Posted on November 28, 2006 by BioJobBlogger

Hot Jobs in the Bioscience Industry

The biotechnology and medical devices industries are poised for expansive growth over the next decade. Unlike previous biotechnology booms, in which R & D jobs were plentiful, there are ongoing shortages of qualified job candidates in the areas of clinical development, biomanufacturing, medical devices and medical communications.

There need for clinical development personnel dates back to the late 1990s. Typically, qualifications for these jobs include some medical training, e.g. nursing, medical, etc., and a willingness to work long hours and travel frequently. Although clinical training programs have emerged over the past five years, demand for clinical employees still outstrips supply and jobs are plentiful in this area.

The biomanufacturing industry has exploded in the past five years. This is largely due to the growing numbers of biotechnology products that are gaining regulatory approval and the advent of disposable manufacturing technologies. Like the clinical development field, there are a small number of biomanufacturing training programs in the U.S. Again, qualified candidates are scare and the numbers of jobs in this area are large.

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Posted on November 27, 2006 by BioJobBlogger

Interviewing 101: Preparing for the Face-to-Face Job Interview

The phone rings, you answer and hear- “Hello, this is Ms. Jones the Director of Human Resources at Acme Pharmaceuticals. You applied for a job several weeks ago and we would like to invite you in for a job interview. What dates would you be available to come in and visit with us”? After the adrenaline rush has worn off and your elation has dwindled to a manageable level, it is time to consider how to prepare for the big event. I offer some advice that you may find useful.

I highly recommend that when the HR director asks “What dates might you be available for the interview” you DO NOT respond with comments like “Any time” or “How about tomorrow”? Eagerness is an admirable trait but not in this case. It is important to know that this situation represents an opportunity for job candidates to gain some control over or power in the interviewing process. This can easily be accomplished leaving a prospective employer with the impression that you are “busy”. However, you must remember that there is fine line between “busy” and uncooperative or not interested! If you are given a choice of several dates, I recommend that you carefully check your calendar and schedule the interview on a date and at time that is most convenient for you, i.e. you do not have any pressing deadlines or any work-related issues that might heighten your anxiety levels. Once the date and times are firmly established there are few things that you ought to do to prepare for the interview.
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Posted on November 27, 2006 by BioJobBlogger

The Truth About Networking

The advent of social networking sites like My Space, Linked-In, Face book and other websites of that ilk have taken the concept of "networking" to new levels. However, is sitting in front of computer thanking people for adding them to their friend's list really what networking is suppose to be about? I think not!

Networking in its most meaningful and seminal form is about interacting with others " in real time" and in "face to face" situations. Yes, I know it takes time and energy to get from in front of that computer screen, but we humans are social creatures and for the most part (with few exceptions) we all crave real-live human contact. So what is the deal about networking and how is it really done?
One of the first things that a person who is interested in networking must do is to design and print about 500 business cards. Yes, it will take time and some cash to accomplish this, but without a business card nobody who you meet will remember you. Business cards ought to contain your name and all of your contact details and provide some basic information about you, i.e. PhD.D. , job title etc. Adding some graphics or design details are a plus if they are done tastefully and do not detract from you as a candidate.

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Posted on November 22, 2006 by BioJobBlogger

Interviewing 101: Looks Do Count

In general, a majority of scientists do not pay attention to their appearance or physical presentation.  I believe that this behavior is based on both functional and philosophical considerations.  First, because most scientists spend a majority of their time in laboratory settings, it simply does not make sense to wear "good clothes" to work.  Second, many scientists believe that the quality of their work rather than their appearance is all that matters.  Although these practices and assumptions may be useful for university settings, they are simply not acceptable in the industrial world.  In fact, in the real world "looks do matter". To that end, if you are looking for an industrial or non-academic job, I have several recommendations for you to consider when you go on job interviews.

Acceptable dress for job interviews is suits or sport jackets for men and business suits or dresses for woman. If you are wearing a dress, I recommend that it be conservative and one that is not sexually provocative. And guys, please make sure that the color of your shoes matches the color of your suit or sports jacket and pants (brown and gray do not work).  I recommend that all nose studs or rings be removed, men should not wear earings and all tatoos ought to be covered.  Also, I highly recommend that your hair is washed and that you are clean shaven (except men with beards or mustaches) and if you are wearing makeup (women) make sure that it is appropriate for a job interview (not clubbing). 

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Posted on November 20, 2006 by BioJobBlogger

Why Get a Ph.D. Degree?

Over the years,  I spent a lot of time pondering why I  ever decided to  pursue a Ph.D. degree.  LIke many people who choose this career path, I was primarily motivated by a desire to learn and a liking for science (in my case microbiology).  I became fascinated with the intricacies of the molecular world and decided it would "not be a bad thing" to wax romantically about science for the rest of my life.  The obvious (and only ) career path for me was an academic one, where I could do what I want and behave as unprofessionally as I wanted because, at the end of the day,  the only thing that really mattered was "the science". 

Back in the day (when I got my Ph.D.) university jobs were plentiful and an academic career path was not only a viable one, but it was expected of most newly-minted  Ph.Ds.  However, things have changed considerably since those days and academic jobs are few and far between in 2006.  Unfortunately, industry and government  R &D jobs are also relatively scare these days.  The one that that I learned throughout my career is that once an individual is tagged "as a Ph.D"., the assumption is that the only thing that individual can do is scientific research.  Whether that assumption is correct or not, it is irrelevant because hiring managers and company executives believe that  Ph.Ds are only good at doing research.  Paradoxically, spending 6-10 years to obtain a Ph.D. degree, may  have been the worst thing that an individual could have done if they wanted to obtain gainful employment in the life sciences industry.

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