swiss PDB, GraphPad Prism, Kaleidagraph, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Vector NTI, EndNote, Literature Search (PubMed, MEDLINE, GoogleScholar, Science Direct)
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Recruitment Database ‐ Considerations
 Objective vs. summary of qualifications  Don’t pigeon hole yourself
 Be careful, to many different applications can be a negative
 Customize resume for the job description
 Include cover letter as a separate document to assist with parsing
 Don’t get too fancy with resume, may disrupt parsing
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
What happens to your job application
HR Person
Hiring Manager
Maybe
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Interviewers
Functional Areas and Roles
Marketing / Global
Local
Communication
Companies Developing Consulting
Technologies
Venture Capital Small
Ecosystem
Non Profit / Disease Foundations
Mid‐Sized
Investment Banking / Finance Large
Medical / Science Writing
Patent Law Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Entrepreneurial
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Types of Roles
Technology Development Firms R&D
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Commercialization
Basic Science
Preclinical or Development
Engineering
Product Development
Epidemiologist
Regulatory Affairs
Clinical Research
Clinical Data Analysis Drug Safety
Medical Affairs
Biostatistician Bioinformatics
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Marketing
Product Management
Project Management
Market Research
Sales
Business Development Market Access / Reimbursement
Pharmacoeconomics
Medical Science Liaison
Medical / Clinical Communications
Medical Writing
Health Policy Making Connections that Fuel Innovation!
Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Additional Roles
Consulting Firms, Investment Banks, Venture Capital
R&D, Operations
Consulting
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Scientific Evaluation
Strategic Analysis
Competitive Landscape M&A Analysis
Financial Valuation
Partnership Strategy
Intellectual Property
Sales Strategy
Marketing Strategy
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Pharmacoeconomics
Pricing Scenarios
Reimbursement
Market Assess
Health economics
Operational Assessment
Commercialization
Emerging Markets
Supply Chain
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation!
Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Scientific Evaluation
Grant Writing Intellectual Property
Assessment Financial Modeling
Organizational Structure
Programming
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Transferable Skills for Specific Roles
Business development
scientific knowledge, commercial perspective, financial skills, networking
writing, creative skills, branding insight/experience, communication
Marketing
Research and development
organization, working with various people, detail oriented, strong communication skills
analytical and logic, scientific knowledge, presenting, evaluating trends, larger picture view, networking
strong scientific foundation, adaptability, working cross functionally, commercial focus
Medical Affairs, Clinical Research Disease relevance, strong scientific foundation, regulatory/clinical knowledge
Product/project management
Strategy consulting
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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How to Build Skills
Business development
Tech Transfer Internships, Intern at Startup, Business Development Plans, Business Course(s)
Marketing
Write Blogs, Social Media, programs i.e. Illustrator, take courses, design flyers, i.e. networking groups
Product/project management
Organize/Lead collaborations or activities, work with people of different backgrounds, gain “big picture”, manage budgets, Gantt charts, Strategy consulting
Consulting club, case competitions, business courses, leadership roles in organizations, tech transfer internships
Research and development
Translational research, drug discovery / development course, intern with startup, write patents, business plans
Medical Affairs, Clinical Research Translational disease research, clinical research, IRB’s, regulatory / clinical courses Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. May, 29th 2013
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Resumes
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Resumes ‐ a Few Points to Consider…
• Resumes tell a story
• Customize each resume for each job application
• Make it easy to read
• Pay attention to formatting
 Bullet points, fonts, size, ease of reading, etc
• Put your first and last name in resume file name
• Two pages are okay, if you have enough experience
• Include email address and phone # in your resume
• Academic CVs are different from industry resumes
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Summary of Qualifications
• What top 3 things do you want people to know about your qualifications…
• Scientific skills
• Business skills/interest
• Leadership ability, analytical skills, teamwork
• … and your fit with the company and position
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. September 26, 2012
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SOQ Examples  Neuroscientist
with four years of postdoctoral experience
investigating neuropharmacology of GPCR’s in rodent and cell culture
model systems. Disease area experience includes learning and
memory, substance abuse, ocular physiology and tumor development.
