Take the Key Word Test

Based on over a decade of Biotech recruiting, I can assure you that the industry remains highly competitive and immensely popular. Why shouldn’t it? Science rocks! Consequently, the amount of interested candidates for just one position can often be overwhelming. If there is one industry that doesn’t fare well with “skill crossover”, it’s Biotech.


I will post more specifically on the whys of that later, but for now, wanted to focus on “key words.” Key words are important for a lot of reasons beyond a Google search. In this context, I ask all 'potentials' to take the “keyword test.” Most biotech jobs involve the knowledge, experience, and competitive advantage (very important) related to these words.

If most of them leave you “blinded by science”, chances are better than not that you probably aren't a good fit for most biotech jobs. In over tens years of working with hiring managers, I've yet to find one who will "train on the job", at least in terms of the basic Life Science requirments. I mention that owing to the large number of "unqualified" resumes I often receive with candidates assuring me they "Can learn on the job." On the other hand, if these words speak your patois, you’re probably at the right place!


I’ve put together the most often used key words in our job descriptions (based on technology, not job descriptions). The more of them you can explain (without looking up) or have actual hands on experience, the more likely you are to be a qualified candidate for the industry. Here you go!


DNA… nucleic acid… FISH… chemiluminesance… biomarkers…immunoassay…RT-PCR… HPLC… cell culture… CLIA… reagents…liquid handling…platforms…gene therapy…sequencing…drug discovery…image analysis…cytometry…molecular biology…HTS…western blots…genomics…infrared…SNP…protein arrays…gels…electrophoresis…microscopy…RNA…proteomics…molecular imaging…bioinformatics…siRNA…2 D gels...ASCP...cell biology...genetics...molecular biology
label-free detection...IHC...biosimilars...microarrays...GPCR...anatomic pathology


Posted by Patricia