Clinical Research Resumes
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It is quite unfortunate that today's typical professional does not know how to build an effective resume that will maximize the probability of being considered for a lucrative position. Much of the problem may not be the fault of the individual. The standard resume tries to blankly sell the professional as an individual, when in reality the most effective approach is to effectively mold the potential applicant to the needs of the position. This realization comes from the analysis of what is considered the gold standard for resume writing and is especially important when applying for a position in the clinical research field. Clinical research jobs are about fulfilling a niche within the industry. This niche is ideal for the clinical professional who has a sharp sense of judgment and time constraints. As such, to be the most attractive applicant for a position in clinical research, your resume needs to reflect overwhelming professionalism while not being overly wordy.
''Qualification'' has come to be synonymous with a laundry list of accolades and work experience. While these may give an air of general qualification for a particular field, such a list does not fulfill the requirements of the maximally effective resume. The maximally effective resume will not only show relevant work experience, study, and accolades, but will apply these to the specific position being sought. ''Qualification'' in this sense means the precise needs for the position and how and why the applicant is guaranteed to fulfill these needs better than anyone else. In other words, the resume needs to show that the applicant can be effective in the position being sought, and not be a general espousing the general worth of the applicant.
Position-oriented resumes can be explained through the use of a metaphor. Imagine you are a logger and you are in need of woodsmen to cut down a plot of trees. The classical theory of resume writing would have potential applicants listing where they learned to cut wood and how many different woodlands they have cut before. The position-oriented resume, on the other hand, will not only list what wood has been cut by the applicant, and where he learned to cut wood, but will also explain why this applicant will clear the plot of land more efficiently than other applicants. While the others may sell themselves as worthy woodsmen, the applicant who uses the position-based approach will attract the employer because the employer is in need of someone who knows the specific needs of the task at hand and how to fulfill those needs.
The efficacy of this approach lies in the fact that the average employer has to sift through a number of applicants and guess which one will be the best fit for the job. While a classic resume does give the employer a general idea of the experience and education of a given applicant, it does not tell him the applicable skills a prospective employee will bring to the job. The position-oriented resume, in contrast, will stand out to an employer, because when you apply your skills and experience to the precise position the employer is looking to fill, you speak directly to the employer’s mind. Imagine what it will mean to an employer looking for a clinical research assistant when he or she reads a resume that states precisely what the employer is looking for and why the applicant will be extremely effective in the role. This is almost guaranteed to get the applicant an interview, if not the job itself!
Applying your specific experience and accolades to a clinical research position you are interested in is a must, though you must also keep in mind that proper presentation is also a must. While a position-oriented resume will give you an edge over the competition, it still needs to list the classical accolades and relevant work experience in the most eloquent and professional way possible. Since clinical research requires a lot of report writing and taking careful records, the resume for a prospective employee in the clinical research field should reflect an above average level of presentation. Making your resume clear, concise, absolutely error- and typo-free, and grammatically correct is crucial. It is even more crucial in a field like clinical research, where record taking is part of the job itself.
A final consideration that you must take into account is the gathering of information. The more information you have about the position which you are applying for, the more effectively you can make a position-oriented resume. Since you will be reiterating precisely why you will fill the position in the most ideal way possible, it is crucial that you know precisely what the employer’s ideal is. This can be achieved by calling the prospective employer and simply inquiring about the different positions available and what exactly they require. Always keep in mind that proper presentation and communication is a must.
When writing a resume for a position in clinical research, attention to detail and proper presentation techniques go a long way towards making your resume more attractive than the rest. A good position-oriented approach will pay dividends in job opportunities and employment prospects.