 Extensive experience implementing new computer‐based behavior
analysis technologies and wet lab techniques for analysis of gene
expression (e.g. qPCR) and protein abundance (e.g. ELISA).
 Mentored, supervised and trained graduate and undergraduate and
lab technicians. Oversaw supply inventory and interfaced with
vendors and service providers.
6/25/2013
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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SOQ Examples  Current postdoctoral fellow with a research background in
infectious disease, immunology and vaccine development.
 Thorough understanding of healthcare related IP and
commercialization through tech transfer internship.
 Team player and detail oriented individual with excellent
communication and presentation skills
6/25/2013
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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A Few More Points to Consider…
 If you want to do Research
 Highlight research experiences, skills, techniques
 Research Techniques Section in Resume
 If you want to do non‐research
 Highlight teaching, presentation, organizational, volunteer, team work, mentorship experiences
 Industry values skills such as
 communication, team work, organizational skills
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Listing Scientific Experience
• List what you were responsible for:
• Research focused on XX
• Identified a novel pathway related to XX
• Responsible for ELISA assay development for XXX
• Responsible for setting up the lab and coordinating research of lab mates
• Utilized the specific lab techniques of XXX
• Were you responsible for managing any... •
People, budgets, activities, relationships, lab setup
• Did you present at public meetings or conferences on behalf of the lab or company? Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! 21
Scientific / Technical Skills
Skills and Techniques
 Molecular Biology: Cloning, PCR, quantitative PCR, mutagenic PCR, DNA purification from Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, DNA sequence analysis, plasmid design and construction, microarrays, Illumina‐based sequencing
 Protein: Protein expression, protein purification via affinity chromatography, protein separation by SDS/PAGE, ELISAs, Western blotting, protein quantification, enzymatic protein digestion
 Microbiology: Construction and maintenance of mutant bacterial strains, characterization of mutant phenotypes (ie. growth curves, cell wall protein profile, biofilm assays, antibiotic and stress susceptibility, etc.), quantitative plating, bacterial staining, light and fluorescent microscopy, electronic microscopy sample preparation, transcriptional profiling
 Virology: Manipulation of positive RNA virus (Dengue virus) including tissue culture infection, plaquing assays, and mouse model of infection
 Immunology and Tissue Culture: Growth of bacteria in primary macrophages and tissue culture cells; maintenance of tissue culture lines; isolation and differentiation of primary cells; flow cytometry; cytokine analysis by ELISAs and Western blotting; immunofluorescence; transcriptional profiling by qPCR and microarray analysis; Tcell stimulation assays; quantitative and qualitative antibody assessment
 Animal Infections: Intravenous, intraperitoneal, and pulmonary infection, nasopharyngeal colonization of mice, full dissections and determination of bacterial load in liver, spleen, intestines, lymph nodes, lungs, nasal lavage; cytokine and antibody assessment from serum and tissue samples
 Computer: Microsoft Office, Swiss PDB, GraphPad Prism, Kaleidagraph, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Vector NTI, EndNote, Literature Search (PubMed, MEDLINE, GoogleScholar, Science Direct)
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Recruitment Database
 Used by many firms, both large and small
 Key word searchable
 Details in resume = searchable
 Looks for key words in job description
 User created profile (typically)
 Systems can track applications over time
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Location
• If you are looking for a role outside of where you live, write on resume: Willing to relocate. • In cover letter, write that you will be relocation to ___________ area so that there is no question of where you will be living
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Sponsorship
• If you have a Greencard, list it! • If you are international and don’t list Greencard, people will assume you need sponsorship
• Larger companies sponsor more than smaller ones
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Target larger ones to increase changes of sponsorship
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Resume Examples
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Scientific Role – Entrepreneurial Company
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Project Management Role
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Business Development Role
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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• Too much empty space. • The summary of qualifications is good
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Formatting is off – see bullet points. Attention to detail is lacking
