5 things to consider if you are a job seeker-Everyone read #5
The life sciences job market and landscape remain turbulent despite signs of life.
Here are five things to consider if you are searching for a role at any level right now:
1)??? Give yourself some grace. There are many people who are in the same boat. Understanding that the RIF or layoff had zero to do with YOU is key. 60% of the candidates I talk to in this market are out of work, so shake it off and focus on thinking about what’s next for you and your career.
2)??? Spend as much time updating your LinkedIn profile as your resume- treat your profile like a personal website. Start by taking a professional headshot or asking someone to take a picture with a good phone camera if a headshot isn’t in the cards.
Three LinkedIn profile picture No’s:
a) Have NO picture at all
b) A picture of you taken at a wedding/event
c) You are holding your cat, Jinx. (I love cats, so don’t take offense to this.)
?
Your profile is any employer's first impression of you, so make sure it looks professional, just like the resume you submit. Read that again!
?
If you want a professional opinion from someone who has viewed hundreds of thousands of profiles, please send me a message, and I’d be happy to do a quick review with you.
?
3)??? Network, Network, Network-Get out there and talk to your network. In the last 15 months, there have been more in-person connection opportunities than two years before. Tap into your LinkedIn network, old colleagues, and anyone in your industry who can help get you visible to employers hiring someone with your skills/experience. Many don’t know how to network, and ten years ago, I was one of those people. If you don’t know how or don’t like it, I suggest two books to consider reading that may be helpful.
?
?
4)??? Keep track—Make a spreadsheet with the following columns. This way, you avoid crossing wires or double-submitting. Also, save it to reflect on your interview experience at that company. If you interviewed with the company and they ghosted you, would you want to work for that company in the future?
?
a)???? Company name
b)??? Linked to Job posting
c)???? Identified hiring authority’s name
d)??? Date of submittal and where (LinkedIn or online)
e)??? Notes and Follow-up
?
5)??? Choose the recruiters you work with wisely. We are not all the same, I promise. If this list were in order of importance, I’d have this at number one. Find someone credible with genuine relationships who is genuinely trying to help YOU! I know many and would happily make great suggestions for trusted partners, even if it isn’t me.
?
?I’ve heard from a few candidates in the last month. One had it happen twice by two different recruiters claiming they were “representing a company” and “submitting” the person’s resume to the hiring authority when they didn’t even have a contract signed or a relationship with HR, the hiring manager, or the company.
?
?I can’t tell you how unethical this is on every level. If you are a recruiter reading this and partake in these tactics, please STOP immediately. You are dishonest, misleading, and giving the ones who care a bad name. You are also not thinking about the person you lied to and how that can affect them, their family, and what they are trying to accomplish: to find a new job and not waste their time with someone who could care less about them.
?
There is a real and honest way I help candidates leverage my network to find opportunities and put them in touch with great companies hiring. This approach was water downed somewhere along the way and turned into what I described above.
?
This reach-out is called skilled marketing or MPC (Most placeable candidate) strategy. This is when a trusted and skilled recruiter brings a top performer to their client base or trusted network to make the company aware of an exceptional candidate. It is not a way to get your foot in the door. I have many in my network who won’t use any other recruiter but me. When they are considering a new role, I am the first call, and when applying, they also use me. It is not because I am special or have a god given talents. They trust me and know I will help connect them to the companies hiring the fastest.
?
If you are a hiring leader and want to learn about some of these off-grid candidates I am referring to, please say hello. If you are hesitating because you don't have the budget to pay a recruiter fee or you were told not to engage with agencies at this time, still say hello. I would offer these people to you for NO FEE. I have never let money be the barrier for good candidates to be in touch with good companies/opportunities, and I won’t start now.
?
领英推荐
To close the loop on choosing your recruiting partners wisely, here is how I suggest vetting a recruiter initially:
?
a)???? Are they specialists or generalists? There are two schools of thought here, but if you are a Machine Learning Scientist, find someone with a track record of making placements in this area and industry. I suggest people with niche recruiting experience, a deep network, and a strong understanding of the industry.
?
b)??? If a recruiter reaches out that you don’t know, ask others who are mutually connected and whom you trust if they do. Everyone knows everyone in this ecosystem—refer back to networking.
?
c)???? If a recruiter reaches out with a role that fits your background and requests to meet, and you are out of a job, then most will be inclined to say yes right away. I suggest sending the following note back to them before you schedule to see if the role they are recruiting for is real and not just a way for them to fill their database or hit their daily call metrics.
?
Dear Recruiter,
?
Thank you for your interest in my profile. I’m flattered by the reach-out. Before we schedule, I’d like to ask a few questions to ensure we make the best use of everyone’s time. I’ve been actively applying for _______ days/weeks/months and have applied to _______ positions.
?
So I can be sure we don’t cross any wires, would you please share the company you are working with so I can be sure I haven’t already submitted a resume there? Also, do you have a signed contract with the company?
?
If you receive any of the following replies or variations, consider what I’ve shared before you agree to meet. If you don’t hear anything back, you already have your answer.
?
“I’m unable to share the company name until I have your resume or until we speak.”
?
“This is a confidential search, and I’m unable to share the company name at this time.”(unless it is a retained search at the executive level, 95% of the time, it is just a way to get you on the phone.)
?
“I’d be happy to share more information on a call so we asses if you are the right match for my client” (I am partially ok with this reply, but again consider the person and if others are trusting them in your network)
?
Here is what my reply would sound like:
?
Dear Candidate,
?
Thanks so much for the note, and I’m sorry to hear about the job troubles. Here is what I’d like to do. First, I aim to be helpful, so even if this role isn’t a match, I want to be your resource in your job transition. Secondly, have you applied to XYZ Therapeutics company so we can shape the conversation and make the best use of time? (Share link and job description)
?
?Even if you have already, I see a mutual benefit in connecting to network if time permits.
?
For convenience, I am including times I am free for a call to say hello.
?
My best,
Bryan
?
d)??? When all else fails, go with your gut. If something smells off, it often is. If a recruiter has burned you, I am sorry, but please don’t let some bad trees ruin the forest. Building these relationships can be a cornerstone in your career, so don’t miss out on the good ones. We are here to help!
?
?
?
?