Biotechnologist skills for your resume and career

I cannot state the importance of communication enough. I believe the soft skills that we think of today, such as public speaking and professional writing, are all housed under the umbrella of superior communication skills. If an applicant is a great writer, it will come across in the resume. If an applicant is better at speaking than writing, ask a friend, colleague, or, even better, their College/University alumni association to proofread their resume to make it to the in-person interview where they can showcase their public speaking talents. The other soft skill that I feel is often overlooked is problem-solving and critical thinking. Suppose an employee is always thinking about the next step. In that case, whether it be how to solve a problem or how to anticipate the client's request, this sheds the employee and ultimately the company in a great light and will surely pay dividends for the employee. The advantage of the trained biotechnologist is that they are inherently better at this than most other individuals. Biotechnologists are trained to be problem solvers!

From my perspective, the technical skills that are frequently noticed are individuals with training in specific techniques such as gene editing (think CRISPR), vaccine development, tissue engineering, fermentation/bioprocessing skills, and broad knowledge of immunology. While these are a list of varied topics, the biotechnology sector itself is broad and varied, and therefore students or employees seeking to enter the discipline should consider taking courses in these areas or seeking professional advancement in one of the many opportunities that are available within this sector.

Do your homework. What is the track record for training and advancement of the company in which you seek to work?

The skills that students should have as they graduate fall into two major categories: the technical skills and the interpersonal “professional” skills (often referred to as “soft” skills). The technical skills include scientific knowledge and laboratory practices, such as aseptic technique, pipetting, proper recording keeping, and so forth. An important technical skill is also following the established protocols and procedures without deviation. Those are skills many graduates gain through their coursework, independent research, and/or internship opportunities. Some advanced laboratory skills acquired (for example, hands-on experience with flow cytometry, electron microscopy, etc.) may be a requirement for certain roles, and that experience can make candidates stand out, but are not essential for every role as you are entering the field.

The second category, the interpersonal “professional” skills, are just as (or, arguably, more) important than the technical skills. Communication is at the forefront of these skills – being able to collaborate clearly and effectively with others, to problem solve individually and as part of a team, and to engage in purposeful and respectful interpersonal interactions. A person can have all of the technical skills needed but may struggle in the role if they cannot effectively communicate and interact with their colleagues.

The working environment, by its very nature, requires communication and collaboration for success. These communication skills can include things like writing an appropriate email, using active listening and having meaningful dialogues with colleagues, and receiving and processing constructive criticism. Problem solving and creativity are also skills that fall into this category – you have to have the initiative to seek the answers and address issues; at the same time, you also need to recognize when to ask for help and seek that assistance. Lastly, time management, being flexible to situations, and a willingness to work hard are the bedrock of the skills that will be expected for a professional in biotechnology (or any field, for that matter). A 2019 article in Scientific American by Karla Talanian from the Massachusetts Biotechnology Foundation (MassBioEd) highlights more of the “soft skills” that biotechnology companies and laboratories are looking for in their new hires and employees.