Nonetheless, Ruis can play a key role in determining whether a chemist gets a chance to interview for a job analyzing a substance that Ruis might not even be able to spell. He scours through reams of resumes, looking for a "buzzword" or the name of a particular instrumentation technique that matches the staffing needs of a client.
This approach to reviewing resumes, which may seem haphazard to job candidates, isn't limited to the initial screener. The scientific job market is so competitive now that even lab supervisors, inundated with hundreds of resumes for a single position, might dismiss a candidate after a few seconds if the resume doesn't pass muster.
That's why scientists in all fields must look at their resumes with detachment. Human-resources experts advise job-seekers to keep in mind how the document is being evaluated by firms.
The likelihood is that a scientist will need a resume ...
