Wow, I didn't quite expect this response.

Fair point on the interview feedback, I'm not dismissing it.

When applying for a job, I usually apply if I have most of the essential skills, or feel I could pick them up quickly. Given my failure so far to get a job in the field when I HAVE all the skills necessary, I don't feel it's a good idea to apply to every job in the world. I do apply for jobs I'm interested in, taking long chances.

Can anyone else offer suggestions or advice please? I'd be interested in hearing suggestions or insight from others.

Maybe I'll do a PhD, but I guess I don't like the idea of needing such a high bar to entry on even entry level jobs.

1.) Doing that right now, been digging around on Google and got some contacts with industry experience I can use for feedback.
2.) Also working on LinkedIn, although I'm not good for it.
3.) I don't really use Twitter at all thanks
4.) I target any company, big ones are just easiest to find.
5.) Thanks for the mailing list suggestion, I've already got about 10 setup, but I'll look at yours too.
6.) Also done this, got about 4 industry agencies regularly contacting me.
7.) Spoke to careers at my old uni, they "struggled with suggestions as you're already doing everything we can think of."
8.) Good idea on the informal meetups, thanks.
9.) You're right, mostly. When there's nothing else to learn, then I start looking at other options. Still one or two things I want from this lab before moving on.
10.) R and Python are on my list of things to learn, probably R next. Thanks for the suggestion on MOOC.



1.) The feedback I get from interviews is positive and well prepared I was. I'm looking for interview training/info at the moment aswell.

2.) And I guess I do sound a bit desperate, but after 2 years of unemployment I guess that's understandable.
3.) As for ambition: I guess we have different definitions of ambition, what I mean is: I'm not overreaching on my job applications, I only target jobs I can do.

Further to the linked post. I've been trying to get a job in science for 18 months. I have about 18 months/2 years experience and Msc in Genetics. I've had over 20 interviews, I've not gotten a job offer. I'm currently doing voluntary research at the local university to boost my CV. The feedback I usually receive is "You were good, there was someone better." I don't know if they're fobbing me off. The custom feedback I get sometimes is far more complimentary and definitely makes me feel better.

I'm looking for information on how to best apply for industry jobs. I'm good at academic applications, but I rarely get ANY reply from industry. rejection or no. I can't find any contact details to get feedback, nor do I know many people in industry to get information on what I'm doing wrong.

I'm not that ambitious, I just want an entry level lab job in genetics that I feel I'm qualified for. A PhD student recently explained that almost EVERY job in industry or academia requires a PhD now, whether entry level or otherwise. I was passed over for a job a few months ago for a completely fresh undergraduate [not from the same uni, she applied just like me]. I really don't want to do a PhD JUST to get an entry level job, I feel forced into it and a PhD is tough enough without hating every second.

Frankly I'm getting disillusioned. I've spent 2 years doing everything I possibly can, and feel I haven't moved forward. Anyone who has experience of industry, can they please help with advice on applications, job requirements, or even places to apply? I know about the major companions [Pfizer, Roche, GSK, Astro, Isogenica] and I check Newscientist etc for other jobs.

Sorry for rambling, but help would be appreciated.

Ideally I'm interested in lab bench work in industry. But I'll try the job titles you suggested and check out Cheeky Scientist.

Edit 2: I also check Newscientist, Nature, CV/VacancyCentral etc. Did I miss something?

Hehe, the "kick up the ass" is appreciated, but you're misunderstanding if you think I'm choosing volunteering over jobs, I simply do the volunteering to improve my CV while trying to actually get a job. I've done plenty of interviews but am still struggling. As for paid internships: I would if I could, but I don't live anywhere where it is practical to do industry internships like that.

Do you have any suggestions on which websites to study regarding the transition, or specific recommendations to study please? I'm currently digging through Google but I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for [apart from "biosciences industry CV etc]. I'm sure I can find my own contacts in industry, I certainly have a few already. Once I figure out how to get started I'm sure I can manage.

Edit: And PS: Please could you suggest some places to look for "entry level" positions in industry? I check the main Pharma company websites [GSK, Pfizer, Isogenica etc] but they rarely advertise for entry level jobs, most requiring a PhD.

I don't have anything to lose by applying to industry jobs, but when my previous applications have literally come to nothing, I'm concerned that I'm doing something fundamental wrong, not just having a poor resume.

Thanks for the response. I've seriously considered that yes and would love to do it, but frankly whenever I apply to big industry jobs, I never heard back from them. I've mostly given up even trying to contact them let alone apply. It's the same for 90% of the industry jobs I apply for, and while I get regular interviews for Academic department jobs, I've not had a single one for an industry position.

Now that you mention it, I guess that's actually a problem I should look into. I presumed that I was doing something wrong. I've applied to a variety of Pharma companies for entry level positions and some things that come up on job sites, but I don't hear anything back from them.

How would I go about writing an application for Industry? I can write a good one for academia, but clearly I'm missing an important difference between academic and industry roles. Judging from the articles on Google [http://www.pgbovine.net/academia-industry-junior-employee.htm, Industry might be a better fit for me [impact, money, stability]. Perhaps I'm asking the wrong questions?

I'm a masters genetics graduate and have spent about a year in various labs as a technician and assistant [mostly voluntary work]. I'm really trying to get a job as a technician or assistant in genetics or biosciences, but I'm debating whether to aim for a PhD now, or after I have a few more years experience.

I'm concerned that since it will take me many applications to get a PhD position, I might get one that I'm only partially interested in, and that will in turn lock me into a field that I might not be interested in by the end. As a rule I only apply for jobs that I can do and I have interest in, but it still concerns me making such a life-changing decision.

My plan was to find a technician/assistant job and then get a better idea of what I'm getting into, but am I being too hesitant? Should I just get on with it, or am I making the right decision to get more familiar with the process and field? I'd hate to waste my time, because I honestly enjoy lab work as a technician or assistant, I'm not that interested in fighting for grants or running my own group.

Any advice would be appreciated, even if its just a kick up the ass.

Sounds about right to me Ian. 3 years in research is a long time to plan for, guess you have to go with the flow a bit.

I appreciate your advice.

I guess I should have mentioned this before, but I've already done a research masters. Loved the project, but my supervisor was pretty poor. Of the 7 months to do a project, I spent 3 months doing something completely unrelated, 3 months fighting with the dataset I was given in order to analyse it properly, and 3 weeks to get all the labwork done.

As for isolation, self motivation etc, I can do all that, its not a problem. I'm still not sure whether its the right thing to do, but I guess sometimes there's nothing ventured. If its just 3 years of the same stuff with my masters, if I have a decent supervisor this time then I'll love it.

Ganesha, thankyou very much: find a decent supervisor [good relationship and good support], treat it like a job [9-5 etc, I can do that]. Very much appreciated.

Ian, I've seen that game before, my GF sent it too me some time ago. Made me facedesk then, makes me facedesk now. But thanks, good for a laugh.

And thanks for the blog, it was extremely informative.

I guess my issue is not knowing right now whether its the right thing for me. I enjoy scientific research in my field, but a 3 year commitment is alot to ask. I think I could handle it, but right now I'm still not sure what is actually involved, even with your blog. I can handle just doing research, writing and planning it all for a few years, but it seems like a huge obstacle without clear structure.

How did you know it was the right thing to do?

What TreeofLife said. Try another school. Speak to the supervisors, and explain the situation, they can and often do bend the rules for candidates they feel are worth the trouble. Alternatively, they can also introduce you to other prospective supervisors that might be interested, both within and outside their own respective institutions.