SciPhD’s Networking for Success is a 2 Day Webinar-based custom online program that focuses specifically on the practical communications and networking skills you need to get your resume to the hiring manager. This series includes a VIP networking reception where students can connect with industry professionals that can even lead to a new job.

Day 1: Building and Leveraging Your Network

The PhD and postdoc experiences provide academic scientists with exceptional technical knowledge, so much so that they are rightly referred to as “Subject Matter Experts” or “SMEs”. And, as we have been discussing in this series of articles over these past four weeks, the experience of investigative science also teaches the same discipline, control, strategic thinking, risk management and collaboration experiences that are highly valued by virtually all professional organizations. So essentially, scientists who have experienced the PhD process really are eminently qualified for positions in professional organizations- not just by virtue of their “scientific” identity, but their “business” and “social” identities as well.

With respect to landing your first job, these impressive qualifications are almost useless if the hiring manager never finds out about you! In a slight modification of the age-old expression, it’s not only what you know, it’s also who you know. The fact is, over 80% of new hires are the result of referrals. So, the most significant thing you can do beyond continuing your excellent science, is to build your network. And for almost all professional organizations, LinkedIn is the appropriate platform to organize that network. LinkedIn is the primary social media professional platform used to evaluate candidates and is used in almost 90% of all cases and as such, you must have a well-developed LinkedIn profile. In addition, it is an incredibly powerful tool to connect you to those who can get your resume directly to the hiring manager.

There are many opportunities to build your network and invite those acquaintances to become part of your LinkedIn family. Your colleagues where you do your science, the folks you meet at scientific meetings, virtually any event you attend is an opportunity to build your network. Beyond your professional circles, your family, friends, neighbors, and any others you interact with should be invited into your network. The fact is, it is unlikely anyone in your primary network will offer you a job, but it is very likely they know someone who will.

One of the keys to actively building your network and engaging with new people is to use some of the communications skills we discussed earlier in this series, and learn to shift from “expert” to “learner”, and ask questions about something you have in common- like the event that you are at. This is a great way to initiate conversations and bring new people into your network. We recognize this is not easy for many of us. The age of COVID obviously further complicates the ability to network, but the benefits are well worth the additional effort!

Take this process seriously. You will be competing against dozens, hundreds, or even more very qualified candidates, and the best way to get considered is to get your resume and an endorsement directly to the hiring manager. Having an extensive network is the most effective way to do this. That is the first step in getting an interview, which is the goal of the targeted resume. So, build your network, use it to get noticed, and Land That Job! We’ll further explore the art of networking throughout this week.

Day 2: Building and Leveraging Your Networkt Q&A

Day 2: Building and Leveraging Your Network- Q&A

Below are examples of questions that often come up during our SciPhD webinars, bootcamps and workshops. Hopefully our answers can be of some benefit to those who want to build their networks.

Q: Any suggestions on how to network in the age of Covid? Is it possible to attend events online similar to what you are suggesting?

A: Social distancing has certainly created a challenge for building one’s network. But as we have attempted to adapt ourselves to this new reality, so too have organizations where we might typically attend networking events. Many of the biotechnology trade organizations (MassBio, Life Science PA, BioNJ, Biocom etc) have transitioned their networking events to online where you can meet people who are already in professional organizations. For some this may actually provide a less intimidating way to connect with new people. One key in connecting with someone you don’t know is to ask a question about something you have in common. You could ask what they thought of the virtual presentation. Or, if they work at a medical device company, and you are interested in learning more about working in the medical device industry, you might express that, and ask how they made that transition, and do they have any advice. With a few back-and-forth messages during the networking sessions, you can exchange contact information, and followup as convenient. Asking a question conveys the implicit message of “I value your opinion”, which is a great way to get a conversation going. In general, the approach of shifting out of “expert” mode (“listen to me”) to “learner” mode (“I’d like to listen to what you have to say”), is an effective way to initiate conversations and build relationships.

Q: Why is LinkedIn so important for networking?

