In this career chat, I had a fun conversation with Nicole Gampp, Senior Alliance Manager at Compass Therapeutics. Nicole shares her unique, non-linear career journey from research to HR and medical affairs, eventually leading to alliance management. We discuss the intricacies of an Alliance Manager's role, the importance of networking, and career transitions. Nicole emphasizes the significance of finding a mission-driven company and offers insights into work-life balance differences between...

In this episode, I explore 10 common resume mistakes that might be hindering your biotech job search. Drawing from my recent BioSpace column and observations, I offer practical advice on pitfalls to avoid, such as using profile pictures, fancy formatting, and not proofreading. I emphasize the importance of a professional email address and discuss the specific information you should never include. Learn how to stand out with a tidy and impactful resume, whether you're transitioning from...

In this episode of the Biotech Career Coach Podcast, we revisit an interview with John Doyle, Education Director at the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, originally conducted for the Building Biotechs podcast. We discuss pathways for individuals with little to no experience to enter the biotech industry, emphasizing the academy's role in re-skilling and transitioning careers through intensive training programs. John tells us about the academy's offerings, including a seven-month training...

In this episode, I explore the notion of perceived career setbacks, particularly regarding the decision to return to academia after a stint in industry. This topic often arises during coaching sessions where individuals express concerns about the job market and their career trajectories. We discuss recent trends, including market corrections and layoffs, that have impacted employment prospects in biotech. Through real-life stories, I highlight various career paths and the importance of...

In this episode, I share highlights from a recent ask me anything event in our community, where I addressed key questions from members about biotech careers, including opportunities for immigrants, tackling interview challenges, job market trends, and strategic job application timing. If you'd like to participate in future events, join our mailing list for updates. Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources: Join our free community Subscribe to our...

In this episode, I discuss actionable tips from our recent book club read, 'Captivate,' on how to enhance your charisma for job interviews and networking. I'll share key themes and personal strategies for making a strong first impression, even if you're not naturally charismatic. Learn about the importance of setting up your environment, using body language effectively, and engaging others with genuine interest. This episode focuses on the first half of the book, which is relevant to job...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Kyle Huggins, the founder and CEO of Management Mogul. Kyle shares his journey from a rocky start with a liberal arts degree amidst the post-2008 crash to becoming a leader at Deloitte and eventually founding his own company. We explore the importance of developing foundational leadership skills such as building rapport, influence, and trust within teams. Kyle emphasizes the importance of mentorship and accountability, and provides...

In this episode, I dive deeper into my monthly BioSpace column answers, providing detailed advice on transitioning from academia to biotech, creating impactful industry resumes, and handling team leadership stress. I also discuss how to address pre-planned vacations when starting a new job and announce an exciting new format for next month's session: a live 'Ask Me Anything.' Sign up for the newsletter at biotechcareercoach.com to join the live session! Don't miss next week's episode, which...

In this career chat, Christina Guerrier shares her journey from healthcare and biotech to founding her own consulting firm, Protean Insights Partner. Christina discusses her transitions across various roles, from project management to strategy development, and the blend of skills that facilitated her success. She provides valuable insights on networking, the nuances between the healthcare and biotech sectors, and the attributes of a good consultant. The conversation also touches on balancing...

This week, I am thrilled to share an inspiring conversation with Bruce Wu, whom we’ve interviewed before on our sister podcast 'Building Biotechs.' Bruce has held a series of executive roles, including Chief Legal Officer and Chief People Officer. Bruce has recently started to offer executive coaching to aspiring leaders. In this episode, Bruce shares his philosophies on executive coaching, career advancement, and the importance of finding your North Star. We also discuss his commitment to...

In this episode, we chat with Surina Sikka, a Program Manager at Moderna, about her unique career journey. Serena begins by discussing her early career as a biochemist and her progression from lab work to program management. She highlights the skills and experiences that facilitated her transition, including a crucial course from MassBio in biotechnology project management. Surina also shares invaluable insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of a program manager and offers tips for...

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my office hours session, where I answered questions from our community that were featured in my latest career coach column in Biospace. I discussed how to gain lab experience for a biotech career, handling a bad interview experience, and navigating promotions without salary increases, aks 'Dry' promotions. Tune in to hear practical advice and actionable tips for advancing your biotech career, and let me know if you like this format for some of...

