Biotech Career Coach

Most biotech professionals dread networking because it feels like cold calling, pushy, or inauthentic. If you've ever avoided reaching out because you didn't want to seem transactional or you felt stuck not knowing how to start a conversation, this episode is for you. Carina breaks down a strategic, human-centered approach to networking that leverages your natural curiosity as a scientist and turns it into your biggest career asset. You'll learn how to reconnect with former colleagues, build targeted networks within companies you want to work for, lead coffee chats that feel comfortable and genuine, and maintain momentum without burning out. Whether you're an introvert who freezes at networking events or someone who's been asking for jobs instead of building relationships, this episode will shift your mindset and give you scripts, strategies, and actionable steps to build a network that works for you long before you need it. Plus, Carina shares insider tips on volunteering, referrals, and how to follow up without feeling awkward. Ready to make networking less scary and way more effective? Join our free Biotech Career Coach Skool community for all the scripts, templates, and peer support to put these strategies into action.Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources:Join our Skool CommunityTake the Free 7-day Interview Sprint ChallengeCheck out our sister podcast: Building BiotechsSend Carina a connection request on LinkedIn!Stay connected with us:🌐 Website📱 Facebook📷 Instagram💼 LinkedIn00:00 Why biotech networking feels like cold calling and how to reframe it01:00 Networking for biotech professionals is a long game strategy03:00 Stop asking for jobs through networking and build relationships instead04:30 Leverage your curiosity as your biotech networking superpower05:30 LinkedIn networking strategy for reconnecting with former colleagues07:30 The virtual coffee networking offer that opens doors08:30 How to grow your biotech network through warm introductions09:00 Company targeted LinkedIn networking for biotech job seekers11:00 The LinkedIn networking script for reaching out to biotech professionals13:00 Turning networking coffee chats into job referrals14:00 Biotech networking through volunteering for introverts15:30 Networking coffee chats and the 80/20 rule for success16:30 LinkedIn networking questions to prepare before your coffee chat18:00 Following up on LinkedIn networking without being pushy18:30 Daily networking habits that build your biotech career network

Overthinking shows up as research without drafts, resumes that never get sent, and weeks of “planning” with nothing shipped. In this episode, I map out concrete ways to move from thinking to doing without burning out. We walk through fear types (failure, rejection, judgment, and even success) and simple reframes that keep you moving. You’ll learn how to turn rejection into useful data, set one clear priority each day, and use time blocks and short deadlines so work actually leaves your laptop. We also cover how to pace growth so a bigger role feels sustainable, not scary, and how to build lightweight systems and feedback loops so you improve with every rep. If you’re applying, aiming for promotion, or restarting after a stall, you’ll leave with a clear way to pick an action, ship it within 24 hours, and review what happened. No pep talks, just steps. Join our Free Biotech Career Coach Skool community for accountability, feedback, and tools to put this into practice.Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources:Join our Skool CommunityTake the Free 7-day Interview Sprint ChallengeCheck out our sister podcast: Building BiotechsSend Carina a connection request on LinkedIn!Stay connected with us:🌐 Website📱 Facebook📷 Instagram💼 LinkedIn00:00 What overthinking looks like in real life (and what it costs)01:00 The overthinking tax with concrete job-search and BD examples03:00 Spotting the pattern: hedging, silence, and drafts that never ship06:30 Naming the fear: failure, rejection, judgment, success08:30 Treat rejection as signal: raise sample size and iterate10:30 Shrink the audience: optimize for three people who actually matter12:00 Make success sustainable: pace growth and ask for support18:30 Perfectionism in practice: time blocks, tight deadlines, accountability23:00 Missing reps: daily actions, lightweight systems, faster feedback26:00 The five-step exit loop: name it, detach, pick one, ship, review

