I'm a chemistry major graduate with no industrial experiences.?

Question

what are some good ways to write a CV to attract employers seeking organic/analytical chemists?
every chemical companies i have encountered are looking for chemists with EXPERIENCES. Are there any good chemistry graduate recruiting websites out there?
Thank u for ur time and consideration of my question!:)

Answer 1

I think the other advice is very good so I only want to add to what they have said. First of all, even though everyone everywhere prefers someone who can do the job they need to fill, at some point the people in all of those positions, they too were inexperienced. However, you should think from the perspective of the person doing the hiring. What do they want (beside experience)? They want someone that can do the job. Here, jargon is a double edged sword. Those with experience can use jargon to show they can do the job. However, jargon is only jargon, anyone can learn it. Can you convince someone you can to the job you are applying for?

Secondly, you do have experience, maybe not the same amount. When you contact someone, what do they want? Do you already have the skills? If you do, you should tell them you do. I find this is something you can work with. You need to know something about the hiring company. What do they want? Don't send a general CV hoping for the best. You can do a little research about the company, what do they do, what skills do they seek, do you have them?

Let us suppose your school had a project on using HPLC to analyze some material and this analysis was designed to be a problem that might be quite like the problems any industrial company might encounter because your instructor worked in a similar industry. If your prospective company was looking for an HPLC analyst, you could describe how or why your HPLC experience could help them with their project. Similarly, if they are looking for an NMR analyst, do not tell them about your HPLC experience. It is like telling them, "I didn't even bother to read your ad." That is a killer.

The more effectively you can convince them you can contribute to the objectives of the company, the better your chances of getting an interview or hired. Sometimes these things are pitifully obvious. Some companies state their chemistry businesses on their web pages. Read it and don't be obtuse. If they specialize in GC or GC MS, address their needs, do not use a formulaic CV and cover letter ("I am seeking a rewarding position in ..."). In my cover letter I might be more inclined to say, "My favorite project on CH 505 was doing the GC analysis of xxx. I got an A on that project and I would relish the chance to continue to use those skills to develop new (their product type)."

I would even go so far as to be corny in my cover letter to a company I really wanted to work for. If I always wanted to work for them for some specific reason, I'd put it in. "My father worked for your company and because of his experience and how well XYZ treated their employees, I went to college to gain the skills so I could contribute to XYZ." Because this is corny, do not put it in if it isn't true. But if there is some reason that you have for really wanting to work for XYZ, you might use it. There is a subtlety to using this gratuitous pandering. If you appear false and pretentious, don't do it because it will paint you as false and pandering. If it is genuine, it doesn't hurt to flatter your prospective employer. You can only have one or two letters that you can use this or you truly are false and pretentious.

Answer 2

The American Chemical Society will hold a national meeting in New Orleans, April 6-10, 2008. Registration starts Jan. 7. Make the investment to go there and register for the job fair. Companies will be interviewing there, and you can sign up for appointments.

If you're not already a member, join ACS. One of the benefits is a weekly news magazine, Chemical & Engineering News. In the back there are classified ads for jobs. As an unemployed member, you can place classified ads about yourself at low or no cost.

Also as a member, you can go on-line to the ACS site, where there is a round-the-clock job fair. As a matter of fact, ACS people are a little worried that the on-line site might take business away from C&ENews.

Find out where your local ACS section is and try to get to monthly evening meetings. Meet industrial chemists there and ask about opportunities at their companies. They'll have a social hour, dinner, and a speaker

Answer 3

One way to pick up (small amounts) of industrial experience is volunteering for an internship with the (kind of) company you are interested in. Hands on experience in the company will count omething when applying.