Can't get a job and have biotech MSc

Brregzit · 17-11-2018 12:52PM #1

After my undergrad I ended up spending a year applying for jobs, did several interviews and ended up with nothing. But now, after having thrown in the towel and done a one year taught masters, it seems as if I'm getting ignored in the same way! In fact just to get the job I have, I've pretty much had to pretend to be another person on one version of my CV! It's funny because all I'm hearing is how the economy is picking up.

With the MSc, the plan for my three month internship fell through and I ended up having to do a boring project on campus. So I'm basically back to square one... with minimal industrial experience. What might be becoming a problem by now though, is that I've kind of forgotten all the lingo. Not necessarily that I don't understand things as well, but that I feel I forget the correct technical buzz words... if I were asked lets say "what abilities would you have to offer in the lab?". I wouldn't have a clue where to start with that question. All I'd be thinking is "just give me the job and I'll show you". That wouldn't have been the case with me two years ago when I'd started applying. I had the enthusiasm then.

If I were given a lab based job I would genuinely have the motivation study over any aspects of it associated with my college notes. But unless that happens I have absolutely no motivation to re-study my college notes. At this stage because I've so many opinions on why my masters was stupid and pointless, I feel that if asked a question about it (that I don't have a prepared answer for) I mightn't be able to help but to end up saying something that might sound quite cynical. I was asked the question recently of "what did you learn from your masters?". I thought to myself "I've it done... I've done my penance". And honestly, the things I've learned from it aren't the things the organisers of my masters would expect me to say!

I feel like a life time interviewee and it gets exhausting... making phone calls, copying and pasting cover letters... applying for jobs merely so that I can feel as if I'm making an effort. I recently applied for a laboratory assistant job and they basically told me that it wouldn't be right to give it to me because I am over qualified. So it seems as if you can't win either way.

OMM 0000 · 17-11-2018 07:39PM

Is everyone from your degree and masters having the same problem?

If not, what do you think is the difference between you and them?

RobinPearson · 18-11-2018 11:03AM

A lot of companies in Dublin offering lab apprenticeship for people without experience and degree. You should have no problem just to walk into those jobs.
Looks like you attitude is biggest issue here and interviewers can see that.
On the other hand - there are few places that would be happy to offer you job in a lab paying 25K a year.

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 11:08AM

RobinPearson wrote: »

Looks like you attitude is biggest issue here and interviewers can see that.

And I thought the internet was the one place I could vent!

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 11:11AM

RobinPearson wrote: »

A lot of companies in Dublin offering lab apprenticeship for people without experience and degree. You should have no problem just to walk into those jobs.

Could you name a few please?

dar_cool · 18-11-2018 11:12AM

Pfizer and BMS are crying out for people in operations, also Shire, MSD, Alexion aswell, they are in start up phase but great to get in at this stage as its great experience

daheff · 18-11-2018 11:14AM

have you tried talking to the university's student officers? they usually have officers tasked with helping graduates get employment /links to industry

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 11:16AM

dar_cool wrote: »

Pfizer and BMS are crying out for people in operations, also Shire, MSD, Alexion aswell, they are in start up phase but great to get in at this stage as its great experience

I'll try those. Pfizer and MSD have always seemed impossible to get into. I would be very surprised to even hear back from them.

AntiClimax · 18-11-2018 11:18AM

RobinPearson wrote: »

Looks like you attitude is biggest issue here and interviewers can see that.

His attitude or his exhaustion?

looksee · 18-11-2018 11:50AM

I know someone with an MSc and a science PhD (similarish area to OP) and not a sniff of a job - and years of experience, but only at low level jobs, which is why the higher degrees.

In fact the job ops were better with just the primary degree. Now the response is - oh you wouldn't want to stay on at this job, you are over qualified, you've been in academia, you'd be bored here. When the answer is, I would be happy to run a lab, I'd even work my way up to running a lab if you like (in spite of having experience doing just that). What they mean is, (even without expression of expectations) we are not prepared to pay a salary that would reflect your qualifications, we would rather bodge along with someone on minimum wage.

And they (this person) absolutely identified with the OP's description of losing the buzz words, eventually you do get to the stage of saying to yourself 'of course I can do your piddling job, I can see that this this and this need improving in your lab and I could sort it all out, stop asking me stupid questions and just let me show you'. But this is 'attitude'. Can't have that, must keep up the vacuous buzz words and auto-answers that HR are programmed to understand.

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 12:10PM

dar_cool wrote: »

BMS are crying out for people in operations

I don't know if they're crying out. Nothing suitable for me on their website anyway.

beauf · 18-11-2018 12:16PM

I think you are finding you are now applying for jobs that are at higher level and the interviews are more demanding.

You should go get some professional interview coaching.

Also getting a job at this level take a bit of effort and perseverance.

