Lab Support University ProgramPARTNERING FOR SUCCESS

(847)678-5171 Chicago@LabSupport.com www.onassignment.com

Today’s Goals

• Reviewing career options

• Resumes

• Interview to get a job

• Job Hunting Techniques

• Start your careers!

Reviewing Career Options

Industries Served by Lab Support

• Biotech• Pharmaceutical• Personal Care• Nutraceutical• Food and Beverage• Flavors / Fragrance• Instrument Manufacturing

• Petrochemical• Materials• Environmental• Aerospace/ Automotive• Paints/ Coatings• Chemical• Polymers

Departments in These Industries

Quality Control Quality Assurance

Research & Development Formulations

Process Design and Scale up Analytical & Method Development

Technical Support Regulatory

Typical Positions

• Lab technician– Assisting Senior Scientists– Routine lab analysis– Wet chemistry, microbiology

• Chemist– Analytical chemistry working with instrumentation– Wet chemistry

• Biologist– Microbiological or Molecular Bio techniques

…and if you don’t want a lab job?

• Technical sales and marketing

• Regulatory Affairs

• Quality Assurance

• Human Resources, Recruitment

• Teaching

• Patenting

Resumes

Your Resume

What is the purpose of a Resume?

To represent you and your skills as it applies to a particular position

Good Resume = Interview

Good Interview = Job

Bad Resume = No Interview (& no job!)

Resume examplesWhat do you think of this resume?

Lab Support A Division of On Assignment (847)678-5171 Chicago@labsupport.com EDUCATION

General Studies, Liberal Arts Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI 2005-2008 Chemistry Major, Biology Minor Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 2008-2011

WORK EXPERIENCE

Team Member, Whole Foods Market, Ann Arbor, MI 2006 - Present

Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine Provided quick, thorough, and professional assistance to customers. Prepared and served food, wrote orders and schedules. Handled numerous tasks at once, gave high attention to detail and provided

the best possible products and service to customers. Projected a positive company image, marked with politeness and professionalism.

Independent Firework Salesman, self-employed, Adrian, MI 2010

Found location, promoted, and organized business. Purchased merchandise, rented necessary materials, and set-up work space. Handled finances and customer service.

Server, Busser, Dish Washer, IHOP, Ypsilanti, MI 2007-2009

Waited tables and provided excellent customer service. Cleaned restaurant washed dishes and cleaned tables.

Cashier and Stocker, Harriet Food Market, Ypsilanti, MI 2003-2006

Managed cash register and lottery machine. Operate store independently, and helped customers. Ordered merchandise, stocked shelves, and filled coolers.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Fluent in both; Arabic (Native) and English reading and writing. Active member of Eastern Michigan University Pre-Dental Club.

Resume ExamplesWhat do you think of this resume?

Objective Recently graduated from Northern Illinois University and would like to find a career that utilizes my interest and background in science. Education Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL B.S. Biology with a chemistry minor Graduated May 2011 Kishwaukee College Malta, IL A.S. Science Graduated May 2009 Coursework

General Biology w/ lab General Chemistry w/ lab Bacterial Physiology w/ lab Organic Chemistry w/ lab Microbiology w/ lab

Genetics w/ lab Physics w/ lab Mycology w/ lab Human Physiology Pharmacology & Toxicology

Radiation Biology Molecular Biology of Cancer Biochemistry Gen. Archaeology Macroeconomics

Experience -Aseptic technique -Simple and fractional distillation -Dissection -Recrystallization -Gram Staining -Extraction (one base) -Plate Streaking -Thin layer chromatography (TLC) -Unknown Identification -Oxidation and Reduction Employment History Kishwaukee Community Hospital, DeKalb IL 60115

Pharmacy Technician, June 2007 to Present

-Aseptic technique -Fill and deliver doctor medication orders -Train new hires and volunteers -Tracking outdates -Maintain an organized workspace -Complete inventory Pharmacy Technician License no. 049.177333 Exp. 3/ 31/ 2012 Pharmacy Technician Certification no. 450101080957688

Vector Marketing, Rockford IL 61108 Assistant Manager, July 2005 to Dec. 2006 -Organized and ran team meetings -Personally responsible for over $10,000 in Cutco product sales Panera Bread, DeKalb IL 60115

Associate Trainer, Dec. 2002 to Dec. 2007 -Trained new employees -Customer satisfaction -Maintain a clean and sanitary workspace -Deliver service with a smile

Rules for a successful resume

• Be Brief– One page is sufficient for entry level – Ok to have a 2 page resume if have co-ops or other

experience• Apply standard structure

– Use chronological format (most recent first)– Use bullet points and phrases

• Appearance counts!– Check for spelling and grammar errors

Resume TailoringHeader

• Name• Phone number(s) with VM • Address• Email(s) that will allow Spam Filters

Objective• Clear concise statement expressing your intended career path. • Make it general - should help and not hurt you when looking for

jobs

Education • Include degree, major and school• Graduation (or anticipated) date with Month/Year• GPA (if over 3.0) and honors such as Dean’s List• Include Coursework if still in school or new grad

Resume TailoringWork History (No gaps)

• Any experience is good experience• Include research, work study, work for professor, etc…when

possible• Begin with most recent job (research) including Title, company,

location and dates of employment (Month/ Year)

