How to Ask for a Raise

One of the more awkward things in any employee’s career is asking a boss or supervisor for a raise. There is no right or easy way to successfully accomplish this often gut-wrenching task. That said, I came across a post that provides some insights into the process and offers some tips on how to optimize negotiations to get the raise that you think you deserve!

Of course, this post is only relevant for those of us who still have jobs! Nevertheless, some of the tips offered in the article will come in handy when negotiating a new compensation package for your next job.

Until next time….

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!

Office Politics: Handling and Managing Annoying Co-Workers

Everybody who works for a living has to learn how to deal with annoying co-workers who, either directly or indirectly, may have an effect on your career trajectory. Managing difficult co-workers is essential if you want to learn how to adroitly deal with workplace politics. I came across a well-crafted post that identifies 6 unique, annoying co-worker personality types and offers advice on how to effectively leverage these troublesome personalities to your benefit.

1. The Naysayer. This office dweller delights in shooting down ideas. Even during "blue sky" brainstorming sessions, where all suggestions are to be contemplated with an open mind, the Naysayer immediately pooh-poohs any proposal that challenges the status quo.

The right approach: Because great solutions often rise from diverse opinions, withhold comment -- and judgment -- until the appropriate time. Moreover, be tactful and constructive when delivering criticism or alternative viewpoints.

2. The Spotlight Stealer. There is definitely an "I" in "team" according to this glory seeker, who tries to take full credit for collaborative efforts and impress higher-ups. This overly ambitious corporate climber never heard a good idea he wouldn't pass off as his own.

The right approach: Win over the boss and colleagues by being a team player. When receiving kudos, for instance, publicly thank everyone who helped you. "I couldn't have done it without ..." is a savvy phrase to remember.

3. The Buzzwordsmith. Whether speaking or writing, the Buzzwordsmith sacrifices clarity in favor of showcasing an expansive vocabulary of clichéd business terms. This ineffective communicator loves to "utilize" -- never just "use" -- industry-specific jargon and obscure acronyms that muddle messages. Favorite buzzwords include "synergistic," "actionable," "monetize," and "paradigm shift."

The right approach: Be succinct. Focus on clarity and minimize misunderstandings by favoring direct, concrete statements. If you're unsure whether the person you are communicating with will understand your message, rephrase it, using "plain English."

4. The Inconsiderate Emailer. Addicted to the "reply all" function, this "cc" supporter clogs colleagues' already-overflowing inboxes with unnecessary messages. This person also marks less-than-critical emails as "high priority" and sends enormous attachments that crash unwitting recipients' computers.

The right approach: Break the habit of using email as your default mode of communication, as many conversations are better suited for quick phone calls or in-person discussions. The benefit? The less email you send, the less you're likely to receive.

5. The Interrupter. The Interrupter has little regard for others' peace, quiet or concentration. When this person is not entering your work area to request immediate help, the Interrupter is in meetings loudly tapping on a laptop, fielding calls on a cell phone, or initiating off-topic side conversations.

The right approach: Don't let competing demands and tight deadlines trump basic common courtesy. Simply put, mind your manners to build healthy relationships at work.

6. The Stick in the Mud. This person is all business all of the time. Disapproving of any attempt at levity, the constant killjoy doesn't have fun at work and doesn't think anyone else should either.

The right approach: Have a sense of humor and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself once in awhile. A good laugh can help you build rapport, boost morale, and deflate tension when working under stressful situations.

Do you recognize any of your co-workers who fit the bill? Or, perhaps more worrisome, do you fit into any of these categories. Food for thought……..

Until next time…

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting (remember those workplace politics)!!!!!!!!

The Changing World of Interviewing

With the price of gas and travel skyrocketing, many companies are cutting back on the number of face-to-face job interviews that they conduct. Instead, companies are resorting to alternate interviewing strategies that include multiple phone interviews, videoconferencing interviews and yes, even virtual interviews (check out Second Life) —how cool is that!!!! 

This means that job candidates must adapt to these new format in order to remain competitive. I came across an article that discusses how to approach and successfully manage these new interviewing formats.

Just remember to keep those wings and halos to a minimum during your next virtual interview!!!!

Until next time…

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!

Some Tips on Finding a Job in a Tough Job Market

Peggy McKee, the medical sales recruiter, offers some words of wisdom and advice on finding a job in today’s challenging job market. Read and learn….Hat tip to Peggy for the insights!

We’re in some tough economic times right now, and that can make it that much harder to find a job.  To help you out, Fortune magazine has 7 tips for job hunting in a tougher market.  They include:

1.  Request more face-to-face meetings.  Get your face in front of recruiters and your network instead of relying on e-mails and phone calls.  It will make more of an impression. 

