Travis Medley

We have discussed the importance of thank you emails and thank you cards ad nauseum. If you have read this blog more than three or four times, you have undoubtedly heard each of us espouse the importance of the follow-up thank you. As a result, we have received inquiries directly from our readers asking for…

Often, when we interview, our primary concern is explaining the variety of ways that we can benefit the organization. Unfortunately this often results in the interviewer talking incessantly about themselves and it can be perceived poorly. Additionally, if you keep talking about yourself, you may make yourself out to be a generalist (someone who is…

Over the past decade, resumes have played a increasingly important role in the hiring process, even though companies insist they hire people, not resumes). The problem has only been exacerbated by the current economic condition, though it is improving. The new role of the resume has caused job seekers to have to make significant changes to…

You applied to a position and have run the interview gamut – you’ve had an initial phone screen, a follow-up phone screen, an initial in-person interview, a follow-up in-person interview, and a final interview – Phew! You’ve talked about your career, your ambitions, your salary requirements and your future. You love them and they love…

If you are looking for a new job, it probably feels like full-time work right now. The number of positions is low and the number of calls and emails you are receiving regarding your resume are probably less than you would like. So it is more important than ever to take control and maximize every…

We recently attended a meeting for job seekers in the biotech industry during which a panel of senior Human Resources professionals answered questions and provided insight for people looking to find work within biotech. The points that they shared were not all that different from what we have discussed in previous blogs, but I think…

We all know how important image is to a job search. It’s crucial. This is why we wear a nice suit and print our resumes on thick paper. It’s all about image. And yet, sometimes job seekers fail to remember the image that they are presenting on the internet. Be careful about what you Tweet!…

Being in the recruiting business, we make a lot of calls to candidates each day. And you would be surprised how many job seekers have put a lot of thought into their resume, but fail to follow through by ensuring a professional phone experience. Remember that when a hiring manager calls you, it is your…

A major hurdle to getting an industry job in a new country is that many companies will only interview local candidates. Many job seekers think that if they are willing to pay to move themselves, this ceases to be a hurdle but, unfortunately, this is not true. Even if you are willing to pay their…

Not a day goes by (and we’re now at about day 400 of “these” days) that we do not hear from candidates about how frustrated they are with their job search. It doesn’t matter if you have just graduated or have 20 years of industry experience; it’s a rough market out there. What is absolutely…

Now that you’ve aced your phone interview and your in-person interview, it’s time to negotiate your salary! Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. Here’s my advice. First things first. Be sure you remember what you have already communicated about your salary; consistency is key. If you are working with a recruiter, be sure they…

If you mastered my ‘Nailing Your Phone Interview” tips, you will, of course, now be preparing for your face-to-face interview. So you will be glad to know that I have some killer tips for that too! Often, it’s the subtle nuances and attention to detail will make the choice clear for a hiring manager. So…

The past five years has seen the “phone screen”, where employers interview a large number of candidates over the phone then choose who they’d like to invite for a face-to-face, become an often-used tool. This is unfortunate because it only allows the candidate a short period of time to convey their skills and strengths and,…

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. There is a lot of truth in this old adage and it is especially true for job hunting. Previously, we discussed the importance of the impression your resume leaves on the reader but when you are selected to meet with a company in person,…

When you are searching for a job, sitting at home mailing out resume after resume might work. But if you get everyone in your village out on the hunt for you your chances of success are greatly increased. Your village is everyone you are connected to in your industry. People love to help others in…

If you are frustrated with applying to job after job with no response, you probably wonder where your resume ends up after you click “submit” on a job board or a company’s web site. You know it lands in a pile with everyone else’s pile, and you have to make your resume impress the right…

Vijay, a Bitesize Bio reader with an eclectic array of degrees and diplomas contacted us for advice on his career options: I have 3 diplomas in Fashion Designing, an undergraduate degree in Medicine and a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. I need some career advice. This situation will be familiar to…

Q: Is there a place for a recruiter in your job search strategy? A: A huge, underscored, emphatic YES Recruiters should have a prominent place in anyone’s career decisions. They are, after all, professional networkers whose job it is to make the “match” between company and candidate. They know the lay of the land and…

Now that you know who you are trying to impress with your resume, it’s time to focus on how it looks and reads. Remember,.this is NOT the venue to display your creativity. They key is to keep it simple and clear. Follow a simple format that is easy to read – remember that your audience…

Everyone knows that today’s job market is challenging. While there are fewer jobs, and stiff competition from other job-seekers, opportunity is still out there. My name is Travis Medley, President of Simply Biotech, a San Diego County-based recruitment and staffing company specializing in the biotech industry. Over the coming weeks I will be providing you…