AI is changing the hiring process, but not in the way most candidates fear. In this podcast episode, Carina breaks down how applicant tracking systems are actually using AI today, why automated resume “fit” scores are often inaccurate for scientific roles, and where simple automations still drive real decisions. You’ll learn what recruiters really do when hundreds of resumes flood in, how Boolean keyword searches work, and why tailoring your resume to the job description still matters more than any gimmick. We also cover the rise of AI-driven follow‑ups and asynchronous video interviews, how to handle bot‑like application forms, and practical ways to showcase transferable skills as a career changer. This is a candid, recruiter‑level view of the ATS, specific actions to improve your visibility, and a clear picture of what’s coming next in biotech hiring so you can apply with confidence.Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources:Join our Skool CommunityTake the Free 7-day Interview Sprint ChallengeCheck out our sister podcast: Building BiotechsSend Carina a connection request on LinkedIn!Stay connected with us:🌐 Website📱 Facebook📷 Instagram💼 LinkedIn00:00 Is AI reviewing your resume? What’s real vs hype01:00 ATS “AI” today: ranking and scoring… and why it’s often wrong for science02:15 Legal constraints: AI can’t make hiring decisions in many states03:00 Automations vs AI: knockout questions and policy filters05:30 How recruiters actually screen: Boolean keyword searches at scale06:45 Spotting bot‑driven applications and how to avoid looking like one08:00 AI chatbots for follow‑ups: adding context, not auto‑rejecting09:15 Asynchronous video interviews: why they’re growing and how to prep10:30 Career changers: use async formats to surface transferable skills11:05 Community invite and staying current on AI in recruiting

This week, Carina shows how to turn a short recruiter phone screen into a competitive advantage across the entire hiring process. Learn specific recruiter screen questions that uncover role must-haves, disqualifiers, and success criteria in the first 90 days, plus how to identify the tools, platforms, instrumentation, and assay techniques used by the team. Learn to gauge scope, autonomy, cross-functional collaboration, and culture signals without asking vague questions like “what’s the culture like?”, and use the responses to tailor your resume immediately with the right keywords, skills, and project language. Carina walks through a fast post-call workflow: capture tool names, assay types, team interfaces, and process timelines, then rewrite your highlights and bullet points using the company’s terminology to pass keyword screens and resonate with hiring managers. You’ll also get a concise thank‑you email structure that reinforces fit and provides your updated resume. Finally, Carina shares an advanced technique for using smart questions to surface your strongest story even if the interviewer doesn’t prompt it, so you can showcase your skills even if an interviewer doesn’t ask the right questions.Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources:Join our Skool CommunityTake the Free 7-day Interview Sprint ChallengeCheck out our sister podcast: Building BiotechsSend Carina a connection request on LinkedIn!Stay connected with us:🌐 Website📱 Facebook📷 Instagram💼 LinkedIn00:00 Why the recruiter screen matters more than you think01:00 Don’t monopolize the call. Aim for a real conversation02:05 Questions that reveal must-haves, disqualifiers, and keywords03:05 What does success in the first 90 days look like and how is it measured?04:05 Tools and techniques: ask specifics (platforms, instrumentation, assays) to show fluency05:00 Scope and independence: owning work vs. being a cog05:45 Team interfaces and workflows to expect, collaboration signals06:20 Understanding process and timeline. When to follow up07:05 Turn insights into resume updates with company language and ATS keywords08:00 Capture tool names, assay types, and lingo that signal fit09:00 Use AI notes or a prompt set to tailor your resume quickly10:30 Thank‑you email structure that reinforces fit and invites forwarding12:00 Avoid weak, generic questions candidates often ask13:00 Advanced technique: use questions to surface your strongest, relevant story15:00 Why guiding the conversation matters when interviewers miss key topics