2.  Step up your job-search activity.  This makes sense.  In many ways, a job search (like sales calls) is a numbers game.  Increase your odds by increasing your activity.

3.  Try to be as flexible as you can.  Consider contract work, part-time work, or starting at a lesser salary than you were hoping for.  It gets your foot in the door for other opportunities later.  Besides, less money is better than no money, right?

4.  Consider relocating.  Top jobs aren’t always where you are.  I love the idea of relocating and expanding your horizons…trying something new. 

5.  Scour the hidden job market.  Many jobs aren’t advertised.  Be proactive.  Use your network.  Or contact employers directly.  They might appreciate your initiative.

6.  Spend very little of your time on Internet job boards and help-wanted ads.  Look, but don’t focus.  Everyone’s looking here. 

7.  Take advantage of social networking sites.  Personally, I love LinkedIn.  But also, use MySpace or Facebook as part of your networking tactics.  Just be careful to keep it professional. 

Here are some more great tips to heat up your job search.  One last great idea (from the Sales Hub):   

You never know when or where you may meet a prospective employer. Memory sticks, flash-drives, or email versions of your resume on your Blackberry, Treo or iPhone are must-haves in today’s volatile employment market.

Until next time,

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!!

BioJobBlog Talks with the Recruiting Animal

I was contacted by the Recruiting Animal to see whether I would be interested in joining him on his show, to talk about recruiting in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields. Although I am a recovering recruiter and have not placed a single candidate in the past 5 years, I decided what the heck—what do I have to lose?

For those of you who are interested you can hear my pearls of wisdom by clicking the icon below.

 

 

Until next time…

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!

Are You Ready for Your Job Interview?

When I was working as a recruiter, I always called my candidates a day before a scheduled face-to-face job interview. I did this to reassure them, build confidence and provide them with any insights that I may have had regarding the hiring manager or the job. But, more importantly, I called to insure that they were adequately prepared to go on the interview. I typically talked with them about dress, interview etiquette, cell phone usage, body language etc. Sometimes, when I was concerned about particular candidates, I even sent (via fax or e-mail) an interview preparation checklist. 

Although I am not a big fan of checklists, many people find them useful! To that end, I discovered this . The notion of taking an online interview preparedness quiz may seem silly to many of you, but I can tell you with certainty that I had more than one highly qualified candidate fail to get a job offer because they were poorly dressed, didn’t turn off cell phones or incapable of making eye-contact during their face-to-face. 

The quiz takes about 5 minutes to complete and there are interview tidbits embedded in every answer. You can even take it on your Blackberry, Sidekick or cell phone of choice! It may make the difference between a job offer or not.

Until next time….

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!

Networking: Do Handshakes Really Make a Difference?

Much has been said (and written) about the impact and power of a firm handshake in business settings. Are the urban legends and "old wives tales" really true? Peggy McKee the medical sales recruiter , weighs in on the subject in a recent post.

According to Peggy, a recent study suggests that, all other factors being equal, a firm handshake will give you the edge you need in getting the job.  The Fine Art of the Handshake gives you several pointers to remember on grip strength, eye contact, where to stand, and what to say.  But mostly, just remember to be firm, friendly, and confident. The firm handshake thing is appropriate for both men and women!  Also, remember that the firm handshake applies to both men and woman!

For more information about handshakes and other networking strategies please contact Peggy!

Until next time....

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!

Ten Tips for the Interview Follow-Up

I came across this excellent article written by Carol Martin a professional career coach.  The tips that she provides are useful and have stood the test of time!  So read and learn!!!!

Not getting a follow-up call when promised is a very common occurrence. Candidates are sometimes sure that they aced the interview and are perfect for the position, in fact they are anticipating a call and an offer. But instead they get "nothing." No offer; no call. They never hear from the company. This is not only frustrating, but reflects poorly on the company. In fact it is rude. What can you do about this situation? Here are some tips on how to handle the follow up that may save you from some anxiety.

1. Try to find out about the decision-process before you leave the interview. Ask when you could expect to hear back. Take that date and then add a few days before you start to worry.

2. Always send a follow up addressing any concerns you may have picked up or any thoughts you had about the position since the interview. Think of this as one more chance to put yourself in front of them.

3. After you have waited for a reasonable period beyond the date they stated, call and inquire as to the status of the position and whether you are still in the running.

4. As a general rule, don't call on Mondays - bad day to market anything. 5. If you leave a message inquiring about the status of the job, and no one calls you back after a couple of attempts - move on and forget about it. Don't call back more than a couple of times. There is a fine line between being persistent and being a pest. 6. If you are told you are no longer under consideration, try asking for feedback (most of the time they won't give you any, but still worth a try). Ask if there is any additional information that you can supply that will convince them that you are the right person for the job.

