Reflections On my Job Search

As I reflect on my time spent searching for a job, I thought I would write about my experiences.

At some point, everyone should begin to think about a job search. When I began my search for my first clinical research job, I was not sure how to go about it. There was no ready-made guide to the process, and each person around me seemed to have a different approach. I discovered that success in a job search depends a lot on trial and error and that there is not one right way to do it. Still, once I was done with the process, I looked back and realized that certain ideas and approaches helped me more than others. Because of this, I would like to share a few tips and suggestions I have for conducting a successful clinical research job search, with the hopes that they might be valuable to others starting out on a job hunt.

• Cast A Wide Enough Net

Probably the hardest thing for me to realize in the job search was that it might take sending out hundreds of resumes before I would get even one substantial interview offer, even if you are a good candidate for all of the jobs for which you apply to. The fact is, for every clinical research job advertised, hundreds of resumes are submitted by LinkedIn, and of those, only three resumes are typically pulled from the pile and the applicants are called for an interview. I was not a math major in college, but even I know the odds aren’t particularly good for my resume to be selected for any one particular job, so it pays to apply for several jobs to increase the probability that eventually, one will pan out, or so you hope.

This is not the same as saying apply to everything and anything but do apply to enough positions to give yourself a fighting chance. I remember a friend I know who only sent out one job application at first because he was convinced that the one particular job, he was applying for was the perfect job for him. It did indeed look like it was the perfect job for him (different industry) — he met all of the qualifications listed in the job description exactly. Unfortunately, it was also the perfect job for several other equally qualified candidates, and needless to say, he did not get an interview. It was not his fault; sometimes there are indeed more than enough qualified candidates applying for the same job, and it is better to have more than one ball in the air at a time, just in case.

• Don’t Agonize Too Early in the Process

This brings me to my second bit of advice; don’t agonize over specific job ads too early in the process. Try to be open-minded. The job ad description is only the tip of the iceberg. When you are interviewing, you will have a better sense of what your job entails; what the job offers, and whether the working environment and people are a good “fit” for you, and more informative than any job ad will ever be. Look at the big picture: is the job in the area of what you want to be in? For those in clinical research, do you want to work in a CRO, Site, Pharma, or Biotech?

• Personalize Your Cover Letter

Make sure your cover letter reflects some of the main qualifications indicated in the job posting. It does not have to take a long time to customize a letter; use a form letter to start with, and then just adjust it slightly with a few added sentences or keywords pertinent to the position. Above all, though, check and re-check to make sure all names and addresses are correct, and that you’ve proofread your resume. These are basic things, but it cannot be underestimated what a bad impression it makes on a hiring manager if you even have one small spelling error or other typos in your cover letter or resume/CV.

• Stay Organized!

I repeat: stay organized. You will thank me later. I found it very helpful, once I got started in the job search to keep an electronic record of letters/applications/resumes sent out, to whom, and what action resulted. I created a folder on my computer for each application that was sent out, with a file copy of the letter and resume sent, as well as the job ad and any other relevant information. I named each folder by the clinical research company and job ad title. That way, if Talent Acquisition (TA) or a hiring manager calls me about a job, I’d be ready to go with the information about the specific position. Also, it saved me the embarrassment of ever applying for the same job twice, by accident. If you start your job search early, it pays to be organized so that you can keep all of these things going at once. Somehow, having the electronic files seemed easier to me than having paper file folders, but you should do what works best for you – YMMV

• Be Creative When Finding Sources of Job Leads

Ads can appear in some of the strangest places, and not all of them are so obvious. Today, the vast majority of online job searches begin with my new best friend. Drum roll please 🥁 … GOOGLE. People rely on the search engine to give them the results. The Internet is an essential employment resource for many of today’s job seekers, according to a new survey by Pew Research Center.

Job opening information can also come via word of mouth. Yes, you know what I am going to say next don't you? Yep, #NETWORKING! It is the dreaded word I hear in my sleep. Talk to everyone and let everyone know you are looking. Yes, I am talking about growing your network. These are the times when you need to get out of your comfort zone and start finding professional events in your industry that interest you. You never know where you might find your next manager.

• Qualifications Vs Preferred

There usually is a distinction between what are “required qualifications” and what are only “preferred (i.e., desired but not essential) qualifications” on any job ad; don’t confuse the two. Generally, you must have the “required” qualifications, but you do not necessarily have to have any or all of the “preferred” qualifications, at least not yet. If one of the preferred qualifications is to have experience say with the Electronic Trial Master Files (eTMFs), and you have never done that, then stress in your cover letter that you are willing to take a class or training to obtain learn that skill. If an additional subject degree is desired, write that you would be willing to pursue a subject area degree in the immediate future while on the job to fulfill this desired qualification. Future employees want to know that you are willing to grow and develop your skills, even if you do not currently have every desired qualification yet.

• Start Early

It is usually better to start your job search early. I mean E A R L Y. In all honesty, I had no idea it was going to take me this long to find a job. So, I am glad I started as soon as possible. I have found that most people start looking for people in the first quarter. With increased budgets and managers looking to recruit, WE as job seekers have a good chance of landing a new job.

At the start of each fiscal year, many companies have increased budgets that they can allocate toward hiring. This is especially true in the life sciences, where research and development projects can be expensive. As a result, there is usually a surge in job postings and recruitment activity at the beginning of the year. This is good news for job seekers, as it means that there are more opportunities available. It also means that employers are more likely to be open to negotiation on salary and other terms of employment. (Source: Biospace)

You need to go into this new year recharged and ready to go.  Are you ready? I know I am.