How to Write a CV for A Pharmaceutical Company
Want to work in Ireland’s booming Pharma sector? Read below for a step-by-step guide on how to write a CV for a pharmaceutical company.
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An Overview of the Irish Pharmaceutical Sector
Over the decades, Ireland has established itself as a leading global hub for pharmaceutical companies. Today, nine of the world’s top ten pharma companies have operations here. Ireland is the largest net exporter of pharmaceuticals in the European Union and the fifth largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally.
The pharmaceutical sector is one of the top employers in Ireland. It currently employs approximately 25,000 people directly and a further 25,000 indirectly. It is a source of high-quality jobs, as over 65% of those employed in the industry have a third-level qualification. In the past year, there were many positive jobs announcements from major players in the industry including Pfizer, Wuxi, Gilead and more.
Throughout the global pandemic, the Irish pharma sector has shown great resilience. In 2020, exports from the medical and pharmaceutical sectors increased 25% to a record-high of €62 billion. Exports from Ireland’s robust life sciences industry was cited by the EU Commission as one of the primary reasons why the Irish economy was the only European economy to grow in 2020.
How to Write a CV for A Pharmaceutical Company: A Step-By-Step Guide
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Rather than titling your CV “Curriculum Vitae”, we advise using your full name instead. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, the person reading the document is already aware that it is a CV. Secondly, putting your name in big, bold writing will help them to remember you.
Personal Details
This section is pretty standard across industries. You will need to include your name, your phone number, and your email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile, then we also recommend inserting the URL. If you are applying for a role at a nearby facility, then you may want to include your home address to illustrate your proximity otherwise you can leave this detail out.
Personal Statement (Optional)
Adding a personal statement to our CV is becoming more and more popular these days. A personal statement is a brief summation of your career goals and the value you could bring to the organisation. Keep this section brief (1-2 lines max) and use an impartial, third-person voice.
This section allows employers to quickly determine if you are a good fit for the role. It also allows you to “hack” AI-based systems by offering you a chance to mention important keywords early on in the document.
“Diligent, detail-orientated Quality Assurance Manager with 8+ years of experience creating standards and procedures, producing regular compliance reports and identifying training needs.”
“Highly motivated Chemistry graduate with strong organisation and teamwork skills. Keen to apply the skills developed at university in a working laboratory.”
“Experienced Qualified Person (QP) with a strong background in enhancing Quality Systems. Highly proficient in managing teams with excellent interpersonal skills attributed to diverse employment settings.”
Education & Qualifications
The order in which you present your education and employment history sections will depend on your experience level. Recent graduates should place the education section first, whereas more experienced candidates can put it under their work employment section.
List each qualification you have achieved, starting from the highest attained and working downwards. This section should include essential details about your education, including:
- The name of the programme
- The type of qualification achieved
- Your final grade
- Date completed
If you’re a seasoned professional, then you don’t need to go into much more detail than this. However, newly-minted graduates should provide more information, such as:
- Relevant modules completed
- Work placements
- Experience working with relevant programmes or processes
- Relevant awards, achievements & extra-curricular activities
- Any published work
Work Experience
The majority of pharmaceutical and life sciences companies prefer candidates who have experience in similar roles and who can hit the ground running. As such, it’s a good idea to tailor your employment history section to highlight the aspects of your experience that most closely align with the job description.
In terms of presenting your experience, list your previous positions in reverse-chronological order (ie. start with your most recent experiences and work backwards). Under each title, use bullet points to outline your responsibilities and achievements. Start each point with an action word to achieve a specific and confident tone of voice.
Key Tips for Pharmaceutical CVs:
- Highlight each life science environment you have worked in across e.g. Pharmaceuticals, Biologics, API, Medical Device etc.
- Detail your experience with different processes and departments e.g. Upstream, Downstream, Drug Substance, Drug Product, Aseptic etc.
- Clearly acknowledge your level of expertise and highlight where you could step into a subject matter expert (SME) position.
- Emphasise each system you have worked with e.g. automation, lab systems, data integrity etc.
- List all testing techniques with which you have experience e.g. HPLC, ELISA, FTIR.
Skills
When it comes to learning how to write a CV when applying to work with a pharmaceutical company, getting the skills section right is key. The aim of the skills section is to let a hiring manager know at first glance whether you have the skills required to perform the role effectively. The order in which you present your skills is important so start your list with any technical skills mentioned in the job description. Then you can cite any ancillary skills that you have. Don’t forget to include soft skills (e.g. teamwork, leadership, communication etc.) Ensure that your experience section clearly shows how you demonstrated these skills in your previous positions.
Hobbies & Interests
It’s a good idea to include a hobbies and interests section to show that you are a well-rounded person. What’s more, an interesting and unique hobbies and interests section can help you to stand out from the crowd. It also gives the hiring manager an insight into your personality and who you are as a person. This information helps the hiring manager to gauge if you will be a good cultural fit in the organisation.
References
Include a list of references at the end of your CV. These can be previous managers, ex-colleagues, university professors/ lecturers, or your manager from any university work placements. Remember to always ask permission before citing someone as a referee. Be sure to include their full name, job title, contact details and a brief explanation of your relationship. Aim to have a minimum of two or three references on your CV.
More Tips for Writing Pharmaceutical CVs
Create a Customisable CV Template
Before applying for any roles, you should develop a CV template that you can use as a base going forward. Invest plenty of time in this and take care to ensure that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. This will save you time down the road, as you can simply tailor this template for each role that you apply for.
Tailor Your CV to the Job
Customise your CV template to demonstrate how you are a perfect match for the role. To do this, you will first need to read the job description and then research the company’s culture and values. Edit your education/qualifications, experience and skills section to show how your skills, achievements and knowledge align with the company’s needs. By doing this, you will show an attention to detail that is sure to impress many employers.
Start with the Job Description
When preparing your CV, always start the process by inspecting the job description. Take note of any keywords (e.g. skills, qualifications, qualities) and think about how you can best incorporate these into your CV.
But, don’t stop there, consider additional keywords that may complement these. For example, if the job description cites “teamwork” as a valuable skill then you may also want to highlight your communication skills. Make a list of your primary and secondary keywords for reference.
Research the Organisation
Once you have covered the job description, you should move on to learning more about the company. You should first develop a grasp of their work. Then you can learn more about their unique work culture, ethos and values. You can get this information by visiting their website, checking out their social media, reaching out to an inside contact, or by calling up your recruiter.
Optimise Your CV for AI
Many large organisations now use intelligent technologies such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or smart search tools as part of their hiring process. As an applicant, you can give yourself an advantage by learning how to optimise your CV for AI.
To get you started, here are three ways you can optimise your CV for AI:
- Identify important keywords and pepper them throughout the document.
- Use an AI-friendly file format such as .doc.
- Avoid using elements that AI struggles to parse such as tables, images, and decorative fonts.
Quantify Your Achievements
Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in former jobs, include quantifiable data that show examples of your achievements e.g.
- 20% increase in efficiency
- 12% reduction in costs
- Delivered over 30,000 units on-brief and within the deadline
Want to Work in Pharma? Talk to Our Consultants Today!
If you are looking for a new career opportunity in Ireland’s pharma space, why not book a free consultation with one of Berkley’s recruitment consultants. Our Life Science & Engineering team is made up of consultants with deep industry insight who can advise on the most suitable career moves for you. They can walk you through how to write a CV for a pharmaceutical company and provide valuable insights on interviewing skills. Alternatively, why not take advantage of Berkley’s extensive library of Life Science & Engineering CV Templates?