Are you a recent graduate with a shiny new PhD or Master's degree in the life sciences, eager to get a job in the life sciences industry? If so, you've probably noticed a frustrating trend – most job postings in the life sciences industry ask for a seemingly unattainable number of years of experience. But here's the truth: many candidates with less experience still manage to secure these positions. In this article, we will learn how to put the "years of experience" criteria in the back seat and help you with actionable steps to override it.
Understanding the Experience Requirement:
Why Companies Ask for Experience: Companies often use experience requirements as a way to filter applicants quickly. It's a convenient way to narrow down the applicant pool and ensure that candidates have some practical knowledge of the field.
The Flexibility of Job Descriptions: Job descriptions are not set in stone. They're often a wishlist, and companies might be open to hiring candidates with fewer years of experience if they possess other valuable skills.
Actionable Steps to Override the Experience Barrier:
Build a Strong Resume:
a. Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize your academic achievements including research projects by translating these into industry relevant skill sets. Do not forget to any industry-related coursework or internships that you may have taken during your educational journey. The mistakes that you (life sciences individuals) make while listing your academic achievements in your resume is that you adhere to the complex titles of the research projects or highly scientific outcomes which becomes difficult for the readers to understand.
It becomes a challenge for the reader to connect your achievements and your being fit for the job role.
Therefore translating your experience in a language that industry professionals understand in alignment with job description is the single utmost relevant part of resume curation.
Another most common mistake is crowding the “visual section” of the resume with unimportant information like your detailed education background or. “objective statement” or listing your publications. Yes their placements have to be strategic such that the skills relevant to the job you are applying for is highlighted while the rest of the information is supporting the achievements.
Well, we have seen life sciences individuals struggling with curating a resume which can tell the reader that they are the best fit for the job role. That is why we are coming up with a masterclass on "Create a Job-winning Resume for Life Science Career in the US and India" on 24th Sep, Sunday at 11 AM IST. Join others who are determined to learn resume mastery for the life sciences industry. Click here.
b. Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application, focusing on the skills and experiences that align with the specific position. Coming from academic background, we have been taught to believe that “More is good” like more number of publications, more marks/scores, more impact factor, etc. However when it comes to resume building for the industry jobs, ”Less is more”! Confused ???
Let me explain, Well on an average a person spends only 7 seconds to skim through your resume and make a decision whether your interest in joining for that role can be taken forward. Now if your resume is filled with every achievement you have made so far then to find the relevant information is this “information web” is liking looking for a needle in the haystack. You need to make the job easier for the reader and not give him an additional task of finding the right information and draw connections with your expertise & job specifications.
Take this responsibility in your hand and tailor your resume with respect to the job description. Consider a question while you are curating your resume, “ What are those skills that will help me with this job role so that the person reading it can decide that I am the best fit for this position without wasting any time”? Now curate your answer which is your resume!
2. Network:
a. Attend Industry Events: Participate in conferences, seminars, and networking events to connect with professionals in your field. You need to do more than just sit and listen to the talks! This is one of your tasks at an event. You need to plan to meet the attendees coming to that event. Prepare beforehand! Find the list of attendees to the event, go through the brochure, make a list of the attendees/ speakers you wish to meet. Learn more about them through the web and approach them with a question or a compliment on their recent achievements or work and have a hearty discussion focused on learning. A simple follow up email after that brief meeting can etch your name in their memories and this is how you start building network through these events.
Another aspect that no life sciences individual does is network with people handling the companies booths. This is your opportunity to gain insights into that company, to learn about the projects, any open position or any other information. Reach out to the exhibitors and connect with them on LinkedIn. Build a rapport with them. These are the people who could be your internal referral in that company or could even get back with an opportunity in another company.
b. LinkedIn: Build an active LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills, connect with industry experts, and stay updated on job openings. You need to engage with your connections if you want to network effectively. Just connecting alone and leaving at that will not help. Be proactive in reaching out, leave a thoughtful comment on their posts, strike conversation on a mutually interested topic. When you do that, you not only build your trust and credibility but you also gain an opportunity to introduce yourself to them in a way that extends beyond just on paper.
3. Leverage Internships and Research Projects:
Emphasize Transferable Skills: Showcase how your research and internship experiences have equipped you with practical skills relevant to the job.
4. Cover Letter Mastery:
Explain Your Fit: In your cover letter, explain why your academic background and passion for the field make you an ideal candidate, even if you lack years of experience.
5. Prepare for Interviews:
a. Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities: Use behavioral interview techniques to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
b. Highlight Soft Skills: Emphasize your teamwork, communication, and leadership abilities, which are often just as important as technical knowledge.
If you want to have a mock interview with our experts to help you ace your upcoming interview, check out a recent program InterviewExcel@Metis. Click here.
6. Utilize Industry Connections:
Seek Referrals: If you know someone in the industry, ask for a referral. Employee referrals can carry significant weight in the hiring process.
7. Highlight Research Impact:
a. Showcase Achievements: In your resume and interviews, emphasize the impact of your research in a language that supports your eligibility for that particular job role.
b. Quantify Results: Use data or metrics to quantify the outcomes of your research projects, demonstrating that your work has tangible benefits.
8. Create a Personal Project Portfolio:
a. Side Projects: If you have undertaken any side projects, independent research, or contributed to open-source initiatives, create a portfolio to showcase your hands-on experience.
b. Demonstrate Initiative: Highlighting personal projects not only illustrates your passion but also your proactive approach to gaining practical skills.
While the demand for a certain number of years of experience can be intimidating, it's not an impossible hurdle to overcome. Many individuals with fresh PhDs or Master's degrees have successfully entered the life sciences industry by showcasing their skills, networking, and demonstrating their passion for the field. By following these actionable steps, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job and starting a fulfilling career in the life sciences industry. Remember, it's not always about the number of years on your resume but the value you bring to the table.
Bonus Tip: With all this being said, here is an unspoken truth- If you are a fresher, feel free to apply for the jobs which ask maximum 2 years of experience (entry level positions). If you have 1-2 years of experience, feel free to apply for jobs mentioning 3-5 years of experience. Follow the strategy mentioned in this article to gain recruiter's confidence that you understand the job and you are skilled enough to get started with it.
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