My Top 5 Job Application Tips – Lee Murphy
When applying for jobs the hardest part is getting past the first hurdle and getting selected for an interview. The following tips are focused particularly on technician roles and are taken from my experience of reading and selecting applications as well as talking to various student groups, especially at the Napier University career fair which is held each year.
They are very much my personal thoughts on what I am looking for. It would be great to hear from other technical managers on what they look for in the comments section below.
So here we go, my top 5 tips…
1) Do your research and make your application stand out: Too many applications are bland and have not been personalised for the advertised job. Take some time to look at what the work is and make it obvious in your application that you have looked. Take a look at any team web pages, publications, twitter, and extra bonus points for reading the team blog. Doing your homework will make your application stand out. Try and get across your enthusiasm for the role you are applying for. And remember, the application will also be used during the interview stage.
2) Always send a covering letter and CV: This one might be specific to University of Edinburgh, but the on-line application form is pretty useless and the formatting terrible when we print it out. So always upload your CV and covering letter with the application that way you have complete control over the formatting and it will be more pleasant to read. You will also have more flexibility in the information you include (see point 1). Importantly, check there are no gaps in your time line.
3) Not enough experience? This is particularly relevant to new graduates. Reading the job description and the grade of the job should give you an indication if the job is expecting lots of previous of experience. Be realistic – nobody wants to waste time applying for roles they have no chance of getting. But also be confident – nobody is going to match all the job criteria. It is a balancing act, but if in doubt go for it.
Try to think about your experience, particularly any work experience, in relation to the job role. I find people underestimate the experience they have. For example, my lab uses barcodes to track samples through our workflows (you will know that of course from point 1). If you have worked in a shop then you have probably used barcodes, then say that, it shows you have some experience and more importantly you have made the connection to the job. Worked in a restaurant? Then you probably have experience of stock rotation. Worked in a factory? You probably have experience of some aspects of Health and Safety. When I worked at McDonald’s as a student I passed the freezer assessment – now I look after 20 freezers ?
If you are a recent graduate then any work experience is useful. It can prove your work ethic, shows that you can work in a team and even basic things like arriving on time. Working while doing a degree is hard and requires dedication and organisation, which are things that impress me.
Finally, don’t try to over sell the experience from your degree course. A few lab practicals on DNA does not make you an expert. Instead perhaps concentrate how the course enthused you to work in the area of genomics.
4) Too much experience? Most of the roles I advertise require a degree but we do get many applications from people with PhDs. That’s fine, being a technician is a great job, but you probably do need some explanation of why you are changing role. Are you really looking to become a technician or are you looking for a short-term post while looking for something else? If you are looking for a short-term post that is fine if the advertised post is also short term. And remember, just because you have a PhD does not automatically make you the most suitable person for a technician role, you still need to explain your experiences and why you are suited to the role.
5) Don’t give up: I know that this is easier said than done. The last job we advertised had 140 applicants, this was extreme but I would generally expect 60-80 applicants for a junior role. Not getting an interview shouldn’t be taken as a sign of failure or that you are not suitable for a career in science, but if you are failing to get interviews over a period of time then you should re-assess your application and CV. Are you adapting each application to the role advertised? Will your application stand out?
To make your application stand out, how about helping at the Science Festival? Or help at a local school science club? Scientific conferences often like students to help at the meeting, this is a good way to network and add something extra to your CV. It also means free attendance to the meeting. Can you find a paid lab placement in a subject area you are interested in, especially over summer? You may have to email labs to find these opportunities – and do make sure you are getting paid. Particularly as you progress through your degree, consider what extra activities will help your CV.
Now dust down your CV and get applying – good luck.
Lee Murphy is the Genetics Manager at the Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility where he leads a team of eleven technicians. He is a keen hill runner and cyclist. Lee can be contacted on @LeeMurphyCRF.
Reposted from ECRF Genetics Core
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