How to Write a Scientific Resume

You're a scientist, you're very well educated, you're intelligent, and so writing your own résumé should be easy, correct? I mean, how hard could it be? Especially if you have written your own thesis or dissertation in the past, you may feel that you can save the $300 bucks (or however much it costs, even if it is a tax deduction!) and simply do it yourself. The answer to this may surprise you?

Sometimes you can write your own résumé, and write it well. From my experience as an industry recruiter, where I saw hundreds of scientific résumés every day, there would be maybe 1 or 2 résumés that were REALLY well written. Then there was the tier of résumés that you had to suffer through in order to find out the actual skills that the individual possessed. I will confess, there are times when I threw out a résumé because it was simply too jumbled, and it was just frustrating to read.

Here are some tips:

Step 1: What are the secrets to writing a great résumé? First, you need to have a plan. Get an actual written example of the position to which you are applying. Your résumé has to be tailored to this position, or your résumé ends up looking too general. I know there are times when you are a bit lost, and you don't know what kind of job you want. My advice? Find out. Unless you are a new graduate, a general résumé will only hurt more than help.

Step 2: Organize your abilities. Focus on skills, not research projects. I can't say this enough. The title of your dissertation is really not as interesting as the fact that you conducted small molecule scale up in a Medicinal Chemistry Department and have experience with HPLC and NMR. Don't be afraid to sell your most marketable skills!

Step 3: Know what a hiring manager wants to see and give it to them! This is where it becomes very hard, and it's a bit like playing Russian Roulette unless you know the industry, the market forecast, and recent downsizing / shifts within the industry. This is one of the main reasons why people use a Certified Professional Résumé Writers that has biotech / pharmaceutical industry experience (there are only a handful around the nation). It is invaluable to get that key "hiring manager perspective", simply because you may not know you are doing anything wrong in your résumé. Have you ever sent your résumé to a prospective employer, and it just seems like a black hole? There is zero feedback; it is almost as if you had never sent your résumé at all. The reason why this happens is that you may not be a match for the position, even if you feel like you are. It is amazing what red flags can go for a hiring manager just from your résumé, so you need to be very, very careful in how you word and structure your experience.

Step 4: You are ready to edit! And edit again, and edit again! Don't you dare hit the "SEND" button on your email until you have had at least 3 friends review your résumé. And those friends need to be harsh about their feedback, not nice! Your friendship may suffer for a week or so (but I sincerely hope not!), yet your résumé will be all the better for it, and honestly, this is the only way your résumé will improve. This is perhaps the most humbling part, because it is human nature to be offended when someone critiques your work. I'm not just talking about grammar, either, although this is probably the most popular offense. Your friends have to really be able to THINK like a hiring manager, and your résumé needs to reflect your strengths, highlight your true skills, and lowlight all those things you want to hide.

Yes, it is certainly easier to simply contract a Certified Professional Résumé Writer to write your resume. It saves you the headache, saves at least 10 hours of your time, and gives you the confidence that you end up with a legal document with which you can be proud. The downside of course, is that it will cost you money. Your resume may be tax deductible, however, so make sure you check with your financial advisor to see if this applies to you.

But if you don't have the money, make sure you have some good friends around, the kind that can withstand the rigors of editing!

Laura Innis Yaldo http://www.apexresumes.com/

Ms. Yaldo earned her Masters of Arts in Biology from Smith College and continued on to finish one year of doctoral studies in Biochemistry. After completing lab work in Europe, she worked at the Center for Aids Research (CFAR) in La Jolla, California, as a bench scientist. Ms. Yaldo was later recruited into a prestigious scientific recruiting firm, where she wrote, edited, and critiqued thousands of resumes, provided career coaching, and interviewed top candidates from around the nation. Her combined talents at recruiting, resume writing, career coaching, life coaching, and interviewing skills were directly responsible for placing people in positions that ranged from $30,000 to $150,000. Ms. Yaldo is one of only a handful of people in the United States that can write scientific and federal resumes, and she has a strong track record in career coaching.

---

Benefits of Maintaining a Career Portfolio

Have you ever tried to contact a past employer only... Read More

Rethink Your Career Transition

Are you going nowhere in your career? If you've decided... Read More

Settling Successfully Into Your New Job

The euphoria of getting a new job can sometimes be... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Try, Try, Again

This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores... Read More

A Bit of Pollyanna

"Stop being such a Pollyanna," a trusted, more experienced colleague... Read More

Planning Your Successful Career: 15 Ideas

"Doing a good job is one of the most important... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: What They All Tend To Miss

Sample resume objectives. When a harried and possibly panicked job... Read More

When The Going Gets Tough -- The Tough Keep Going

If you've been in a job search for more than... Read More

Are You Tired of Hiring Other Peoples Rejects? - 12 Mistakes Recruiters Make and How To Avoid Them

When John applied for a job at Oakland Company, his... Read More

How to Insure Job Security

The attorneys I coach have one common problem. They don't... Read More

Little Mistakes That Keep You Unemployed

If your job search is dragging on and on, you... Read More

Write Resume Keywords That Gets Your Application Read

As children we often used to read stories where magical... Read More

Offer Letter Limbo

Recently we concluded the placement of a Senior Sales Representative... Read More

How to Write a Better CV (UK), or Resume (USA and elsewhere)

The first point to make is that the terms "CV"... Read More

Rev-Up Your Network!

Whether you are looking for a job, new clients or... Read More

Your Cover Letter MUST Ask This Question

Imagine receiving a letter from a salesman who wants to... Read More

How To Deal With A Difficult Boss

Most people at some point in their lives have to... Read More

Medical Billing And Coding Profession

Medical billers and coders are in high demand among the... Read More

Avoid Potential Job Interview Disasters

There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More

3 Cover Letter Secrets Revealed

Writing a cover letter can be like cleaning your garage... Read More

The Perils Of Employment: Are You About To Be Let Go?

From the moment you are born and you take your... Read More

Resume Writing - Importance of a Professional Summary

The Summary is the preview of your entire resume. This... Read More

Showing Appreciation to Workplace Un-Sung Heroes

Millions of Un-Sung Heroes are born every minute! They are... Read More

21st Century Career Success

When it comes to modern career development, one thing we... Read More

Successful Job Interview Tips

Congratulations! You've finally landed that job interview you've been waiting... Read More

My Career is in the Doldrums - Do I Need a Coach or a Therapist?

Is Monday the worst day of your week? Can you... Read More

How to Write a Resume That Stands Out From The Crowd

Today's job market is competitive. Many companies receive hundreds of... Read More

Get Your Dream Job!

Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a... Read More

Avoid a Three-ring Circus with These New Interviewing Strategies

I referenced the circus because I just finished another interviewing... Read More

Certification for Freelancers and Home-Based Business Owners

When we think of technical certification, most of us think... Read More

10 Steps to Escape the Job World and Create the Life You Really Want

1. GET THE POINT ? OF LIFE, THAT IS.... Read More

Career Change - Is Your Career A Good Fit Or Is It Causing Pain?

Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking... Read More

How to Crash - Proof Your Job Search

Think you have the speed, endurance, and know-how to fix... Read More