Strategizing Your Job Search: Insider Tips From Career Catalyst with Laura Tan

October 11, 2024

BioBuzz has been connecting the life science workforce since 2009. We’ve built an expansive community in the Mid-Atlantic with a national readership that spans from Massachusettes to Florida, and New York to California. For our next chapter, we’re building a proprietary talent logistics model to help employers source and hire life science talent. Learn more.

On October 1st, BioBuzz hosted another edition of Career Catalyst, featuring Laura Tan, Associate Director for the People Department at Arcellx, who shared invaluable advice on navigating the job market, building strong resumes, and identifying the right employers. With over a decade of experience in human resources, Laura’s insights left attendees feeling empowered to take their careers to the next level.

Key Takeaways from the Event

Laura’s presentation focused on three crucial areas for job seekers: self-reflection, resume optimization, and leveraging your network. Here’s a breakdown of the core advice she offered:

1. Self-Reflection: A Critical First Step

Laura emphasized that before diving into the job search, candidates must take a moment for self-reflection. Understanding your goals and what drives you—whether it’s career growth, work-life balance, or leadership opportunities—is key to targeting the right companies and roles.

“You have to learn what works for you and ask yourself, ‘What do I want out of my career?’ Are you driven by title, work-life balance, or something else?” Laura advised.

Self-awareness also means assessing your strengths and weaknesses, which allows you to pursue jobs that match your skill set and values. If you prefer a supportive role rather than management, focus your search on roles that align with this preference. Likewise, if you’re aiming to avoid a role with extensive travel, filter your search accordingly.

2. How to Stand Out: Resume and Application Tips

When it comes to resumes, Laura provided several strategies to help job seekers stand out. One crucial piece of advice: tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for. Laura highlighted that many companies are now using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, so including relevant keywords is essential. Additionally, cover letters remain an opportunity to make a personal connection with the employer.

“Your resume is not just a document—it’s your personal marketing tool,” Laura shared. “It should reflect your most relevant experience and showcase how you meet the needs of the company.”

Laura also recommended carefully reading job postings to understand the company’s priorities and culture. This will allow you to highlight your relevant experiences in your application.

3. Identifying the Right Company

While applying for jobs can be overwhelming, Laura stressed the importance of taking the time to research potential employers to ensure they align with your personal values. What is their communication style? How do they portray their work culture online? Are they investing in training and development? These are just some of the factors to consider when evaluating potential employers.

“If a company isn’t clear or organized during the recruitment process, this could be a red flag about how they manage their employees once they are hired,” Laura noted.

Tools like Glassdoor can offer insights into a company’s culture, but Laura reminded attendees to approach reviews with caution and use them as a starting point for questions in interviews.

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Watch the full presentation here:

Join Us for the Next Career Catalyst

BioBuzz’s Career Catalyst series aims to provide practical and actionable advice for professionals in life sciences and biotech. The events are designed to foster community engagement and provide a supportive environment for job seekers at any stage of their careers.

Stay tuned for our next event with Juli McDonald, a career coach and interview expert. Juli will teach us how to become memorable candidates by harnessing the power of storytelling in interviews. Register here.

Whether you’re just starting your job search or looking to make a career pivot, Career Catalyst has something for everyone.