What are the pharma employers looking for on a CV?

The pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive and requires significant knowledge of medicine and medical devices. It’s an important industry that drives medical progress through the development of new medicines and equipment. Pharmaceutical companies play a crucial role in helping people and communities. That’s why employers will be looking for only the best pharmaceutical professionals. Therefore, you must know how to create a quality CV that stands out from the crowd. While there is a range of options for career development in the pharmaceutical industry, the first step is showcasing to employers why you’re the best candidate for new roles. Below, we discuss what pharmaceuticals are looking for on a CV.

Since a hiring manager’s decision on whether to take you to the next stage of the recruitment process is based on a document, it’s all the more important that your CV is concise and detailed, with your experience in reverse-chronological order. One of the most difficult parts of creating a CV is writing interesting descriptions of various jobs. Each description should thoroughly outline your pharmaceutical experience and they should each add their own unique value. After reading your work experience, an employer should have a strong understanding of your responsibilities, the skills you have developed and what you’ve achieved.

With the pharmaceutical sector being a highly demanding career, employers will want to get an understanding of a candidate’s long term goals and ambitions. That’s why it can be useful to include a summary of yourself at the beginning of your CV to show your personality. It’s an excellent way to show employers you’re serious about growing your career, however, make sure your personal statement is concise and easy to read. Above all, pharmaceutical employers will be looking for stand-out candidates, so an objective or personal statement gives you the opportunity to explain why you’re the best candidate.

When you describe your skills on your CV, it enables you to express your personality and character which will most certainly add value. It’s important to highlight your soft skills, such as interpersonal communication, ability to work in a team and problem-solving alongside technical skills. Employers will also be interested in volunteering, personal projects or any awards won. However, it’s still crucial that your CV is tailored to the requirements of the job specification.

Within the pharmaceutical industry, candidates are usually expected to be educated at degree level or have had training through ACPE-approved courses. Training provides you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to advance in the field, and employers will likely be more comfortable with candidates who have received formal training and can show examples of working on specific areas in pharmaceuticals. Therefore, list your qualifications on your CV, starting with the most relevant and you can offer a brief explanation of what you achieved and learned during your studies.