Recruitment process
You've learned a lot about us...now we'd like to learn about you.
This is not the time to be modest. Let us know what you'll bring to our table. Here are some tips that will help you stand out during the application and hiring process.
Preparing your resume
You have precious little time to catch a recruiter's eye. Create an impressive first impression by making sure your resume is as effective as possible. Here are a few pointers to help get you on the recruiter's short list:
- Emphasize what you have done, not what you want to do.
- Find experiences in your life that can demonstrate the behaviors that are highlighted in a job description.
- Feature your contact information: name, address, phone and email. Make sure your voicemail and answering machines have clear messages.
- Make pertinent information easy to find: education, professional experience, leadership roles, team participation, volunteer experience.
- Be honest about your experiences.
- Format your resume so it's readable, concise and in a recognizable font.
- Don't be too lengthy. One page is preferable, but two can be acceptable depending on experience level.
- Use descriptive verbs to present your experiences.
- Be specific and have quantitative data to support your statements.
- Title your sections: Education, Work Experience, Skill Sets, Activities/Achievements.
- Keep your Objective short, sweet and to the point.
What to Avoid
- Being wordy. Use short sentences. Treat your resume like an advertisement and use phrases.
- Excessive use of borders, italics, fancy fonts. They do not upload cleanly into online systems.
- Using small fonts. Stick to 10-12 point.
- Bolding too much. Focus on bolding only major achievements.
Submitting your resume
You've selected a position to apply for. Now you're ready to submit your resume. The instructions within our Online Recruitment Center are very clear, but as a college student applying for a position, there are a few things to make note of when going through the submission process.
In order to apply, you'll need to create your profile. First you'll need to select an area of interest. You'll have the following choices, along with unique links to the open requisitions for each position.
In addition to filling out your personal information, be sure to select your University from the pull-down menu under "What prompted interest in a career with us?" For example, one of the selections may say, "University – Rutgers." From there, you can submit your resume. That's the final step in the application process.
Once you've created your profile, you'll receive a confirmation email and a login information email for your records. You can login anytime to apply for additional positions and update your personal information (such as your contact information, employment history, etc.).
AstraZeneca is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to apply through AstraZeneca's online process, please contact us at 1-800-456-3669 ext. 62200 to request an accommodation. Please note: AstraZeneca cannot provide status updates on existing applications through this number. Calls requesting status updates will not be returned.
Application hints and tips
Set yourself apart from other candidates. Let your skills, personality and experience shine through.
Like most employers, we receive a large volume of applications. Filling out one that attracts attention and helps you stand out from your competition takes careful reflection on your skills and how they match the role you're pursuing. Your Careers Service, local library and most bookstores can be excellent resources for help and advice. When applying to AstraZeneca, here are some common sense points to consider:
- Make sure you answer each question fully and properly. Your objective is to ensure that you have presented clear evidence that you possess all the qualities and skills that we require.
- Sell yourself, but make sure your arguments are relevant, focused and truthful.
- Think of the person reviewing your application. Chunk sections into shorter paragraphs. Start with your headline response, and then develop the details of your answer.
- We are interested in what you've done, but we are even more interested in what you have achieved or learned from the experience.
- Write in rough first, reflect and re-write before completing detailed questions online.
- Grammar and spell-check, and get someone to proof read your application.
- Print a copy of your application; you might need to refer to it later.
Interview Preparation
Your resume got you through the door. Now the challenge is to build on that first great impression. Here are some things to keep in mind before, during and after the interview.
Before
- Learn about our company and the position. Do your homework before the interview starts so that you know what kinds of questions to ask and what type of position you're interviewing for. Review the job description, research our company, and learn about our business.
- Get yourself ready. Gather your resume (make sure it's up to date and you're familiar with what's on it), a list of questions you've prepared, your list of references (make sure you ask their permission beforehand), transcripts, letters of recommendation and anything else you might need before you go so you're ready when you arrive.
- Be prepared. Think of good examples to demonstrate your capabilities.
- Be professional. Get rid of corny outgoing voicemail announcements and email addresses, and dress professionally and conservatively.
- Make a strong impression. Arrive early. Introduce yourself to each person you meet. Consider the moment you step out of your car in the parking lot the beginning of your interview and be professional from that moment on.
- Turn off electronics before you leave your car.
- Confirm the date, time and specific location of your interview.
- Get plenty of rest.
During
- Sit up straight and make eye contact. Ask for the interviewer's name and call them by it during the interview. It shows you're paying attention. Smile – be pleasant.
- Speak clearly and confidently.
- Talk about your strengths, but avoid being arrogant. Don't be afraid to ask to give a different answer or example if you think you answered a question badly.
- Pause before answering so you can provide a concise and appropriate example. If you need to, ask for clarification before answering.
- Never use slang or curse.
- Be positive and enthusiastic, but not hyper.
- Listen. Be attentive to what your interviewer is telling and asking you. In addition to enabling you to best represent yourself, you'll also learn more about our organization and its people and find out if this is the place for you.
- Be relaxed. Don't focus on your notes – focus on the conversation you're having.
- Let the interviewer know you're interested and discuss next steps. Sell yourself! Ask for the job. Ask for a timeline about when the decision will be made.
After
- Write thank you notes to the people you met. Not only is it polite, but it will keep you top of mind as they make their decisions. Highlight at least one thing you learned about the job from the interviewer. Regular mail is preferred – email appears too convenient and not as sincere.
- Reflect upon your experience. Write down things that went well and what needs to be improved on your part, as well as your impressions of our company and the people you met.
- Write down the questions you were asked. It will help you prepare for future interviews.
- Advise the prospective employer if any of your contact information changes.
- Consider next steps and prepare for a follow-up interview or offer negotiation.
