Cover Story
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November 6, 2006 - Volume 84, Number 45
Employment Outlook
Strategies From Hiring Professionals
Corinne A. Marasco
C&EN asked company recruiters what advice they could offer to new graduates seeking jobs and how job seekers can distinguish themselves to recruiters. Here's some of that advice:
Danya Goerig, Chevron Phillips Chemical: "Research companies beforehand and ask informed questions when visiting company representatives at career fairs or in campus interviews. Get to know the personality of the company by meeting as many individuals as possible to see if they will feel comfortable working there. Also, students should take advantage of any campus career center services to help build their interviewing skills."
Susan Knox Wilson, BP America: "Learn all you can about a company, such as through an internship or co-op. Don't wait until May to locate an internship???do it now. Schools do a very good job of promoting career days and putting on career fairs."
William F. Carroll, Occidental Chemical: "Students who are flexible and willing to relocate should emphasize this when talking to recruiters."
Brian Bronk, Pfizer: "Everything starts with a strong background in research. From there, we look for individuals with diverse backgrounds who bring strong communication, innovation, leadership, and teamwork skills."
Ray D'Alonzo, Procter & Gamble: "Prepare a concise, relevant r??sum?? that focuses on accomplishments, particularly outside the university, such as publications and presentations at meetings. Don't overembellish it. Candidate résumés should be focused, targeted, and relevant to the company they're applying to."
Jennifer Petoff, Rohm and Haas: "We look for open-minded scientists, people who want to branch out into areas they haven't thought about before. Don't rely solely on technical ability and showcase those 'soft skills.' People with volunteer experience, for example, show initiative and a willingness to take on responsibility."
Cover Story
- Employment Looks A Little Better
- The economy shows signs of slowing, but firms may be hiring more chemists, engineers
- Demand
- Chemists and chemical engineers may find more opportunities this year.
- Strategies From Hiring Professionals
- Salaries And Jobs
- Unemployment is down a little from last year, and salaries are making modest gains.
- Generation X
- Chemists interviewed in 1995 tell C&EN how their careers have developed.
- Entrepreneurs
- Chemists who start their own companies find satisfaction in being their own bosses.
- Educating Entrepreneurs
- Patent Law
- Strong scientific credentials coupled with a law degree are the tools needed for this growing profession.
Cover Story
- Employment Looks A Little Better
- The economy shows signs of slowing, but firms may be hiring more chemists, engineers
- Demand
- Chemists and chemical engineers may find more opportunities this year.
- Strategies From Hiring Professionals
- Salaries And Jobs
- Unemployment is down a little from last year, and salaries are making modest gains.
- Generation X
- Chemists interviewed in 1995 tell C&EN how their careers have developed.
- Entrepreneurs
- Chemists who start their own companies find satisfaction in being their own bosses.
- Educating Entrepreneurs
- Patent Law
- Strong scientific credentials coupled with a law degree are the tools needed for this growing profession.
Related Stories
- » Class Of 2005 Salaries & Jobs
- C&EN, August 7, 2006
- » A New Opportunity For Graduate Students
- C&EN, March 27, 2006
- » Opportunities For B.S. and M.S. Chemists
- C&EN, January 2, 2006