7. Don't rely on one job interview. No matter what was said in the interview – continue your search. There have been too many bad examples of those who thought they were a shoe-in - only to get a reject letter.

8. Don't take it personally! There are about a thousand reasons that could have affected your chances.

9. Accept the fact that not all companies are right for you. Just like blind dates - they are checking you out and you are checking them out. Sometimes it's chemistry – and sometimes it wasn't right for you – for whatever reason.

10.Try not to get discouraged by the rejects. It's a numbers game and your turn will come if you hang in there.

Copyright (c) 2007 Carole Martin, The Interview Coach

Until Next Time….

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!

Looks Do Matter!

Who hasn’t heard the old adages “Beauty is only skin deep” or “It’s not what’s on the outside but what’s on the inside that counts?” While these sayings may be apt when looking for a soul mate, they are absolutely not true when it comes to networking or job interviews. I know this may seem shallow and superficial, but the stark reality is that appearance does count when making a first impression or finding a job. There is nothing wrong in adopting a “superficial” persona when it comes to job interviews or networking. I know; we scientists work hard to avoid being superficial and shallow, but let’s face it, sometime you just gotta do what you gotta do to get or job or advance your career!

I came across a great article that provides outstanding guidance on this subject. Also, for you fashion-challenged individuals, I found a well-crafted article that describes what job candidates ought not to wear to job interviews.

Until next time….

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!

Are You Ready for Your Interview?

When the job market gets tough, it is the “little things” that can make the difference between a job offer and a rejection letter. As you all know by now, face-to-face interviews are the “make or break” event in any job search. To that end, any edge that you can get may make the difference between being employed or receiving unemployment benefits in today’s job market. Although I am not a big fan of quizzes or surveys, it may be worth the time to take an ‘interview preparedness’ quiz that I found on Monster.com. I want to state upfront that I didn’t take the quiz nor can I vouch for its accuracy. That said, remember; it is the little things that frequently determine your fate at job interviews. 

Let me know how you fared!

Until next time…

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!

Who is Driving Your Company/Organization?

I often wonder what makes companies/organizations tick! Based on my personal experiences, I am amazed that anything gets done in highly structure corporate/ organizational setting. My observations have caused me to think about the different personality types of the people who make up the corporate/organizational workforce. While reading business section of Saturday’s NY Times I happened upon the musings of Robert Kiyosaki, whose ideas about organizational personality types were surprisingly consistent with mine. 

Mr. Kiyosaki posits that there are only 4 personality types found in any organization. They are:

  1. Those who want to be liked. “These are the social directors who want everyone to be happy, especially with them.”
  2. Those who want to be comfortable. They want job security. They will do a good job, “but don’t expect them to stretch or push themselves” or to respond well to pressure.
  3. Those who want to be right. “These people are strong in their opinions and will defend their ideas to the death.” They can be reluctant to accept other points of view.
  4. Those who want to win. They have the “drive and tenacity” to succeed.

According to Mr. Kiyosaki, no one type is better than another. He says that “Understanding them — as well as yourself, your strengths and what inspires you — is the foundation for long-term growth and success.”

I am having a little difficulty deciding whether I fit into categories C or D. I am thinking C but D is mighty attractive too. Nah, I am definitely a C .  So, where do you fit in?

Until next time…

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!

Another 2007 Best List: GlaxoSmithKline Voted the Most Ethical Pharmaceutical Company

Geneva-based Covalence published its third annual ethical reputation ranking, giving the best ranked companies as well as those companies which have made the most progress in 2007.

Best EthicalQuote Score and Best EthicalQuote Progress are given by confronting positive and negative news. Best Reported Performance is calculated by quantifying positive news only – it shows how companies report on their ethical performance without considering criticisms and demands.

Best EthicalQuote Score

  1. GlaxoSmithKline
  2. Johnson & Johnson
  3. Bristol Myers Squibb
  4. Abbott
  5. Novartis
  6. Roche
  7. Boehringer Ingelheim
  8. Astra Zeneca
  9. Pfizer
  10. Sanofi Aventis

Best EthicalQuote Progress

  1. GlaxoSmithKline
  2. Abbott
  3. Johnson & Johnson
  4. Sanofi Aventis
  5. Boehringer Ingelheim
  6. Schering Plough
  7. Takeda
  8. Astra Zeneca
  9. Bristol Myers Squibb
  10. Amgen

Best Reported Performance

  1. GlaxoSmithKline
  2. Abbott
  3. Novartis
  4. Wyeth
  5. Merck & Co Inc
  6. Pfizer
  7. Johnson & Johnson
  8. Eli Lilly
  9. Sanofi Aventis
  10. Astra Zeneca

Finally, some good news for GSK in 2007!!!!

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!

