Ashton Tweed has created the first Executive Talent Bank for the Life Sciences.

Networking Tips: 4 Crucial Tips to Help Get Your Resume to the Top of the Stack

Ashton Tweed Connection recently conducted a survey of our subscribers who hire in the life sciences industry to determine how many resumes they typically receive for each job opening. On average, 58% of the respondents reported getting more than 50 resumes for each job advertised, while 21% get between 26 and 50. These results indicate just how competitive the job market is today and why making your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) the best it can be is so important. Here are four tips to help you effectively communicate your accomplishments and get your resume to the top of the stack:

1. Highlight what sets you apart from the competition. What makes you the candidate who is the perfect fit for the job? That’s what you need to cover in your “Summary of Qualifications” section. And this should be located in the visual center of your resume – starting at about 2.5 inches from the top of the page, and running about 2 inches in length. In this section, use a few sentences to summarize your specific qualifications for employers and recruiters, while providing detailed descriptions of your job skills in the resume below.
2. Tweak each resume you send out to match specific job descriptions. As organizations set out to fill life sciences positions, they’re typically looking for the candidate who can best satisfy several specific requirements. So after reading the job description of the position you’re seeking, take a close look at your resume and determine whether it provides information that is relevant to the job requirements. Be prepared to customize parts of your resume or CV as you apply for different job opportunities, highlighting how your qualifications match employers’ needs. While customization is important, truthfulness is more important.
3. Accentuate your achievements. Rather than simply listing your job responsibilities, be specific about what you’ve accomplished in your previous positions by using numbers to quantify your achievements. Tell how many people you managed, for example, how much revenue your department generated, or the number of drugs approved under your leadership. Be as quantitative as you can regarding your accomplishments.
4. Proofread it, and proofread it again. In today’s competitive market, resumes or CVs that are poorly organized or contain spelling and grammatical mistakes will likely disqualify you as a top candidate. So always use spell-check, proofread your resume and cover letter carefully, and ask a friend or colleague to proofread them, as well.

Be sure to check out our latest career opportunities listings and – if you haven’t already – submit your resume. Our staff will review it and contact you if your resume matches any job openings. Click here for more information about our resume submission process.