About CV and interview related skills

1. Richard M Cook
December 9, 2014
Six Characters in Search of an
Interview
A CV for Life Science

2. Why Do I Need a CV?

3. The Importance of First Impressions
A CV for Academia is not the same as a CV for Industry
Companies expect more than Scientific Excellence
What are Transferable Skills and do you have them?
What kind of Background Research have you done?
The all-important Cover Letter

4. Your CV should be Concise, Focused
and Free from Errors

5. Include the Basics
• Contact details
• Career objective statement (optional)
• If included, should be short and precise
–  To obtain a full-time position in a global pharma company
that utilises my expertise in mass spectrometry
–  To contribute to the alleviation of global suffering
• Education and Academic Qualifications
• Professional Experience (including teaching experience)
• Publications & Presentations
• Interests

6. Do’s and Don’ts
Do
– Use the CV as an opportunity to describe
yourself and to distinguish yourself from others
– Record things in reverse chronological order
– Use active phrases – lots of ’I’ (not usual in
science)
– Modify your CV to reflect the job you are
applying for
– Make sure your CV is easy to follow and ’tells a
story’

7. Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t
– Use jargon, formulaic statements and obscure
abbreviations
– Mislead
– Have gaps in your history
– Use someone else’s CV (or cover letter) as a
template
– Worry if you think your CV looks too thin

8. Know the Difference between a CV for
Industry and a CV for Academia

9. CV’s for Industry
General Rules
• CV should be short, sharp and to the point
• Emphasis on how your knowledge & achievements
can be applied
• Focus on skills necessary for the job you are
applying for
• Companies often prefer Generalists to Specialists
• Focus on non-scientific accomplishments
• Emphasise transferable skills

10. Understand What Companies Expect
and Why

11. What do Companies Expect of New Applicants?
 Very good degree and a PhD (or about to be awarded a PhD)
 Track record of peer reviewed publications. A record of presenting
at scientific meetings is expected
 Candidates must be highly proficient in verbal and written English
with outstanding communication skills
 A basic understanding of drug discovery and development
 Track record of pro-activity and creativity which has made an
impact on the work of others
 Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
environment and mentor less experienced colleagues
 Scientifically curious with a demonstrated ability to propose and
explore new technologies

12. Ask yourself
–Why should someone spend 2 years investing
in me before any return on that investment?

13. Emphasise Transferable Skills

14. • Teamwork
• Decision-making
• Communication
• Working to deadlines
• Leadership
• Managing others
• Resolving conflicts
• Budgetary responsibilities
• Problem solving
• Clear thinking
• Evidence of creativity,
• Data management and interpretation
Transferable
Skills
• Relevant to the job you are applying for
• As applied as possible
Scientific
Skills
Employers are often more interested in your ability to anticipate
and solve problems than in your specialist knowledge

15. Do Your Homework and Improve your
Chances

16. • Send your CV to companies and ask to
be put on their records
• Talk with company scientists at
national/international meetings
• Utilise experience already gained and
seek new experience
• Work with mentors from industry or
academic mentors with industrial
experience
What
To Do
• The drug discovery and development
process and where you fit into this
• The company you want to work for –
past, present and future
• Differences in motivation between
scientists in Industry versus Academia
• Why broad-based skills are often
preferred to specialist skills
What
To
Know

17. How Important is the Cover Letter?

18. • Always include a cover letter along with your
CV when applying for a specific job
• This should be as personalised as your CV
An application for a job to construct
siege engines for Ludovico il Moro,
Duke of Milan, 1482

19. Is your Cover
Letter as
personalised as
your CV?
Have you done
your Homework?
What Transferable
Skills can you
demonstrate?
Do you know what
Companies expect
of you?
How and why do
CV’s for Industry
and Academia
differ?
What 1st
impressions does
your CV give?

20. End