Novartis to Build New Biomanufacturing Facility in Singapore

Novartis announced late last year that it intends to invest about $700 million to build a new biomanufacturing facility in Singapore. Construction will begin in early in 2008 and the plant is expected to be fully-operational by 2012. The new cell culture production facility will employ approximately 300 people and support manufacturing of both clinical and commercially-available products, mostly monoclonal antibodies.

At present, biologics and protein-based biotechnology products represent about 25% of Novartis’ drug pipeline. Most of these products are owned and manufactured by Novartis’ wholly owned subsidiary .

You gotta tip your hat to Singapore—their government-sanctioned plan to invest billions of dollars into biomedical research seems to be paying off!

Until next time

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting (try Singapore)!!!!!!

Contracting Has Been Very Good to Me!

For those of you who are interested, I wrote an article about contract work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry that appeared in Science Careers about a week ago.

As many of you may know, I am a contractor so I can "walk the walk and talk the talk".  That said, for those of you looking for employment try contracting on for size.  You may like it!  Borrowing from Garrett Morris a fomer '70s Saturday Night Live alum "Contracting has been berry  berry good to me"!

Until Next Time....

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!

Guess What Isn't On the Projected Growth List!

If you are contemplating a career move, check out the new list from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that projects the fastest-growing  jobs from 2006 to 2016.

Forecast percentage growth from 2006 to 2016

Network/data analysts (53%)

Personal and home care aids (51%)

Home health aides (49%)

Software engineers (45%)

Veterinary technicians (41%)

Personal finance advisors (41%)

Theatrical makeup artists (40%)

Medical assistants (35%)

Veterinarians (35%)

Substance abuse and behavorial disorder counselors (34%)

A quick perusal of the list reveals that most of the jobs are service-oriented with perhaps the exception of software engineers and maybe veterinarians. We Americans do love our pets and who doesn’t like a good Broadways show or Hollywood film. Of course, it goes without saying that we have a need for many more personal finance advisors and, given all the stress associated with becoming rich, who can argue against an increased need for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors?  After looking at the list, do you think we should begin to worry a little about America’s loss of competitiveness in science and technology? 

 

Until next time….

 

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting (if there are any left by 2016)!!!!!!!

Amgen Slapped with Two Federal Subpoenas

The NY Times reported today that Amgen has disclosed that it recently received two federal subpoenas seeking documents related to its products Neupogen, Neulasta and Aranesp.

In a quarterly report with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it intended to cooperate in responding to the subpoenas, issued by the United States attorneys’ offices for the Eastern District of New York and Western District of Washington.

Amgen also disclosed that it was sued in New Jersey this month by the Sheet Metal Workers National Health Fund.

According to the S.E.C. filing, the lawsuit says Amgen engaged in an “anticompetitive tying arrangement and pricing scheme” involving the sale of Neupogen and Neulasta, used against the side effects of chemotherapy, and Aranesp, an anemia drug.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a monopoly in this country…Go figure!!!

Until Next Time

Being Smart is Not Always Enough

The firestorm that was ignited by the seemingly racist remarks made by Nobel Laureate James Watson several weeks ago started me thinking about scientists and the way that they are trained. In general, scientists emphasize and place an inordinately high premium on “being smart”. If graduate students or postdoctoral fellows are deemed to be “really smart”, their mentors tend to overlook inappropriate or, in some instances, antisocial behavior.  Further, and perhaps more egregiously, they do little to help these students and postdocs overcome or correct their in appropriate or bad behavior. Consequently, these individuals continue to behave inappropriately and believe that, because they are smart, they can do or say whatever they want without fear of punishment or retribution. 

 

I can recall a conversation that I had as a postdoctoral fellow during a visit with an award-winning faculty member from my old department about a faculty member (let’s call him Dr. X) who worked in the department where I was doing my postdoctoral work. During our conversation, I mentioned that Dr. X treated his people badly and frequently humiliated them at departmental meetings and social gatherings. I will never forget what she said in response to my remarks–“Yes, everyone knows that Dr. X has problems and he treats his graduate students and postdoctoral fellows badly, but he is brillant and so successful that people are willing to overlook his shortcomings”.  As I look back, this conversation had a greater impact on my career than I care to acknowledge.

 

During my 7 years as a tenure-track Assistant Professor, I totally bought into the notion that being smart is all that matters. I expected people to give me the benefit of any doubt even though I may have acted inappropriately or behaved badly in certain situations. Unfortunately, after I left academia ( fro the record-I was smart enough), and began working in the "real world", I discovered the hard way that being smart is simply not enough to keep a job or advance a career.

 

As I see it, Watson is just another casualty in a long list of world-renown scientists who finally pushed the limits of civility and tolerance to a breaking point and justly received what he deserved-- an appropriate punishment that, many feel, was long overdue. I think that the Watson spectacle ought to be a wake up call for the folks who are currently training the next generation of scientists—being smart is certainly important but it is simply not enough to insure a long, successful and untainted scientific career.

