Are you planning to break into the biotech industry? There are plenty of opportunities in the biotechnology sector, but that doesn’t mean the competition is any less fierce. If you are interested in getting into or furthering your career in this field, you need to be able to compete with the many other qualified individuals who share your goals and job skills.
A well-written biotechnology resume is crucial to impress hiring managers and obtain your ideal job. However, writing an impressive biotechnology resume can be difficult if you are just getting started in the field or unsure what recruiters want to see.
This post will give you useful advice, ideas, and examples for writing a standout biotech resume that will get you noticed by hiring managers.
6 Steps to Writing a Biotechnology Resumé
Most firms spend just a few seconds evaluating each CV and application they receive. So, it would be best to organize it in a way that catches the recruiter’s interest. We have broken down the Biotech resume writing process into seven manageable parts.
1. List Your Educational Background
Outside of the biotechnology industry, most positions prefer that you put your school details last on your resume unless you are recently graduated. But in biotechnology and similar fields, education and training are essential for success and are seen as very important by hiring managers.
Highlight any educational qualifications you have earned that directly apply to your desired job. If you have more than one degree, start with the most recent and go backward. When describing your academic background, be sure to include your degree, your area of study, and your alma mater.
2. Promote Your Job Skills
Many professional resume writers in the biotechnology industry agree that this section is essential. It enumerates all the qualifications you’re willing to provide for the organization if hired. Employers in the biotechnology industry are on the lookout for candidates with specialized knowledge and expertise. Researching the company’s skill demand is an excellent way to identify the talents you need.
MassBioEd found that businesses in the life sciences are becoming more concerned with finding employees with both technical expertise and the business skills to drive successful product launches, alliance building, and management. This means that soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork remain crucial for anybody hoping to excel in the biotechnology industry.
3. Include Your Experiences
Use action verbs to explain your accomplishments and highlight their impact on the firm in the experience section of your resume. Include quantitative information whenever possible, such as how much money you saved the company or how many people you were responsible for managing.
Having practical experience is a major asset in the biotechnology field. Be careful to include any relevant work experience you have, such as research, teaching, mentoring, leadership, and community/industry service.
Your background is as unique as you are, so try out a few formats to see which one best presents your skills and experience.
4. Talk about Technology
Describe the applications and programs you have used in the past. Including your proficiency in software that the company often uses will only help your application stand out from the crowd of applicants.
5. List Your Publications
Don’t forget to include any books or articles you’ve written. When listing your publications in your CV, use the correct structure. The writers should be listed in order of prominence, with the principal author’s name appearing first.
Article titles should be followed by the journal’s name, the publication year, and the page number. In the list of authors, you should use boldface for your name and italics for the journal’s title.
6. Proofread and Review
Although English may not be your first language, you should still take the time to check your work for errors in spelling and grammar. This may seem like a no-brainer but resumes with misspelled words, grammatical problems, and tense inconsistencies almost always end up in the trash.
Carelessness like this reflects poorly on your attention to detail, an essential trait for those working in biotechnology. Get a second opinion from someone you trust before sending something you’re unsure about.
6 Biotechnology Resume Tips
Here are some tips to help you write a better CV.
1. Make Your Biotechnology Resume Unique
After drafting a strong document, you should modify your resume to meet the precise specifications of each job ad you apply to. This involves reading the job description and learning about the organization to understand the traits, talents and job skills they value most.
The next step is to tailor your CV to the specific position you’re applying for, highlighting your relevant expertise and accomplishments and the value you can provide to the firm.
2. List Your Major Projects
You can highlight a few key initiatives and achievements depending on your position. To distinguish yourself from other applicants with comparable expertise, highlight any innovations you’ve created or ways in which you’ve optimized operations.
3. Add Relevant Keywords
Include relevant keywords from the job description in your biotechnology resume to help it pass the initial automated screening. To boost your chances of having your resume noticed by a hiring manager, choose keywords often used by applicant tracking systems.
