| v> | | | | Writers that has biotech / pharmaceutical industry |
| You’re a scientist, you’re very well | | | | experience (there are only a handful around the |
| educated, you’re intelligent, and so writing | | | | nation). It is invaluable to get that key “hiring |
| your own résumé should be easy, | | | | manager perspective”, simply because you |
| correct? I mean, how hard could it be? Especially if | | | | may not know you are doing anything wrong in your |
| you have written your own thesis or dissertation in | | | | résumé. Have you ever sent your |
| the past, you may feel that you can save the $300 | | | | résumé to a prospective employer, |
| bucks (or however much it costs, even if it is a tax | | | | and it just seems like a black hole? There is zero |
| deduction!) and simply do it yourself. The answer to | | | | feedback; it is almost as if you had never sent your |
| this may surprise you… | | | | résumé at all. The reason why this |
| Sometimes you can write your own | | | | happens is that you may not be a match for the |
| résumé, and write it well. From my | | | | position, even if you feel like you are. It is amazing |
| experience as an industry recruiter, where I saw | | | | what red flags can go for a hiring manager just from |
| hundreds of scientific résumés every | | | | your résumé, so you need to be |
| day, there would be maybe 1 or 2 | | | | very, very careful in how you word and structure |
| résumés that were REALLY well | | | | your experience. |
| written. Then there was the tier of | | | | Step 4: You are ready to edit! And edit again, and |
| résumés that you had to suffer | | | | edit again! Don’t you dare hit the |
| through in order to find out the actual skills that the | | | | “SEND” button on your email until you |
| individual possessed. I will confess, there are times | | | | have had at least 3 friends review your |
| when I threw out a résumé because | | | | résumé. And those friends need to |
| it was simply too jumbled, and it was just frustrating | | | | be harsh about their feedback, not nice! Your |
| to read. | | | | friendship may suffer for a week or so (but I |
| Here are some tips: | | | | sincerely hope not!), yet your résumé |
| Step 1: What are the secrets to writing a great | | | | will be all the better for it, and honestly, this is the |
| résumé? First, you need to have a | | | | only way your résumé will improve. |
| plan. Get an actual written example of the position to | | | | This is perhaps the most humbling part, because it is |
| which you are applying. Your résumé | | | | human nature to be offended when someone |
| has to be tailored to this position, or your | | | | critiques your work. I’m not just talking about |
| résumé ends up looking too general. I | | | | grammar, either, although this is probably the most |
| know there are times when you are a bit lost, and | | | | popular offense. Your friends have to really be able |
| you don’t know what kind of job you want. | | | | to THINK like a hiring manager, and your |
| My advice? Find out. Unless you are a new graduate, | | | | résumé needs to reflect your |
| a general résumé will only hurt more | | | | strengths, highlight your true skills, and lowlight all |
| than help. | | | | those things you want to hide. |
| Step 2: Organize your abilities. Focus on skills, not | | | | Yes, it is certainly easier to simply contract a |
| research projects. I can’t say this enough. | | | | Certified Professional Résumé Writer |
| The title of your dissertation is really not as | | | | to write your resume. It saves you the headache, |
| interesting as the fact that you conducted small | | | | saves at least 10 hours of your time, and gives you |
| molecule scale up in a Medicinal Chemistry | | | | the confidence that you end up with a legal |
| Department and have experience with HPLC and | | | | document with which you can be proud. The |
| NMR. Don’t be afraid to sell your most | | | | downside of course, is that it will cost you money. |
| marketable skills! | | | | Your resume may be tax deductible, however, so |
| Step 3: Know what a hiring manager wants to see | | | | make sure you check with your financial advisor to |
| and give it to them! This is where it becomes very | | | | see if this applies to you. |
| hard, and it’s a bit like playing Russian | | | | But if you don’t have the money, make sure |
| Roulette unless you know the industry, the market | | | | you have some good friends around, the kind that |
| forecast, and recent downsizing / shifts within the | | | | can withstand the rigors of editing! |
| industry. This is one of the main reasons why people | | | | Copyright © 2005 Apex Resumes. |
| use a Certified Professional Résumé | | | | |