 

Until next time....

 

Good Luck and Good (Smart?) Job Hunting !!!!!!!!!! 

More Product Recalls at Wyeth

The news from Wyeth gets more and more interesting every day.  It was reported today that Wyeth intends to follow in the steps of Johnson & Johnson and pull its baby cold medications off the market over industry concerns that some caregivers are misusing the drugs, resulting in accidental overdose.

A Wyeth spokesman reported that the company will stop making Robitussin Infant Cough DM Drops, and will recall two products it discontinued last year, Dimetapp Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops and Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops. Wyeth also plans to place a warning on its other cold medications advising they should not be used on children under two years of age.

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting (not at Wyeth...)

Signs of a Slowing Job Market-Monster Worldwide, Inc. Announces Layoffs

Monster Worldwide, the company that runs the largest job board site Monster.com, quietly announced three weeks ago that is was laying off about 800 workers or approximately 15% of its workforce.

Monster Worldwide Inc. said mounting legal expenses associated with defending a growing U.S. government probe of its stock options grants practices were the reason for the job cuts.

The layoffs will mostly be in non-sales jobs in North America, Monster said.

The company also plans to streamline functions such as human resources and finance, Monster said.

It is not a harbinger of good things to come when the largest site on the web dedicated to helping individuals find employment downsizes its workforce to cut costs!

Until next time....

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting

Mea Culpa!

I just returned from a 3 week holiday in Wales and England ( I highly recommend a visit to both countries) and discovered that the links that I posted to The Freelancer Forum in a recent post and in the links section of biojobblog were non-functional.  My apologies for the oversight!  Both links have been corrected and you can easily reach the freelancerforum website from biojobblog.

I will be posting several new pieces over the next week or so...so stay tuned!!!!

Until next time.........

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Business Cards: Are They Really Necessary?

What is the real purpose of a business card? Everyone knows that they ought to have one but do they really help to generate business or aid in a job search? According to the “experts”, a business card is an integral part of any corporate or personal marketing plan (that’s right it is okay to market yourself). Of course, you can't expect a business card to tell the whole story about you or your company. That said, the real purpose of a business card is to present a professional image or impression so that people will remember who you are after they meet you.
It goes without saying that a business card can make or break a client's first impression of you or your company. In fact, it is likely that this little card makes as much of an impression as your personal appearance, the clothes you wear or the blackberry model that you carry! With this in mind, I offer the following suggestions regarding creation of business cards for personal or corporate use.

Information On the Card

You MUST include your name, title, company name, address, phone number (or numbers, if you want to include your cell), e-mail and Web site. After all, if someone wants to contact you after receiving your card, you contact information better be on it!

Business Card Style

Choose a card style that's appropriate for your business, industry or personal style.. When crafting a design, start with the style that best supports the business image you wish to project. To help you get started, here are five different card styles for you to consider:

Basic cards. A basic card is usually printed in black ink on plain white or cream stock.This is a good style to choose when utility is all you need. It's a no-nonsense approach that can appeal to clients and prospects who would not be impressed by fancy design features-the people who want "just the facts, ma'am." The design is simple, and the information is clear and concise.

Picture cards. Having your face on your card-whether it's a photograph, a drawing or a caricature-helps a contact remember you the next time he or she sees you. Images representing a product or service, or a benefit your business provides, can help you communicate your business better than dozens of words. A splash of color (rather than just black and white) is often helpful on a picture card, too.

Tactile cards. Some cards are distinguished not so much by how they look as by how they feel. They may use nonstandard materials, such as metal or wood, or have unusual shapes, edges, folds or embossing. Tactile cards tend to be considerably more expensive than regular cards because they use nonstandard production processes such as die cuts. But for some businesses, this more unusual card may be worth the price.

Multipurpose cards. A card can do more than promote your name and business-it can also serve as a discount coupon, an appointment reminder or some other function. It may also provide valuable information that the average person may need. For example, a hotel may include a map on the back of its card for any guests who are walking around the local area. A card of any type can be made multipurpose by adding any of these types of features.

Outside-the-box cards. A wildly original, fanciful or extravagant presentation can draw extra attention. Creativity knows no bounds-except the amount of money you wish to spend. Some examples are cards made of chocolate or that folded out into a miniature box to keep small items in.

Continue Reading...

High Drug Co-Pays Contribute to Reduced Medical Care and Lost Employee Productivity....Duh!