Here are a few job skills keywords you can use in your biotechnology resume:
• GMPs
• GLPs
• DNA / RNA
• PCR / RT-PCR
• Instrument Operation & Maintenance
• Assay Characterization
• Extraction
• ELISA
• SOPs
• Laboratory Management
• Cell Lines
4. Create an Engaging Concluding Statement
If you want to catch the attention of hiring managers, provide a summary description of your credentials at the beginning of your resume. This brief explanation encourages readers to keep on reading and learn more about the candidate.
5. Spell Out Acronyms At least Once
It’s important to remember that not all recruiters or hiring managers will be acquainted with the many acronyms used in the biotechnology business. If you want your resume to be readable by humans and computers, it’s best to define any abbreviations or acronyms at least once.
6. Use Concrete Examples and Personal Experiences
As a scientist, you understand the significance of having access to reliable data and empirical evidence. Include them on your resume to support claims you make about your job skills and experience.
Biotechnology Resume Example
This sample can give you an idea of what a biotechnology resume could look like:
Samantha Lee
7424 Oak Lane
Seattle, WA 98101
slee@email.com
Expert in genetic engineering, medication development, and research with over 15 years of expertise in biotechnology. Skilled at leading teams, managing projects, and developing technical documentation. I have a proven track record of leading and coordinating innovative research initiatives involving many departments.
Skills
• Instrument Operation & Maintenance
• Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Team Leadership
• Data Analysis
• Technical Writing
• Research
Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology, Stanford University, 2006
• Master of Science in Genetic Engineering, University of California, San Francisco, 2002
• Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1999
Experience
Company A, San Francisco, California (2018-2022)
Senior Research Scientist
• supervised a research group tasked with discovering diagnostic indicators of neurodegenerative disorders.
• Developed and carried out research methodologies to assess biomarker efficacy.
• Took part in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and coordinated efforts across interdisciplinary groups.
• Managed projects from start to finish, ensuring they were done well and on schedule.
• Collaborated on several articles that were published in prestigious journals.
Company B, San Diego, California (2012-2018)
Director of Research and Development
• Invented and successfully marketed a new medicine to treat breast cancer.
• Designed, implemented, and monitored project schedules, costs, and resources.
• Managed a research group of 15, coordinated with other parties, and oversaw clinical studies.
• Supervised all phases of development, from preliminary studies through market introduction.
• Presented study results and development strategies to management and board members.
Company C, Mountain View, California (2006-2012)
Research Scientist
• Studied the potential of vectors for gene therapy as a means of addressing hereditary diseases.
• Conceived and carried out research to determine the viability of gene therapy.
• Assisted in moving product development forward with regulatory clearance by working with interdisciplinary teams.
• Contributed to a number of articles published in scholarly magazines.
Technology
• CRISPR/Cas9
• Next-generation sequencing
• Flow cytometry
• ELISA
• PCR
Publications
• Patel M, Wang Y, Lee S, et al. Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening identifies regulators of oncogenic KRAS signalling. Nature Communications. 2021;12(1):1-12.
• Gupta N, Lee S, Smith C, et al. Phase 1 study of a novel drug for the treatment of breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2018;36(15_suppl):10660-10660.
• Lee S, Patel M, Jones K, et al. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated correction of inherited retinal disease in a preclinical model. Nature Communications. 2018;9(1):1-11.
Conclusion
Writing a successful resume can be difficult, but it can be made much easier with the help of expert tips and resources. You may develop a winning CV by following the advice in this guide and using the template and example provided to showcase your job skills, experience, and achievements.
Make sure to highlight your relevant experience and job skills in your resume and that they are relevant to the position you are applying for. A well-written resume will help you get the interview for your desired job. Have fun!
Take the Next Step in Your Biotech Career
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With their expertise and industry connections, Simply Biotech can help you navigate the job search process and land your next exciting opportunity. Visit our website today to learn more.
This post is made available for informational purposes only to provide a general understanding of the topics discussed herein. It is not intended to provide specific business, legal, or professional advice and should not be relied on as such. Simply Biotech is not liable or responsible for any damage or loss arising from any reliance placed on such materials.