A: LinkedIn is an extremely valuable tool for three main reasons: 1) Total membership is almost 700 million, with over 300 million classified as “monthly active”, 2) the ease with which you can identify who in your network can connect you with someone in a particular company of interest, and 3) almost 90% of hiring organizations use LinkedIn as the first screening tool to evaluate your candidacy for a job.

Q: What’s the best way to get someone in my LinkedIn network to advocate for me for a specific job?

A: The first step is to search for the company where you are applying, and find either a first, or second level connection. Reach out to your first level connection and re-establish your relationship. You may have to remind them when and where you met. Explain briefly that you have an interest in a particular company, LinkedIn indicates that they may know someone there, and ask if they might be willing to help make that connection. If they agree, then be prepared to explain briefly why you are qualified for the job (SciPhD’s Flamingo will help with that!), and you can offer your targeted resume for them to look over, and if comfortable, to pass on to their contact in the company. If all goes well, you will now have a new advocate to help get your resume to the hiring manager and get a leg up on your competition.

Q: Can I use an informational interview to apply for a job?

A: Generally, no. Informational interviews are intended for you to get a better understanding of the company, its work culture, work-life balance, and get some insight into whether it is the kind of place you might consider applying to in the future. Informational interviews are typically 30 minutes or less, are not an appropriate venue to offer you resume or ask if there are any job openings. The major benefit of an informational interview, if handled well, is that it can eventually lead to an additional well-placed person in your network. Initially, just send a brief e-mail thanking them for their time. Depending on the response, you might consider offering to connect networks, but only if it’s clear they are interested in staying in touch. Otherwise, it’s best to just reach out sometime later when you are actively in your job search and see if they might be able to assist. That will be your best indication if they can be an advocate.

There are literally dozens more networking questions we receive during our online webinars, bootcamps and workshops. You can learn all about them at sciphd.com

Day 3: Networking Case Study

Day 3: Networking Case Studies

As part of our SciPhD Networking online training program, we provide a “VIP Networking Reception” in which our academic scientists meet former SciPhD students who have gone on to productive careers at professional organizations in a virtual setting. These events are an opportunity for our students to put into practice the communications skills and networking philosophy that is part of our program. The event is typically about 1.5 to 2 hours via Zoom breakout rooms and provides an opportunity for each of our students to interact and exchange contact information with multiple representatives from area biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, most of whom are former SciPhD students who have successfully moved on to successful careers in professional organizations.

During these events, we receive reports from excited students who have established a connection that led to an interview. In one particular example, one of our students was invited to a 2 hour interview the following week as a result of her performance during the networking session with one company representative. She was contacted by HR just a few hours later and informed that they felt her interviews went very well and would be sending an offer. After some productive negotiations, she accepted the offer and is now a very satisfied employee putting her science to work. Obviously, this is an unusually rapid progression to landing a job, but having acknowledged that, we can also report that this is not the only case like this.

In another example, one of our students used informational interviews as a first step in building connections in a company that provided introductions to other industry professionals, which in turn led to interviews. At the same time, she used her new networking skills and reached out to former scientists from her institution who had already entered the workforce, and through those connections, was able to secure additional interviews, and multiple job offers.

In all these cases, the common thread is that our students are emphatic that their newfound confidence in their ability to initiate conversations, build their network and represent themselves in terms of what the hiring manager is really looking for, gave them a competitive advantage. Part of that confidence comes from their realization that their value to the organization goes well beyond their scientific expertise. Through our programs, they recognize and can demonstrate that in addition to that critical technical/scientific identity, they also have a well-developed business identity and social identity that together make them formidable candidates. In many cases, additional intelligence gained through networking aided interview preparation, and job offer negotiations resulting in higher base salaries and additional compensation. Our students consistently identify their increased self-confidence gained through our programs and subsequent guidance, along with the analytical tools provided by our web-application Flamingo as the major factors that lead to their success.

Day 4: Networking and the Interview Process

If a tree falls, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? That is the age-old question. Similarly, if you are eminently qualified for a job, both technically, as well as with respect to your business skills (how you do your work efficiently and with high precision), and your social skills (how you effectively engage with others), but hiring managers aren’t aware of your existence, will you get an interview?