The New York Times reported today that employers that shift too much of the cost of drugs to workers in their company health plans could wind up losing more than they save, through absenteeism and lost productivity, according to a study by health policy researchers. The three-year study looked at the medical histories of several thousand workers suffering from rheumatoid arthritis; a painful and incurable disease of the joints that can be treated by several monoclonal antibody-based biotechnology drugs and other treatments.

The cost, as much as $18,000 a year, can be a big expense for employer health plans. Still, putting too much of the cost burden on the employee can evidently backfire. Among the 17 employers in the study, conducted by the nonprofit Integrated Benefits Institute, more than half the workers with rheumatoid arthritis were not taking their drugs — in many cases because they considered the out-of-pocket co-payments too high. As a

Continue Reading...

Back in the Saddle Again

Hi Gang,

I want to apologize for not updating my blog for the past week or so.  I was in Washington D.C participating in several career development programs at the 2007 Experimental Biology Meeting from April 27 through May 1, 2007.  It was a great meeting and I highly recommend attending attending next year's program in San Diego.  After the EB meeting, I was back on the road again traveling to a business meeting for my new job in Atlantic City (yuck).  I am now a full time employee after ten years of being my own boss!   More on that later.

I hope to continue to write regularly about career developmeent and happenings in the bioscience industry. That said, if there are any readers (or aspiring bloggers) out there who are interested in writing guest posts or have any writing ideas please feel free to contact me. 

Until next time.....

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting

Something is NOT Rotten in the State of Denmark!

It is not surprising to learn that American economists believe that corporate downsizing and layoffs are necessary to keep the US economy vibrant. In marked contrast, European and Japanese economists feel that layoffs are barbaric and employee job security is vital for robust economic health. As is always the case, the reality is somewhere in between these two extremes.

In a recent article, Louis Uchitelle described a novel approach to job security that was conceived in Denmark. In the Danish model, employers are relatively free to “layoff” workers. When this occurs the Danish government steps in and provides benefits to laid-off employees that replaces 70 per cent of lost income for four years. The government also finances retraining and education, pressures unemployed workers to participate in the programs and then insists that the unemployed accept reasonable job offers or risk cuts in their benefits. At present, the Danish government devotes 3 percent of the nations GDP to training as compared with less than 1 percent in the US. The Danish approach appears to be working-unemployment is low and the economy is stable.

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Negotiating A Job Offer

I used to tell all my job candidates that getting a job offer was always the preferred result of a job interview (whether you wanted  the job or not). However, after an offer is extended, negotiating terms that are acceptable you may be more difficult than the job interview itself. The rule of thumb is that you should NEVER accept the first offer that is put on the table (unless of course, it is an offer that you cannot refuse). The first offer typically represents a Company’s initial attempt to get you onboard as “cheaply as possible”. That is not to say that a first offer will always be a bad offer. The company is simply testing the waters to determine what it is going to take to induce you to join the organization. Most corporate HR professionals expect that negotiations will be required to get a prospective new hire to sign on the dotted line. So, do not feel like you are being ungrateful if you choose to negotiate your job offer…it is expected!

In my experience, everyone wants a higher salary than the company is will to pay. That said, there is usually only about 5%-7% upward flexibility on starting salaries. However, it is important to emphasis that getting a nominal increase in starting salary may require a substantial amount of back and forth. Frequently, this back and forth can get a little uncomfortable and tense for both parties. That is why it is always a good idea to let a recruiter (if a recruiter brought the job opportunity to you) to do the negotiating for you! Companies want to keep starting salaries low because annual raises and bonuses are calculated based on an employee’s base salary. Sometimes, in lieu of an increase in starting salary increase, companies are willing to offer job candidates a signing bonus. The purpose of the signing bonus is to show the job candidate that the company is negotiating in good faith and that it more than willing to try to accommodate the financial needs of potential new hires. However, realize that a signing bonus is a “one time deal” and it will not factor into any subsequent raises or bonuses that you are awarded.

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Major New Job Trends for 2007

Matt Ferguson the CEO of Careerbuilder.com commisioned a survey to identify new trends in the job market for 2007.  The results fo the survey indicated that there may be as many as 7 new major trends in the job market for 2007. They are:

  1. Bigger Paychecks
  2. Increased Diversity Recruitment
  3. More Flexible Work Arrangements
  4. Rehiring Retirees
  5. More Promotions
  6. Better Training
  7. Hiring Overseas

As much as I respect the gurus over at Careerbuilder.com, these so-called trends do not seem like new ones to me. Call me crazy, but Ithe need for bigger paychecks, increases in diversity recruitment, more training and more flexible work arrangements has been long overdue for the American workforce.  Who knows, maybe something will change in 2007?

Until next time....

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Interviewing 101: Appropriate Interviewing Behavior

Congratulations! The resume that you spent many hours carefully crafting has resulted in a face-to-face interview at a Company that you are extremely interested in. After the adrenalin rush has worn off, you think “OMG, I have to put together a seminar, make travel arrangements and buy new clothes and shoes (well only if you are a woman)”. Although you may think that the hard part of your job search is over; think again….the fun is just beginning.