We're revisiting a powerful episode from our earlier catalog because it's a good reminder as we move into the fall job-seeking season. We discuss whether your job search is on the right track by examining key metrics. I give a blueprint for a gold-standard job search, informed by a decade of experience and interviews with thousands of successful candidates in the biotech industry. We review metrics for networking, application-to-interview ratios, interview progression rates, and offer negotiation tactics. By the end of the episode, listeners will understand how to measure their job search effectiveness and address any bottlenecks in the process to achieve better outcomes.Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources:Join our Skool CommunityTake the Free 7-day Interview Sprint ChallengeCheck out our sister podcast: Building BiotechsSend Carina a connection request on LinkedIn!Stay connected with us:🌐 Website📱 Facebook📷 Instagram💼 LinkedIn00:00 Introduction: Is Your Job Search Going Well?00:49 Understanding the Job Search Funnel02:13 Networking: The Key to Job Search Success07:33 Applications: Maximizing Your Hit Rate11:06 Interviews: Advancing Through the Process13:27 Offers: Negotiating Your Worth16:57 Conclusion: Recap and Final Thoughts

This week, I participated in an American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) panel discussion with Brandon Miller on salary negotiations. We answered audience questions that explored creative strategies for successful negotiations, addressing topics such as counter offers, flexibility beyond base salary, and handling 'best offer' scenarios. We also discussed the importance of understanding the entire compensation package, including stock and equity considerations, as well as maintaining regular feedback with managers. Brandon and I both offered common negotiation mistakes and effective mindsets to adopt for a successful outcome. For more resources, join our community and access the full webinar on the AAPS website.American Association of Pharmaceutical ScientistsBrandon Miller | LinkedInLearn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources:Join our Skool CommunityTake the Free 7-day Interview Sprint ChallengeCheck out our sister podcast: Building BiotechsSend Carina a connection request on LinkedIn!Stay connected with us:🌐 Website📱 Facebook📷 Instagram💼 LinkedIn00:00 Introduction and Overview00:41 Panel Discussion Recap01:29 Creative Salary Negotiation Strategies01:56 Considering Work-Life Balance03:41 Handling Firm Offers05:41 Beyond Base Salary: Perks and Flexibility06:35 Salary Disclosure Tips08:14 Understanding Stock and Equity10:32 Negotiating Raises with Current Employers12:27 Common Mistakes in Salary Negotiations15:04 Mindset for Successful Negotiations16:35 Conclusion and Resources

Ready to make 2025 your most organized and productive year yet? In this episode, I'm sharing a powerful Notion template that transformed my own annual planning process. Whether you're a Notion newbie or a seasoned pro, you'll discover:• A step-by-step system for setting meaningful goals that align with your values• How to leverage AI prompts for deeper self-reflection and creative problem-solving• Practical strategies for turning big dreams into manageable quarterly milestones• A unique approach to accountability through "letters to your future self"• Smart automation tips using ChatGPT to streamline your planning processPlus, I'll show you exactly how to customize this template for your needs and maintain momentum through strategic check-ins with your manager. If traditional planning methods haven't worked for you, this AI-enhanced approach might be exactly what you need.Grab The Free Notion Template!Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources:Join our Skool CommunityTake the Free 7-day Interview Sprint ChallengeCheck out our sister podcast: Building BiotechsSend Carina a connection request on LinkedIn!Stay connected with us:🌐 Website📱 Facebook📷 Instagram💼 LinkedIn00:00 Introduction to the Notion Template01:17 Getting Started with the Template02:52 Navigating the Template and Resources04:53 Journaling for Annual and Quarterly Reflections11:00 Using AI for Enhanced Journaling16:05 Writing Letters to Your Future Self22:52 Goal Planning and Setting28:01 Setting Specific Goals28:11 Customizing Your Goal Template28:35 Defining Annual and Quarterly Goals30:36 Breaking Down Goals into Milestones32:01 Tracking Progress and Adjusting Plans32:35 Adding Personal Goals38:48 Weekly Check-ins and Manager Meetings43:58 Using Notion's Features and Automations48:33 Final Thoughts and Feedback