Are you a scientist looking to move out of academia and into industry but don’t know how to get your foot in the door? Have you considered kick-starting your career in industry with an industrial postdoctoral appointment? Many scientists never consider this option because they don’t even know that this possibility exists. More and more companies are offering formal postdoctoral positions within their organizations. These positions are of variable length (usually one to two years), generally pay substantially more money than an academic postdoctoral stipend, and offer a way for you to experience the culture of research and development in the private sector.
Salary isn’t the only benefit of being an industry postdoc. The opportunity to interact with colleagues with a wide range of expertise, including the business side of a company, is something you won’t get in academia. Also, industry postdocs often have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. One of the main advantages though is that these appointments can lead to a permanent position within the company. Even if that is not the case, you have overcome the biggest hurdle – getting experience in industry R&D.
Sound great? Now you just have to find the opportunities. Many of the large pharmaceutical companies (Eli Lilly, Merck, etc.) and large to mid-sized biotech or pharma companies (e.g. Genentech, Biogen, Vertex Pharmaceuticals) offer postdoctoral positions. Such companies have a formal program and application process. Try searching their websites or setting up search alerts for “postdoctoral scientist” on Indeed.com or through Google alerts. Sometimes industry postdoctoral opportunities can only be gained through networking. A company may not have a formal postdoctoral position but might be willing to create a similar position for the right scientist. Also, be on the lookout for internships if you are a Bachelor or Master degree student or unsure you want to commit to the length of a postdoctoral appointment.
A postdoctoral appointment in a company is invaluable to someone who wants an industrial career path. If this someone is you, you’ll need to make sure that your resume is ready for applications and networking events. The key word here is RESUME. You’ll need a resume not an academic C.V. or resume-adapted version of a C.V.
How do you convert your experience into a result-oriented, industry-friendly resume? How do you translate your academic work into results that are relevant to a company’s hiring manager? You may have tried this before and felt that online resume formats didn’t work for scientific research experience. This process can be frustrating and may leave you with a hybrid C.V.-resume that does not put your best foot forward.
Don’t despair! www.ScientificResumes.com was built by scientists for scientists specifically to help you get into industry. Here you’ll get the instruction, the tools, the samples, and the help you need to convert your C.V. into an industry-relevant resume that will stand out to a hiring manager. You can even have your resume proofread by industry professionals so you can be as confident as possible when submitting or sharing your resume.
Let ScientificResumes.com help you create a powerful, result-focused, industry-friendly resume that distinguishes you from the slew of more academically-oriented applicants.