The fact that you been invited to a face-to-face interview means that you likely possess the knowledge and technical skills required to performed the job that was advertised. The true intent of a face-to-face interview is to determine whether a job candidate has the personality and so called “soft skills” to easily fit in with a company’s corporate culture. Corporate cultures and soft skill expectations vary widely from company to company. That said, it is important to remember that certain types of behavior are expected of ALL job candidates during a face-to-face interview. I discuss a few of these expected behaviors below.


First, regardless of the state of affairs in your personal or professional life, you must always be upbeat and positive. Every person you meet should be greeted with a smile and a comment that goes something like “It is a pleasure to meet you”. Nobody wants to talk with (or possibly work with) a chronically unhappy or negative person. True, there ought to be diversity in the workplace (unhappy people have rights too) but when it comes to a positive attitude it is a requirement in the corporate world. Second, always make eye contact with your interviewers. We are social creatures and not making eye contact may signal to the interviewer that you are either anti-social or lack basic interpersonal communication skills. Further, never interrupt an interviewer when they are asking you a question. Yes, everyone gets excited and wants to show the interviewer how smart they are, but cutting a person off in mid-sentence is not polite nor is it ever appreciated by the person who is talking. Always answer questions directly and honestly. Never exaggerate

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Workplace Politics

Regardless of whether you work at a pharmaceutical company, in academia or at a government agency there are always workplace politics to deal with. Everyone always complains about how difficult and brutal it is to maneuver their way through or around all of the politics at work. That said, how do you know when workplace politics are REALLY out of control? Dave Jensen, a fellow biotechnology career guru, published an interesting piece in the January/February 2007 issue of Contract Pharma that describes when workplace politics have gone amuck.  I adapted some of the signs indicate that you are working in a politically-charged workplace.

  1. Communication is indirect, unclear, controlled and often manipulated
  2. Conflicts always occur behind “closed doors” and are never publicly acknowledged
  3. Decisions are made by small, powerful cliques or groups of people
  4. People’s actions and decisions are always judged as  'good' or 'bad'
  5. Information is disseminated by gossip not organizational channels
  6. Management is often isolated and does not tell employees "what really is going on"
  7. Rather than dealing with problems management seeks and finds scapegoats
  8. Relationships and alliances are founded and built in secrecy
  9. Resistance to organizational policies ranges from passive to overly aggressive or destructive
  10. Mundane events are frequently overblown whereas significant issues are minimized 
  11. When things go badly, people blame each other and do not assume responsibility for situations that have arisen

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Revenge in the Workplace

Jena McGregor recently published an article in BusinessWeek/Online entitled “Sweet Revenge: The Power of Retribution, Spite and Loathing in the World of Business” She discusses how powerful the need for revenge is amongst individuals who feel that they were slighted, passed over for promotion or simply overlooked by management. This article brought to mind my own recent experience with revenge in the workplace.

I was working as a contractor for a major pharmaceutical company located in Collegeville, PA. I was assigned to a brand team (within the Publication and External Communications Department) that consisted of me, the Director of the Department and a project manager named “Maria”. The Director was listed on all formal internal communications as the lead writer and Maria was responsible for day to day management of all communications for the brand. I was hired on a 6 month contract to support the writing needs of the brand team. Not surprisingly, the Director never wrote anything (except e-mails), Maria knew next to nothing about the product and I wound up doing all of the

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Update on Pfizer Job Cuts

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc.  on Monday said it plans to cut 7,800 more jobs, including more than 20 percent of its European sales force, in an effort to save up to an additional $1 billion by the end of 2008.

I guess it could have been worse......Stay tuned for more.

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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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 exmployment in the life sciences industry.

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Resume Review and Career Advice

