SHARE
Biotechnology opportunities are more abundant than Petri dishes in a lab, and there are almost as many niches to which you can devote your career. Pharmacology, infectious disease control, and prosthetics engineering are some of the specializations from which you can choose.
Your training and/or degree in biotechnology may give you entry into one of the most progressive industries today. How well you understand the role will get you the job.
With a projected global market value of nearly $750 billion by 2025, BioTech expects a 5% employment growth rate between now and 2029. This fast-paced industry will keep you on your toes, so preparing for your job interview is crucial if you want to land a seat in a biotech lab or office.
Prepare for your new BioTech role with these five BioTech interview tips:
Identify Which Companies are Hiring
Many companies advise potential candidates to send in their resumes even if a particular position hasn’t opened yet. You can do that, and the company will scan your resume and file. Maybe you’ll get a call in a few months or even next year.
However, if you’re looking for immediate employment, focus on companies that are actively hiring. General job posting sites may list BioTech jobs, but your search will be more effective if you use an industry-focused site.
Large pharmaceutical companies and scholarly journals may also announce job openings, so expand your search to include these leads.
Learn the Company Culture
Although they may compete in the same industry, every company has a unique culture. Dress code, working hours and even interactions with management define company culture.
Additional tip: Follow the company on social media to better understand the culture.
If the company philosophy about working conditions and work-life balance aligns with yours, you may have found your match. The company also wants to know that you are the right fit; part of your role is representing them.
Know Current Trends
What’s new? Does genome sequencing fascinate you? Do you stay up late at night thinking about how AI can reduce diagnosis time?
Read current articles about the biotech niche that interest you. You’ll be able to show your interviewer that you’ve kept current even though your formal learning has ended.
Be Ready to Talk Biotech
Be sure that you understand the technical language.
The interviewer will want to make sure that you’re more than a piece of paper. You’ll likely get asked some technical questions to verify that you understand the industry and its jargon. Use the terms relevant to your niche. If your interviewer doesn’t know the word, they’ll ask.
Connect the Dots
Biotechnology does not exist in a vacuum. Show that you understand how your BioTech niche connects to other industries.
For example, if you want to improve crops using BioTech strategies, also be ready to explain the impact on human health or even economics.
Finally, don’t be surprised if your interviewer gives you a hypothetical scenario and asks for your response. First, they want to see how you approach problems logically and solve them. Answering a hypothetical question also shows how well you understand the role.
If you’ve prepared with these interview tips, you’ll be ready to ace the interview.
How can we help you?
Are you seeking talent in Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Medical Device or Clinical Research?
We can create a custom recruitment strategy for your organization. I’m Ready to Hire!
Are you considering a new career opportunity?
We can help you land the opportunity that displays your talents and advances your career. Contact Us or Browse Jobs.