Ash.J.Williams · 18-11-2018 12:16PM

Brregzit wrote: »

After my undergrad I ended up spending a year applying for jobs, did several interviews and ended up with nothing. But now, after having thrown in the towel and done a one year taught masters, it seems as if I'm getting ignored in the same way! In fact just to get the job I have, I've pretty much had to pretend to be another person on one version of my CV! It's funny because all I'm hearing is how the economy is picking up.

With the MSc, the plan for my three month internship fell through and I ended up having to do a boring project on campus. So I'm basically back to square one... with minimal industrial experience. What might be becoming a problem by now though, is that I've kind of forgotten all the lingo. Not necessarily that I don't understand things as well, but that I feel I forget the correct technical buzz words... if I were asked lets say "what abilities would you have to offer in the lab?". I wouldn't have a clue where to start with that question. All I'd be thinking is "just give me the job and I'll show you". That wouldn't have been the case with me two years ago when I'd started applying. I had the enthusiasm then.

If I were given a lab based job I would genuinely have the motivation study over any aspects of it associated with my college notes. But unless that happens I have absolutely no motivation to re-study my college notes. At this stage because I've so many opinions on why my masters was stupid and pointless, I feel that if asked a question about it (that I don't have a prepared answer for) I mightn't be able to help but to end up saying something that might sound quite cynical. I was asked the question recently of "what did you learn from your masters?". I thought to myself "I've it done... I've done my penance". And honestly, the things I've learned from it aren't the things the organisers of my masters would expect me to say!

I feel like a life time interviewee and it gets exhausting... making phone calls, copying and pasting cover letters... applying for jobs merely so that I can feel as if I'm making an effort. I recently applied for a laboratory assistant job and they basically told me that it wouldn't be right to give it to me because I am over qualified. So it seems as if you can't win either way.

Msd?

dar_cool · 18-11-2018 01:27PM

Brregzit wrote: »

I don't know if they're crying out. Nothing suitable for me on their website anyway.

I work in one of the above companies and its what I hear people saying. They cant keep people as alot of competition for people

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 01:32PM

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Msd?

I read that as "mad"!

MSD is Merck Sharpe and Domme. Probably spelled that wrong.

Damien360 · 18-11-2018 01:48PM

I work everyday in this industry, travelling to various companies. They are screaming for people right now.

You might need coaching on interview technique. Very often the reason you are being interviewed person to person has nothing to do with your qualifications, as you wouldn't have got the interview without them but they are assessing if you can work in an environment with other people without causing waves. Remember sitting beside the asshole in College ? Well you wouldn't want to work with them.

Currently BMS in Blanchardstown are taking Pfizer and Takeda people from Grangecastle. Shire outside Clonee are just getting going, no lab yet but are hunting. Early Q1 for that. Your MSc is not over qualified but a pHD certainly would be for a lab job.

Biochem is the new buzzword and you should be able to leverage that to get a start. The old "where will you be in 5 years" chestnut should be viewed as a giggle and say with any luck I'll still be here. Questions are standardised to remove any legal issues with unfair interviews but everything outside these core questions should be viewed as a chat and an exploration about you. Please don't say reading as a hobby.

Outside the lab jobs, there are a myriad of companies supplying these Biochem plants who also need someone to sell their products and want a person with a Biochem buzzword attached. MSc. is a big plus here. A strong personality will be required to deal with customers face to face. Or a long neck !

Remember, when you come out of college, you think you know it all. Believe me, you have the theory but that's it. Be good enough to believe you have lots more to learn. If you say this in an interview, have an answer that is simple and not found up your own backside. Be natural.

Best of luck finding a job. The first one is always hard to get.

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 02:18PM

daheff wrote: »

have you tried talking to the university's student officers? they usually have officers tasked with helping graduates get employment /links to industry

They seem to come across professional and all, but they're the very people who can't seem to be able to offer any effective advice.

arccosh · 18-11-2018 02:39PM

Give outside Ireland a go to build experience?

I've been through the whole ballache of it all (in a different sector, but similar issue).
You don't realise how small Ireland is until you leave, and they have the pick of the bunch (the unreasonable newly graduated MSc with 10 years experience).
I was surprised how easy it was to get a job outside of it.

Coming back to your particular sector. I know a girl in the UK who ended up there for the same reason and hasn't left. In charge of her own team now, she said she got that position after 3 years, and she was refused numerous jobs in Ireland.

Ash.J.Williams · 18-11-2018 05:19PM

Brregzit wrote: »

I read that as "mad"!

MSD is Merck Sharpe and Domme. Probably spelled that wrong.

Did you apply,?

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 07:29PM

arccosh wrote: »

Give outside Ireland a go to build experience?

I've been through the whole ballache of it all (in a different sector, but similar issue).
You don't realise how small Ireland is until you leave, and they have the pick of the bunch (the unreasonable newly graduated MSc with 10 years experience).
I was surprised how easy it was to get a job outside of it.

