The Scientific Method and the job search
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| Title: | The Scientific Method and the job search | |
| Author: | Marielena Mata | |
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If I could get a penny for every time I am asked how to get a job in industry, I would not need a job in industry. It seems that industry is this black box of uncertainty when it comes to getting a job, but I would argue that you can apply your own scientific training to your job search. As we learned early in our education, the scientific method consists of: Question, observation, hypothesis, experimentation, data analysis and conclusion, report. Here is how we apply it to a job search.
You are ready to get a job industry but you need to first ask yourself some questions:
After asking yourself these and other defining questions, do some research. Search the web for companies in your area, search for companies in your area of interest. You have heard it before and you will hear it again: Network, network, network. Reach out to your friends in industry, or in other labs with friends in industry, or your cousin twice removed who once had a job in industry. Ask about their particular industry, what they like and what they do not like. While it may not sound very scientific, do some soul searching. These internal looks are perhaps the most important observations that you can make during your job search.
Try to answer as many of those questions and formulate a hypothesis. A hypothesis can be as broad or as narrow as you want it to be. In my case, due to work/life balance concerns, I wanted a job in the Philadelphia area, in a mid- to large-size company that did Immunology research, and I wanted to expand into clinical research. Somebody else’s hypothesis might be to go to a small biotech that specializes in a particular technology, but they are flexible enough to move around.
It is now time to do some experimentation. For any experiment to work well, you need to prepare well. You start by gathering your materials and methods. In this case, your most critical “reagent” is your resume. Take the time to prepare your resume. Again, do a little research about how to prepare a resume, what recruiters are looking for. Make sure that you have others review it. Polish it one more time and prepare several versions depending on what types of positions you might be interested in. Once you have that most important tool, you can apply to some positions.
Again, think of an experiment, add some positive controls, some negative controls and the experimental group. Apply to some jobs that you would definitely qualify for, some jobs you would never qualify for, and the ones that look interesting. I am frequently asked if one should apply to jobs that one does not qualify for. I think that you should not apply to jobs that you do not want to get. I realize there are times in life when we feel like we have to get a job no matter what, but that does not mean that you should apply to every possible job on the list. However, if the job looks interesting, and you either have some of the qualifications or you really want it because it is an area you are interested in, why not? Go ahead and apply. Most of the learning happens on the job anyway.
We frequently hear that finding the right job is about being “at the right place, at the right time,” and indeed that may be true, but how do we translate that into a useful job searching strategy? I like to think that to be at the right place at the right time, you have to be “everywhere, every time.” Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Emily Dickinson once said: “Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door.” So go ahead and open every door and every window. By this, I mean go out there, make yourself seen, let the world know that you are looking for that next great opportunity. Apply at the different company sites, post your resume at different boards. Ask your friends to give you advice and then maybe they will ask you to forward your resume.
After applying to a few or a few hundred positions, hopefully you will get some phone interviews. When you get that first call, be honest. If your timer will be beeping in 5 minutes, let the caller know that this is not a good time and arrange for a time when you can be focused on that conversation. Another advantage of scheduling the call is that it will give you time to pull your thoughts together. That first phone call is your one chance to give a great first impression. Answers the questions honestly and be optimistic. Smile while you talk, even on the phone. Take your time to answer the questions. Remember, this is your chance to land a face-to-face interview.
Once you get that interview, prepare for the second round of experiments. Once again, prepare all your materials and methods. Put together a polished talk if requested. Don’t try to present every experiment that you have ever done, but try to tell a concise and complete story. Ask your contact who the audience will be and what they would be interested in hearing. Research the company and figure out what their biggest strength is.
The day of the interview, dress to kill. I am still a believer of the suit, but I have seen a tendency for slightly less formal attire. Either way, try to look your best. While we may hate to admit it, first impressions do count. Get there a few minutes early so that you have time to take a deep breath or two, or three. Finally, smile. With proper preparation, your experiment should give you some good results, but remember, some experiments fail for no reason. Evaluate your controls and figure out what needs to be done differently on the next round.
Finally, your experiments have worked and you get some offers. It’s time for some data analysis. Does the opportunity perfectly match your hypothesis? Accept the offer right away. If there are some minor differences, those may be negotiated, but sometimes you may need to compromise. Congratulations! You have gotten a job in industry. My work here is completed. Now it’s time for you to report in your tax forms your new and hopefully improved income. Also, we frequently we forget, it is time to report this new position in our resume. Make it a habit to keep your resume updated. You never know when that next opportunity might come so be “Everywhere, every time.”
The thing about science is that once we answer one question, a hundred other questions come up and it is no different with your career. As soon as you get that job and settle in place, you might want to start thinking about the next role. Take advantage of your opportunity and try to learn about your industry and the different opportunities available. Start asking questions, what does that role/function/position entail? Do you have the necessary training? Is there additional training that you could benefit from? Are there learning opportunities that you could get involved with?
A Ph.D. is really a degree in thinking and problem solving. Use that training for your job search and your career development and you will have a life fulfilled with learning. I think the data is strong enough to make it into a theory. |
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Marielena Mata, Ph.D., known as Maty, has been working at Centocor R&D for five years. Maty, from Caracas, Venezuela, obtained her Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Training at the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout her career, Maty has enjoyed mentoring young scientists particularly in women’s issues and work-life balance issues. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. |
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Republished with permission |
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