The obvious answer is a resounding NO! There are many super-qualified scientists who aren’t competitive for jobs, simply because they don’t get noticed and so never get the chance to strut their stuff. Your perfect resume is useless if it doesn’t get in front of the hiring manager. And that’s the whole point of a resume- to get the interview! So how do you improve your chances there? By building and leveraging your network. By building relationships early in your career, the likelihood that you will be able to find connections within the company you want to join go way up. And once you have an advocate who can get your resume directly to the hiring manager, along with a recommendation, that’s how you maximize your opportunity to then demonstrate why you are truly qualified during the interview.

Your network is also your most effective resource to get important intelligence in preparation for your interview. We’ve had scientists discover through their networks which scientific paths of investigation the hiring manager is most excited about, which allowed them to prepare and research that specific area thoroughly. In one case, we even discovered that one of the divisions within the company was likely to be disbanded in the near future. This helped frame the answers to questions regarding your scientific passions, and reasons you want to work at that company. Discovering salary ranges for particular positions can be revealed through your network. Pet passions and peeves of prospective interviewers is valuable intelligence to have ahead of your interview. You can also gain important insight into work-life balance, the social environment, and the level of excitement within the company.

So how do you build and leverage your network towards landing an interview? Attend university and trade-organization sponsored events that place you in the same place as industry professionals. Learn to initiate conversations by asking questions (in our SciPhD webinars we refer to this as “shifting from expert to learner”). Exchange contact information. Become comfortable with your three identities (technical, business, social) and have those 10-30 second talking points available so that you can bring them out in the appropriate circumstance. And remember that every encounter is an opportunity to network. Need more networking skills or related knowledge? Check out our SciPhD online programs and request your institution sign up. We’d love to have you in our network!

Day 5: Using Networking in the Lab

There are many immediate benefits to practicing and applying your networking skills right now while in the lab. Here are a few scenarios to consider:

You are not alone with respect to the goal of landing a good job. By inviting your science colleagues into your LinkedIn network now, as they move out into the professional world, you will then have access to them and their connections which may uncover job opportunities before they are publicly advertised. Those connections can also provide you with access to professionals in organizations of interest to you for informational interviews.
Colleagues of your PI with whom you communicate or share materials and ideas should be part of your network. They expand your awareness of your professional world and are potential resources beyond your current academic environment.
If you are a graduate students, members of your committee have a vested interest in your professional development, and are good candidates to be part of your professional network. By virtue of their success, they likely can introduce you to others who can advance your career, whether it be in academia or beyond.
The sales representatives that visit your labs are potentially tremendous networking resources. Think of all the people and institutions that they visit, and the size of their LinkedIn networks. How many biotech companies do they visit? How many industry professionals do they know? Consider asking your PI if you could be responsible for negotiating contracts with various vendors who provide reagents, equipment, and consumables for your laboratory. That would give you a position of authority to interact with these sales reps, who in turn are likely to provide you with insights, opportunities, and connections through their extensive networks. Not only that, you might even be able to add the following statement on your targeted resume: “responsible for negotiating bulk consumable contracts for the laboratory resulting in a 15% reduction in laboratory overhead costs”. This indicates to potential hiring managers that you have negotiating, business, and social skills, and some financial acumen.
Establish professional relationships with established researchers and support people within your organization. At the appropriate time, inviting them into your LinkedIn network will unlock another group of professionals that could wind up aiding you in your efforts to connect with a specific company for a specific job. Don’t limit yourself to the PIs. Building professional relationships with the administrative support staff can bring an additional group of professionals within reach, all through the people who you work with currently.
Invite your science colleagues to join you at trade organization events once in-person opportunities resume. Meanwhile, attend virtual events sponsored by your local biotechnology trade organization. There are currently “Bio” trade organizations in 48 states. You can find them all with this link. See if your state’s bio organization is holding events, and start attending them. It is likely that your institution is a member of your local “Bio” which will provide you with free or reduced-fee accesss to their programs.

Networking can be a 24/7 activity. Every interaction is an opportunity to network. Look for those opportunities, seize on them, bring more and more people into your LinkedIn network, and you will be amazed at how deep and broad your contacts will be, and how they can give you a big leg up on landing your first job!