Blog post

What Biotech Recruiters Actually Look For (and How to Make Your Resume Stand Out)

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BG

What Biotech Recruiters Really Look For

1. Results, Not Just Responsibilities

What we want to see:

  • “Led a project that reduced assay time by 30%”
  • “Supported IND submission resulting in FDA clearance”

What we don’t want to see:

  • “Responsible for PCR and ELISA experiments”
2. Function-Specific Keywords

We search for keywords, not just titles.
For example:

  • Regulatory: IND, CTA, labeling, FDA, EMA
  • Clinical: GCP, site management, trial startup
  • R&D: assay development, transfection, flow cytometry

Pro tip: Use the language from actual job descriptions to tailor your resume.

3. Clarity on Level & Impact

Make it easy to understand your:

  • Seniority (entry, mid, lead?)
  • Scope (managing people? projects?)
  • Domain expertise (therapeutic area, modality?)
4. Career Progression

We look for upward movement—either in responsibility, title, or scope.

Even if you're early in your career, show growth:

  • From intern to RA
  • From academic project to independent scientist
  • From individual contributor to mentor or team lead

Common Resume Mistakes We See (and How to Fix Them)

❌ 3+ page academic CVs

✅ Convert to a clean, 1–2 page industry resume

❌ Listing techniques with no context

✅ Show how you applied them and why they mattered

❌ Typos or formatting inconsistencies

✅ Attention to detail is crucial in biotech

What About LinkedIn?

Your profile should mirror your resume, but also include:

  • A clear headline (e.g., "Scientist – Cell Therapy | Immuno-oncology")
  • A short summary with keywords
  • Skills endorsements in relevant areas

Open-to-work settings (we do check them!)

How Bioscaley Helps Candidates Stand Out

We don’t just match resumes to job titles—we match talent to mission-critical roles. And we help our candidates:

  • Refine resumes for industry relevance
  • Translate academic work into recruiter-friendly language
  • Position for growth within and across biotech sectors

Want a biotech recruiter to actually notice your resume? We’ve got your back.

👉 Upload your resume and get feedback from our team
💡 Tip: Thinking about transitioning from academia to industry in biotech? Learn how to transition from Academia to Industry in Biotech.

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