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Objective can be restrictive ‐ I like summary of qualifications better ; Too much empty space
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Page 1
Page 2
If you are going to have 2 pages, have 2 full pages. Do not have 1 page and ¼ of a page. Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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This is hard to read. Use bullets – make it easier for the reader to see your background
Pay attention to formatting
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Discussing Transferable Skills
You can choose what to highlight among your experiences Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Organizational Skills
• Managed multiple projects on time and budget
• Managed multiple people to accomplish a goal
• Organized a national conference for ___ group • Completed Ph.D. in 5 years while working part‐time
• Organized a gala event to raise money for ____ charity Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Management Skills
• Managed an undergraduate / graduate researcher
• Managed summer interns for scientific experiments
• Managed a research budget
• Managed collaboration(s) among ____universities
• Managed collaboration(s) with industry
• Managed a team of people to organize ____ • Managed the review process for a grant Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Presentation and Writing Skills
• Presentations at meetings
local, regional, national, international, lab meetings Teaching experience Toastmasters
Papers
Grants
Journal reviewer
University paper
Industry association / conference
Personal Blog
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Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Networking and Leadership
• Have you taken leadership roles within your institution? • Are you involved in a local or national chapter of a networking group? • AWIS, AAPS, ACS, WEST, HBA, etc.? • Do you have a leadership role in one of these above organizations?
• Community Service Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Using LinkedIn
• > 30% of jobs are filled using LinkedIn
• This is not just for filling jobs…
• Networking event follow‐up • Informational Interviews
• Keeping in touch
• Searching for types of roles / companies to gain insight
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Your Brand Matters
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Build Out Your Profile VS
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. May 29th, 2013
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Writing a Cover Letter
Refer to the Job Description
 Put job # or title on the cover letter
 Include your contact details – email and phone number
 Reiterate the job requirements  Tailor your cover letter
 Don’t put in random information  Keep to 1 page
Make sure the company knows that you have read the job description 44
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Example
Job Requirements:  >5 years of oncology research experience
 Experience with PCR, ELISA, Transfection, etc  Good communication and presentation skills  At least 1 first author paper Cover Letter Statements:  I have over 5 years of oncology research experience having performed XX research in the labs of XX.  I have experience with a wide variety of techniques including PCR, ELISA, and Transfection.  I have presented my research at over 10 international meetings  I have three first author papers in Nature, Cell and PNAS. 45
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
Job Search Timeframes
• 2 years out: Self‐awareness and Informational interviewing
• 1‐2 years out: Informational interviewing and networking
• 3‐6 months : job search process
• Time to decide upon an offer: as short as 48 hours • Offer to start date: 2‐4 weeks
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation! Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Propel Careers Focus
Placement
‐ Full time
‐ Part time
‐ Internships
‐ Project based
Career Guidance
Mentorship
Networking Events
‐ Industry Topic Events
‐ Career Matchmaking Events
‐Career pathways
‐ Personal and Professional Development
‐ Coaching ‐ Resume Review
‐ Speaking Engagements
Confidential; Not for Distribution. June 25, 2013
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Propel: A Connector Network
Talent
 Business students
 Scientific Graduate Students (MD, M.S., Ph.D.)
Companies
Mentors
 Post Doctoral Fellows
 Medical Device
 Seasoned executives
 Industry Talent
 Therapeutic
 CEO, CSO, VP Level
 Diagnostic  Technology
Service Providers
 Consulting
 Legal  Cleantech
 Accounting
 Finance Investors
 Investment Banking
 Angel Investors
 Incubator Spaces
 Venture Capital
 Trade Associations
Universities
 US and Int’l
 Tech Transfer Offices
Confidential; Not for Distribution. May 29th, 2013
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Contact Details
Lauren Celano
Founder and CEO
Propel Careers
cell: 215‐370‐2285
email: [email protected]
Blog: http://www.propelcareers.com/blog/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Propel_Careers
Facebook: Propel Careers Linked in: Propel Careers
Fueling Innovation. Fostering Leaders.
www.propelcareers.com
Making Connections that Fuel Innovation!