Coming back to your particular sector. I know a girl in the UK who ended up there for the same reason and hasn't left. In charge of her own team now, she said she got that position after 3 years, and she was refused numerous jobs in Ireland.

I remember trying a few in England with no luck. Retrogenix and Proimmune to name a few.

What country did you end up in?

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 07:30PM

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Did you apply,?

Several times as far as I know.

Ash.J.Williams · 18-11-2018 07:34PM

Brregzit wrote: »

Several times as far as I know.

MSD are recruiting 100s of people

DemocAnarchis · 18-11-2018 07:39PM

Sounds like you could benefit from some interview coaching, and be worth having someone review your CV. Sounds like you're plenty qualified for a lot of jobs out there in the sector, but the interview process is tough. Most biotech/pharma companies interview with a variation of the STAR model / competency based interviews. Basically, you need a couple of examples (stories) that demonstrate a time that you showed X (leadership, decision making, technical insight etc). Good luck!

corkgirl17 · 18-11-2018 07:59PM

I work for a pharma company in cork and see new people being hired who have no industrial experience whatsoever. If you have the education then apply!! They are hiring all the time.

Brregzit · 18-11-2018 08:19PM

corkgirl17 wrote: »

I work for a pharma company in cork and see new people being hired who have no industrial experience whatsoever. If you have the education then apply!! They are hiring all the time.

What company is that?

NSAman · 18-11-2018 08:26PM

First job out of Uni I was told I was “over qualified”.

I replied, “well use that to your advantage”... got the job..;)

Brregzit · 20-11-2018 07:58PM

dar_cool wrote: »

Pfizer and BMS are crying out for people in operations, also Shire, MSD, Alexion aswell, they are in start up phase but great to get in at this stage as its great experience

Don't those interviews (Pfizer and MSD) usually involve several aptitude tests and the several interview rounds??

Brregzit · 25-11-2018 07:53PM

Damien360 wrote: »

I work everyday in this industry, travelling to various companies. They are screaming for people right now.

So would it be worth applying for this for example? without the 2 years experience?

https://abbott.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/abbottcareers/job/Ireland---Donegal-Town/Scientist_30898427-1

Damien360 · 25-11-2018 08:01PM

Brregzit wrote: »

So would it be worth applying for this for example? without the 2 years experience?

https://abbott.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/abbottcareers/job/Ireland---Donegal-Town/Scientist_30898427-1

I don't see why not. It appears to be process validation. A really good starting point as it is a step above lab QC. Still the same work but you learn a little about the process behind it.

And if you fail to get through, nobody keeps CV's on file. Apply for another one. Abbotts have a few companies scattered around. Clonmel, Sligo town (2 plants, one closing or closed), Longford. If you are just trying to get a start, look for quality control roles. Often labeled as QA. A few companies have QC for finished product and QA for raw materials. Stay out of food business unless you plan staying in it.

Brregzit · 25-11-2018 08:18PM

Damien360 wrote: »

I don't see why not. It appears to be process validation. A really good starting point as it is a step above lab QC. Still the same work but you learn a little about the process behind it.

And if you fail to get through, nobody keeps CV's on file. Apply for another one. Abbotts have a few companies scattered around. Clonmel, Sligo town (2 plants, one closing or closed), Longford. If you are just trying to get a start, look for quality control roles. Often labeled as QA. A few companies have QC for finished product and QA for raw materials. Stay out of food business unless you plan staying in it.

Thanks,

A question I've wondered about... do they notice if you apply for several? and does it look bad? like you mightn't be sure what you're after?

Anyway I certainly don't have two years experience. I just applied for this one instead, which requires no experience.

https://abbott.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/abbottcareers/job/Ireland---Longford/Diagnostic-Technologist_30896722

I've applied for 4 jobs with Abbotty in total. Two of those since finishing my MSc... and I only got one automated "you have been unsuccessful" email. So, just like any other company, I wouldn't be holding my breath with Abbott.

Damien360 · 25-11-2018 08:24PM

Brregzit wrote: »

Thanks,

A question I've wondered about... do they notice if you apply for several? and does it look bad? like you mightn't be sure what you're after?

Anyway I certainly don't have two years experience. I just applied for this one instead, which requires no experience.

https://abbott.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/abbottcareers/job/Ireland---Longford/Diagnostic-Technologist_30896722

I've applied for 4 jobs with Abbotty in total. Two of those since finishing my MSc... and I only got one automated "you have been unsuccessful" email. So, just like any other company, I wouldn't be holding my breath with Abbott.

That's not a lab job but a process Technican. Manufacturing floor. Never worry about how many applications for the same company. Just don't apply for the same job a few times unless the timeframe is different. Same job description a few months apart is not the same at all so apply away.

Can't get a job and have biotech MSc

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