In this insightful live discussion, we explore the career journey of Priya Baraniak, PhD, Chief Business Officer at OrganaBio. Priya shares her unexpected transition from a traditional academic path as a biomedical engineer to strategic positions in growing biotech startups. She discusses the challenges and opportunities she faced, the importance of networking, and balancing multiple responsibilities. Priya also reflects on the emotional experiences of being laid off and having to lay off...

Our monthly career coach column on BioSpace just dropped! This month we discuss strategies for handling multiple job interviews, the importance of keeping an open mind, and pursuing roles that align with your career goals. We also tackle the disappointment of pulled job offers and provide advice on maintaining momentum in your job search. For those seeking career growth, we address handling difficult work environments, the importance of effective communication with managers, and the...

In this episode, we discuss whether your job search is on the right track by examining key metrics. I give a blueprint for a gold-standard job search, informed by a decade of experience and interviews with numerous successful candidates in the biotech industry. We go over metrics for networking, applications-to-interviews ratios, interview progression rates, and offer negotiation tactics. By the end of the episode, listeners will understand how to measure their job search effectiveness and...

In this episode, we dive into 'Radical Candor' by Kim Scott, a must-read for anyone aiming to improve their leadership and communication skills. This podcast features excerpts from a recent interactive book club, highlighting key discussions about how to provide and receive honest feedback effectively. I share some personal insights on applying the book's principles in both professional and personal settings, including practical advice on maintaining regular, goal-oriented meetings with...

In this episode, we explore the step-by-step process of preparing an industry job talk that can significantly boost your chances of landing a job. From crafting a compelling introduction with a strong hook to organizing your presentation with engaging storytelling techniques such as 'yes, and' and 'and, but, therefore,' this guide provides invaluable tips. Learn the importance of simple and visually appealing slides, tying your research back to the job description, and effectively handling...

Our monthly career coach column on BioSpace just dropped! This month we offer deeper insights into navigating the job market and the hiring process. There's a lot of stigma and confusion surrounding career gaps, but recruiters are more interested in how candidates have used their time to maintain or enhance their skills. This episode provides practical advice on how candidates can positively frame their career breaks during interviews, using tutoring as an example of a valuable experience. We...

This week my monthly BioSpace Career Coach column dropped, so I'm going into greater detail about each of the questions I answered in that column. We chat about excelling in Zoom calls, acing HR interviews, and navigating potential layoffs. This advice is widely applicable for those of you wanting to stand out and take control of your career. Check out the full column on BioSpace for more insights! Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources: Join...

In this episode, Dimple Doshi, MS, SAPM, shares her inspiring journey from a bench scientist to R&D Strategy and Operations, where she now blends science and business. As a first-generation immigrant, she navigated challenges and leveraged transferable skills to carve her unique career path. From the Northeastern Co-op program to her experience in large and small companies, Dimple's story will resonate with many aspiring biotech professionals we meet in the community. We discuss career...

This week, I recap the great BioSpace event I participated in this week: Navigating a Competitive Job Market. Moderated by Chantal Dresner, VP of Marketing at BioSpace, I joined forces with Greg Clouse, Recruiting Manager at BioSpace, to answer questions about job seeking, the state of the industry, and how to put your best foot forward if you're on the market. This recap gives a nice quick overview, but grab the links below for the full replay and all of the other goodies I mention in this...

In this episode, we discuss the power of mindset in your job search and career. Despite some considering it "woo," we explore how mindset can impact success. Check out the research links below for some great papers on the subject. Positive thinking plays a crucial role in facing challenges in the job market and navigating career growth. Drawing on neuroscience and psychology research, we emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and give you quick tools to reframe your...

In this episode, we chat about bad bosses. Whether you're currently dealing with a difficult manager or looking to avoid one in the future, we've got you covered. Learn how different work styles can impact your relationship with your manager, and how to fix it. We also give actionable tips on 'managing up' and interviewing effectively to land a better boss next time! Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources: Join our free Slack group Attend our...

This week I take you behind-the-scenes into one of our office hours discussions. Tailoring your resume to align with the job description is critical for success in job applications. I teach how to thoroughly analyze a job description to grasp the specific pain points and challenges faced by the hiring manager. By identifying repeated keywords and themes, you can effectively speak to those pain points as you create a resume that truly addresses the need. Learn more about the Collaboratory...