In my estimation. the first Post-Doc Career Fair sponsored by the Maryland Technical Council held at the University of Maryland-Shady Grove on May 23, 2006 appeared to be an unqualified success. Most of my time there was spent reviewing resumes and offering career advice to postdoctoral fellows who were willing to listen to me. I apologize for not posting the resume templates like I said I would last week at the fair. I have been extremely busy and will attempt to post them in the very near future. That said, let me make a few comments about resumes and career choices.First, you should consider a resume as a necessary first step in getting your "foot in the door" with prospective employers. With this in mind, a resume must quickly convey to a reader 1. who you are, 2. what you do and 3)why a company should consider you as a prospective employee. To that end, the most important information about yourself should be placed at the top of first page of the resume right underneath your name and contact information in a section entitled "Summary of Qualifications". This section should be carefully crafted to reflect who you are and why you are the right person for the job. The purpose of this section is to attempt to quickly "sell" yourself to a hiring authority. Since hiring managers typically spend only 30 to 60 sec. reviewing a resume to determine whether a candidate may be an appropriate "fit" for a job it is imperative that this section be carefully considered and clearly presented.Second, resumes are "living" documents. They are constantly changing and should be updated regularly to reflect career progress or acquisition of new skills. Stale resumes to do not win jobs!Third, resumes should be carefully checked for spelling, grammatical and typographical errors. A resume filled with these types of errors will signal to prospective employers that you are neither careful nor do you pay attention to detail. Nobody wants to hire a person like this into their organization.Finally, it is a tough job market out there right now for postdoctoral fellows. If you are no longer enamored with benchwork or think that you may want to pursue an alternate career path, now may be the time to explore those ideas. It may be difficult for you to objectively determine whether those alternate careers choices are right for you. I recommend that you seek out advice from reputable career counselors or individuals who are currently hold the types jobs that you are considering. This will enable you to get a better idea of what the job is REALLY about and whether you possess the requsite skills set and educational background to pursue a career in a specific area.Until next time.....Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!--------

Online Job Searches:Do They Work?

Like most scientists, the questions that I enjoy the most have simple answers. Black or white is much easier to deal with than shades of gray (although shades of gray can be titillating from a research perpective). With this in mind, the answer to my question about online job searches is a shade of gray rather than black or white. It goes without saying, that applying for jobs online is simple, facile, and extremely gratifying. On a given day, you can apply for thousands of jobs and feel like you have done something positive for your future. However, after you come out of your computer-induced blissful state,I want you to remember that tens of thousands of people have also done the same thing that you just did! Just think of those billions of bytes of information being transmitted to all of those websites. It is a wonder that the job boards never crash from traffic overload. Doyou ever wonder why you rarely hear back from employer regarding the poistions that you applied for? Have you ever thought about who reviews all of the resumes and cover letters that you and your colleagues send to job board and corporate websites? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is straightforward and obvious....data management/recruiting software. In other words, humans rarely look at any of the stuff that you send to their sites. Typically, resumes are reviewed by computers and if your resume does not contain the appropriate "key words" your chances for that job are remote. Consequently, I do not recommend that you use the internet exclusively to look for that new job. Nothing beats the tried and true method of networking and hitting the pavement to meet as many people as you can who you think can help you find a job. However, there is a light at the end of the job tunnel...at least for the more mature and experienced job seekers out there. As I like to remind my younger colleagues, "What we old guys lack in stamina we make up for with expertise"! All kidding aside, many of the jobs posted on the major job boards are placed there by professional recruiters. These recruiters are "trolling" for individuals with prior job experience (and a few gray hairs) because today's employers want job candidates with "previous industrial experience". Also, the longer you have been around, the more skills that you acquire which gives you more flexibility with regard to the different types of jobs that you can apply for. So, in a nutshell, if you have a few years of "real life" job experience under your belt, I highly recommend that you take advantage of any online job opportunities that are consistent with your skills and areas of expertise. If you do not have any prior job experience, I recommend that you spend more time on "My Space" rather than wasting your time on Monster! Good job hunting!!!!! --------

Career Development Expo in Washington D.C. Area

The Technology Council of Maryland is sponsoring its First Annual Post Doc and Career Expo in Rockville MD on May 23, 2006. It is an all day event focused on career opportunities in the life sciences, resume preparation, job hunting and interviewing skills. Yours truly, will be onsite a a presenter and resume reviewer. Please feel free to stop by and chat with me about your resume, career aspirations or simply about science!Good job hunting!!!!!!!!!--------

The Top Ten Interview Questions That You Hate to Answer

  1. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
  2. What are your strengths?
  3. What are your weaknesses?
  4. Why this company and not our competitors?
  5. May I contact your current employer?
  6. Are you willing to relocate?
  7. Why are you looking for a new job?
  8. Tell me about your greatest achievements
  9. Tell me about your most disappointing experience
  10. Describe how you overcame adversity in your life
I compiled this list based on my own exzperiences as both a job seeker and professional recruiter. As silly as some of these questions may seem, I recommend that you craft well thought out and careful responses to them. I would be willing to bet a lot of money that many, if not all, of these questions will appear during one or more of your pharmaceutical or biotechnology job interviews. Until next time; good luck and good job hunting! --------

The Art of Resume Writing

One of the many things that I was not taught in graduate school (or as a postdoctoral fellow for that matter), was how to prepare a resume. Despite opinions to the contrary, a resume is a very important document that must be well organized and carefully crafted. This is because the first thing that every hiring manager sees when looking for new employees is a job applicant's resume. As the old adage goes, first impressions are the most important and the ones that last the longest. That said,