Career Tools
Career Development for Biologists
This page offers some basic information to help students transition from College to Career. Use the information as a starting point. Students can get more resources and assistance at PLACE or from their advisor:
Topic 1: Social Networking for Professionals
Topic 1: Social Networking for Professionals
How can I develop an online presence on social media geared toward my professional life and career goals?
I. Get Linkedin
- What is Linkedin?
- A professional networking site for the business community
- When should a student get a Linkedin page?
- Now
- What are the key components of an effective Linkedin page?
- Headshot
- About (short and professional)
- Experiences (jobs, special activities, research)
- Education
- Skills
- Where can you get support for your Linkedin page?
- PLACE will help you polish your page
- Look at other people's pages to get ideas for your profile
- How should you use Linkedin?
- To make yourself three-dimensional
- To build a network by inviting people to be your contacts (professors, professionals, peers, family members, etc.)
- To join groups
- To get professors and others to endorse your skills
- Reminder: Don't let it linger! Keep it up to date
II. Maybe ResearchGate is for you
- What is ResearchGate?
- A social networking platform for people who are active in research, such as scientists, clinicians, students, public health workers, computer scientists and lab technicians
- Who should have a ResearchGate profile?
- Students who are thinking about going to graduate school
- Students who are thinking about one of the above professions
- What are the key components of an effective ResearchGate profile?
- Profile that includes a headshot
- About Me section includes introduction, disciplines, skills and expertise
- Ongoing research, presentations and publications
- How should you use ResearchGate?
- To build a network of other researchers doing similar work to help you stay current
- To find other researchers doing similar work
- To find potential graduate school advisors or labs to work in
III. Everyone needs Handshake
- What is Handshake?
- An online recruiting platform for higher education students and alumni
- Handshake is designed for college students and graduates up to four years past graduation
- How is it different from Linkedin?
- 100% of the jobs are entry-level or internships — they are geared toward you
- Thousands of employers post on Handshake
- Recruiters use Handshake to reach out to potential employees
- Does Handshake replace Linkedin?
- NO. It is a good idea to have an updated profile on both.
- Handshake is a good place for you to find a job.
- Linkedin is where a potential employer will look you up before they interview you or offer you a job.
IV. Social Media — where our personal and professional lives collide
- What considerations should we have about our personal social media?
- Anything on social media may end up being seen by an employer or potential employer
- We are judged by how our social media pages portray us
- How do we want others to see us in life and on social media?
- As people of character and integrity, who respect others
Topic 2: Cover Letters
How to write an effective cover letter for an entry-level position with a biology degree
I. Overview - Perhaps you are looking for an entry-level position with a degree in biology. Check out a sample cover letter that Dr. Collins wrote along with the original job ad. This is only intended to help you get started. It is not an end all, be all. Not all advice is right for all people and all jobs. Reach out to PLACE for more help and guidance
II. Format - Use business letter format saved as a PDF. Use your last name as part of the file title. Unless you have a compelling reason, keep the cover letter to one page.
III. Research the job and the organization - Look through the organization website for ideas of what is important to the organization and use that information in the cover letter to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the organization.
IV. Use the job ad to write your cover letter - Address your letter to the person associated with the job ad (whether found in the job ad or by searching the organization webpage).
- First paragraph:
- State where you heard about the job, your most important qualifications, and that you are interested in the job.
- Second paragraph:
- Go through the job qualifications and show (don't tell) how you have all of the qualifications. Demonstrate that you are well-qualified for the job. It is about what you can do for the employer.
- Avoid negative statements. Instead of saying “Although I have never captured bats before, I am willing to learn”, say “I am looking forward to applying what I know about capturing birds and rodents to capturing bats”.
- Third paragraph:
- Explain in a meaningful way why you want the job in terms of your career goals. Bring in information about the job and the organization and explain how it fits with your interests.
- Last paragraph:
- Deal with logistics that are pertinent to the job and wrap up the letter on a positive note while thanking the reader.