As a recruitment company we receive a huge amount of traffic and applications from graduates. We give each one a non-automated response, and return all emails requesting advice / tips, but it would be nicer to equip each one with a bit more information about how to approach the job seeking process. So here goes:

DO

Build a great CV. I remember my own CV as a grad – it was pretty horrendous. Here are some tips on writing a good CV:

-Leave out primary and secondary schooling info (save your Leaving Cert results possible – these are really optional).

-University info: as this is your main scientific selling point, you need to elaborate of the key courses and your research project. Convey interest and passion for what you studied, this need to come across in the well-presented CV.

-Put effort into your CV in terms of formatting. The monotone, poorly constructed CV will be overlooked in favour of a similar CV which has been created, structured and is easy to read. Some sample scientific CV templates can be found on our site here.

Network. Yes it’s an over-used cliched term but the value in a market like this is paramount. Find contacts, speak to people in industry. Most people will be more than happy to tell you about their role, and many will know someone who knows someone who might be recruiting. ~70% of all jobs are filled without being advertised! Included in this is http://lifescience.ie/. Although not many are advetising roles for companies in this market, recruiters can be an invaluable resource for inside industry information.

Search cleverly. Use Web 2.0 technologies. Add Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter (to a lesser extent) to your job searching tool. RSS feeds are key – set up a number of these so that the most relevant roles to you are flagged in real-time.

DON’T

Have your CV more than 2 pages long

References are optional

Ramble on about previous summer jobs. If they are relevant give them the requisite space, but for non relevant role, a line will suffice.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GET YOUR MOTHER TO CALL ON YOUR BEHALF (yes it does happen)!!!!!!!!! No explanation needed I hope!

Get in touch with any comment, or feel free to add additional points underneath.

Brian (brian dot c at lifescience dot ie)