Skills • Scientific (Aseptic Technique, GC, Wet Chemistry, etc)• SciFinder, LabView, MatLab, Solidworks, ProE, anything relating

to degree• MS Office, Computer Languages (C++, HTML, Etc…)• Foreign Languages

Certifications/Publications/Licenses• Publications• Patents/Patent Applications• ACS, GMP, HACCP, HAZWOPER, etc…

Resume Tailoring

Activities • Sports Teams (Varsity or Intramural)• Clubs• Sorority or Fraternity• Hobbies (including outside of school)• Specifically Note leadership positions (board member,

president, etc...)References

• Available upon request • DO NOT have actual references on your resume

Resume Tailoring – The DO NOT Have Info

• Do NOT list any personal information: height, weight, gender, marital status, SS Number, birthday, religious activities, hobbies, interests, etc…

• Do NOT have any links or references to myspace, facebook, or other online sites you have posted personal information.

• Do NOT have unexplained gaps in work experiences. Include why you left on your resume (laid off, personal reasons, etc…)

• Do NOT write high school information• AND ABSOLUTELY DO NOT HAVE ANY FALSE

INFORMATION.

Interview to get a job

What Employers Look For:

• Clear and effective communication skills

• Ability to work effectively within a team environment

• Enthusiasm & Interest

• Adaptability

• Relevant experience

Prepare for an Interview• Research the company, interviewer, anything you can before

going to an interview via website and review job posting

• Practice answering questions like:• Why this degree (special projects, teachers, etc)• Your skills and experience• Work Attitude and Goals• KEEP YOUR ANSWERS POSITITVE AND TO THE

POINT

• Prepare thoughtful and intelligent questions for the interviewer about the company, it’s product, your role, position in the market and any positive news.

Prepare for an Interview

• Dress professionally– Business attire

• Men: Shirt, tie and dress pants• Women: Blouse and pants

• Be organized– Bring extra copies of resume and references– Carry a folder with extra paper to take notes

• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early

• Note: Evaluation starts at reception!

When InterviewingWatch Body Language

– Use a firm handshake, direct eye contact and a smile– Crossing your arms, nodding hurriedly or inappropriately,

NOT maintaining eye contact, or making tense facial expressions can all send the wrong message.

Remain Positive– No matter how well you prepare for an interview, things may

not always go as smoothly as you had hoped. Whatever happens, roll with the punches.

– Keep a positive attitude and remain confident in your ability to land the job is one sure way to impress any hiring manager.

– Do not speak negatively about past employers, experiences, or others

When Interviewing

Be a STAR

Employers want to know about YOU and your experiences.NOT yes and no answers.

When answering behavioral-based questions, use the STARformat (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

You need an Introduction (Situation or Task), the Body (Actions)and a Conclusion (Result). Have examples ready.

Do Not’s of Interviewing

• Do NOT share information about your personal life. Keep all questions and answers work related.

• Do NOT discuss (or ask about) salary or benefits unless the interviewer specifically requests/provides information.

• Do NOT answer with an opinion, a theory or a vague response.

• Do NOT feel that you have to talk continually.

DO NOT’s of Interviewing

• No strong scents (good or bad)

• No cell phones

• No chewing gum or candy

• No rolling around or swiveling in your chair – it is distracting

• No clicking of a pen

In Closing• ASK for the job!

– Employers want to see enthusiasm– Tell them why you would make a good fit and WHY you are

so excited about the position.

• Ask about Next Steps/Follow Up – Get dates of next possible interview, when can you expect a

response

• Send a Thank You – Preferably, a hand written card to all involved in the interview

and make sure to again state your enthusiasm about the position (Watch your spelling and grammar!)

– Email is acceptable

Job Hunting Techniques

Traditional Job Hunting Techniques:

Networking (professional meetings, friends)• Professors/ University Career Services• Professional Associations

Advertisements• Scientific Journals• Newspapers (local and national)

Internet (Monster/Careerbuilder…others)

Creative Job Hunting

Professional Trade Shows• Obtain good company and market information• Meet potential hiring managers

Specialist Recruitment Agencies (ie Lab Support) • Tap into the hidden job market• The benefits of Contract, and Contract-to-Hire• Permanent Job Opportunities

What can we do for you??

• Reduce stress

• Increase marketability to employers

• Receive one-on-one assistance with effective resume writing and interviewing techniques

• Learn what employers are currently looking for from graduates

• Prepare for the challenges involved in landing your first job

• Learn about the many career options available to you

Get ready to Start your careers!!

Any Questions?

Catherine McCarthy

• Sr. Branch Leader and Recruiter• Started with Lab Support in Jan. 2001• BS Chemistry from the University of Illinois at

Champaign Urbana• Experience working in environmental and

pharmaceutical labs

Purnima Sethi

• Sr. Recruiter• BS Biochemistry from University of Illinois at

Champaign Urbana• Started with Lab Support in July 2002• Experience working in R&D and QC in

Pharmaceutical companies such as Abbott and Baxter

Sarah Doran

• Account Executive• Started with Lab Support in 2007• Bachelors in Microbiology from Southern Illinois

University• Experience as a R&D Microbiologist in the food

industry