February 6, 2014
Three-Step Approach To Finding Work In The Growing Biotech Industry
By Tony Beshara, Creator of The Job Search Solution, for BioSpace.com
In the past decade, U.S. biotech added an average of 9,600 new jobs each year. Employment for biological technicians is expected to grow by 28.2 percent by 2014, while employment for biological scientists is expected to grow by 17 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). What’s more, biomedical engineers are expected to have 21 percent employment growth through 2016—much faster than the average for all occupations.
| |
In order to leverage this opportunity, biotech job seekers should adopt the highly effective “system” that has helped more than 100,000 individuals find a new job. This system is based on the concept that if you focus more on the job search process, and less on getting the job, you will get better results.
Whether you are looking for work as a medical scientist, biological technician, lab technicians, biochemist, biomedical engineer, or microbiologist, this three-step program gives you the tools to master the process of finding the job of your dreams.
Step One: Create a list of everyone you know.
Create a list of anyone you know who could help generate job leads—friends, family, neighbors, schoolmates, teammates, or club/society members.
Contact everyone on your list, and ask them if they are hiring or know someone who is. If your first round of phone calls, texts, or emails fail to yield anything, contact everyone on your list 30 to 45 days later. Keep in mind that at least 60 percent of all jobs are found by networking.
Step Two: Create a list of every business you know.
Create a list of every business that might be interested in someone with your skills and experience. Finding work is a full-time job, so expect to make 40 to 50 calls to companies each day. The harder you strive, the more “luck” you’ll have. For example, if you are looking for a scientist position, keep a list of top XYZ biotechs as well as startups—you never know what may come up.
Step Three: Prepare when you finally land an interview.
When your efforts pay off, nailing the job interview begins with a considerable amount of preparation:
- Find out exactly what the company wants from a job candidate.
- Learn as much as you can about the company to help you answer interview questions and develop questions to ask the interviewer. For example, if you are applying to big pharma XYZ, you could say: “I know that the company focuses on cancer research. I’m a biologist, so I’d love to know more about the company’s drug development methods. Can you tell me more about the role that your biologists have (or will have) in the product development phase?”
- Make a list of your assets and match them to the job requirements.
- Create a list of your skills, experiences, and professional qualifications that you can expand on with real-life examples or anecdotes during the interview.
Whether you are fresh out of college or simply looking for greener pastures, the best way to prepare for success in the biotech industry is to prepare well for every interview. Practice answering questions so that you won’t be caught off guard, and review your notes prior to the interview so that you are relaxed and articulate. Good luck!
Find more life science jobs here!
Check out the latest Career Insider eNewsletter - February 6, 2014.
Sign up for the free weekly Career Insider eNewsletter.
Related Articles
* What You Don’t Know About Jobs Online
* 10 Crash Course Tips For Job Interviews
* 4 Resume Writing Strategies For A Competitive Market
