Applying for Jobs

To have multiple job offers is a position we all want to be in. I’m sure if you’re early in your job search, it seems like a dream to have more than one offer. So what happens if you do find yourself in this position? At first, you might be filled with elation at the choice you have. Then you may realise that you actually have to make quite a tough decision!

This situation presents it’s own challenges like FOMO (fear of missing out), wanting to avoid regret, and wanting to make the best decisio…

Job searching can seem like such a big task nowadays. We change jobs more often, so it seems like more of a regular occurrence in our lives. This means that having a system in place to manage our job search is now more important. The system doesn’t need to be complicated, but it’s worth having one in place to track key elements of your job search. I use a simple spreadsheet with the following elements to track my applications:

1. Company

This is useful to track because if you are applying…

Succeeding at a graduate assessment centre is a common dream amongst many graduates who are looking for their next step. I have had multiple experiences of graduate assessment centres and can testify to how intense they can be! Unlike a single interview, they assess you from many different angles. Often, a graduate assessment centre includes elements such as a:

• 1:1 interview
• Panel interview
• Presentation
• Written test
• Written exercise
• Role play
• Group exercise

It won’t necessarily inclu…

When I applied for business roles in science industries, I had to figure out how to position my scientific skills most effectively. I wanted to put the skills gained from my degree to good use, but it’s not always easy when applied to non-scientific roles. However, there are many ways to demonstrate your suitability for one of these roles using your scientific skills. Here are some ways you can position your scientific skills whilst job searching:

1. Demonstrating understanding of scientific c…

Whenever I am searching for jobs outside the lab, I do specific research at each stage of the process. This is in addition to preparing to actually write my application or answer interview questions. The amount and depth of research increases at each stage. It means I am well equipped with enough knowledge to be prepared, but not overwhelmed with too much information. Here is the type of research I recommend you do at each stage of the job application process:

1. Before deciding whether to app…

When applying for science jobs outside the lab, writing cover letters can feel like the most taxing part of the process. Even though it’s tempting to write one version and just change the company and position name for multiple roles, you do have to spend time tailoring each one. Cover letters are probably the part of the job application process I spend the most time and thought on. They are a chance to showcase your skills, experience and motivation for the position and company. You can expand o…

When I wrote my first CV, I wasn’t sure whether to emphasise my experience or education. So I followed the standard formatting I saw on other people’s CVs. This always meant putting a section with my education first, then my experience, followed by skills and other interests.

Since then, I realised how much you need to tailor each CV to the job you’re applying for. As I have applied for a range of jobs, I’ve realised they can look quite different to each other. Not only will the content look di…

When I decided to apply for jobs outside academia after graduating, I felt a sense of discomfort. I realised I was experiencing what many term imposter syndrome. It’s something a lot of us have when taking a path that we feel fearful of. If we feel we are not fully qualified for a job, or are doing something outside of our comfort zone, imposter syndrome can manifest itself.

Imposter syndrome can be felt in a lot of different ways. For science graduates, it can come up when taking ‘alternative …

Getting a job in big Pharma is often a goal of science graduates. It’s seen as an ideal place to work if you don’t want to pursue an academic path. If you don’t want to do research at all, there are a diverse range of other science-related roles available. You can also do pure business roles that still allow you to work in a science context. I graduated with a Biology degree and ended up working in Human Resources at a global pharmaceutical company. Here are my tips for getting a job in this ind…

More often than not, you will have a telephone interview as the second stage of a recruitment process. If you are at this stage, it means the company is interested in interviewing you, but they want to understand your CV in more depth. They also need to suss out your motivations for applying for the role and company. It can also be a chance to filter people through asking questions about their contractual requirements e.g. location, start date and salary requirements.

Telephone interviews will …