5 things life science startups are looking for on your CV

In previous episodes, I’ve explored life science startups and the many ways they are informing and transforming the pharmaceutical industry mindset and business. As we’ve seen, big pharma is increasingly backing innovative biotech startups, from buying into cutting edge gene technologies to investing in personalised medicine.

This has an obvious impact on careers in the industry. In this episode, I look at some of the ways in which prospective candidates interested in working for a startup can craft a CV that will set them apart from their competition.

What life science startup entrepreneurs want

Startup companies, whether seeded by venture capital, government grants, private capital or equity crowdfunding, take passion, courage, creativity and commitment to get off the ground. Startup entrepreneurs, as you might expect, are highly energised and highly selective in choosing candidates – especially when needing to justify such important decisions to funders and private equity providers.

Here are some of the points we’ve noticed that attract the right kind of attention and should ideally feature on your startup CV.

1. Excellent STEM education and credentials

Startup entrepreneurs are typically set the task of finding highly qualified STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) candidates to complement their existing hires and enable them to fulfil their scientific and business objectives. Not only will they look at your qualification, but they’ll also be interested in which institution you gained it from. Depending on the exact role on offer, MDs and PhDs are prized qualifications. But don’t despair if you don’t have these. Someone who has risen well through the ranks of an organisation is unlikely to be penalised for not having the perfect qualification and not attending a top ranked university.

2. A background in recognised big pharma or biotech companies

A candidate who was hired by a big name pharmaceutical company like Pfizer or a biotech company like Amgen is at a distinct advantage over an individual without such experience. It is especially beneficial if you’re currently employed by one of these companies. This is provided you haven’t spent an entire lifetime working for the same firm, which may be suggestive of a less-than-optimal appetite for risk.

While recognised company names in your work history count for a lot, it’s not necessarily the be all and end all if you score highly on other points. But obviously, if you can list a big name, do it!

3. Evidence of risk appetite

Working for a startup takes a different kind of mentality. With no big corporate umbrella sheltering you from above, it can be daunting for the risk averse, a factor which is high in the minds of hiring startup entrepreneurs.

Previous employers paint a picture of who you are. For example, did you leave an academic career or a career in the public health system to go into industry? Did you start out in big pharma then migrate over to biotech? These are positive signs of your potential to successfully make the startup leap.

Obviously, you can’t fabricate a work history, but you can include duties or situations that demonstrate your aptitude for challenging the old and championing the new.

4. Good data management skills

Biology is fundamentally a data science. The work of life science startups inevitably involves producing and working with large amounts of data. While universities are now beginning to respond to the need to produce tech-savvy graduates, life science startup recruiters are still most often faced with CVs weighted heavily towards the biological sciences.

Any evidence of working with data, whether software experience or projects requiring data analysis, will get you noticed. And if not, evidence of an aptitude for learning may go part of the way.

5. Excellent communication skills

As smaller companies, life science startups often require their people to engage in contact across both the business and scientific communities. Communication skills are obviously key. The way you write your CV will say a lot about them.

Avoiding technical jargon without dumbing down your content, keeping your work history succinct and relevant, and ensuring no spelling or grammatical errors – these are signposts of a good communicator. It may even be helpful to have a non-scientist check over the final draft to guarantee its readability.

If you enjoyed this blog then you might also appreciate some of the following:

• Life sciences recruitment: where are we headed?
• Trends that will change life science hires in 2016
• Q&A with Neil Campbell, President and CEO at Helmonics
• Start me up: embracing the age of life science startups
• Big Data, big impact on life science skills demand

Author

Paul Strouts

Global Managing Director, Hays Life Sciences

Linkedin

Paul Strouts is the Global Managing Director for Hays Life Sciences, looking after 27 countries within the group’s portfolio, spanning from New York in the US to Sydney in Australia. From his base in our flagship London office, Paul oversees all operations and sales for the brand, and drives the business forward on a strategic level.

He joined Hays in 2007 following the acquisition of his Life Sciences business (James Harvard International) and has been involved in the sector since 2001, after becoming interested in Life Sciences whilst living near Harvard in Boston, MA. Paul is a graduate of the London Metropolitan University, and resides in the Home Counties, UK.