Blog for Manchester Metropolitan “Meet the STEM Employers”
Blog for Manchester Metropolitan “Meet the STEM Employers”
Navigating the Job Market Beyond LinkedIn and Indeed: For Recent / Soon-to-be Scientific Graduates
As a recent graduate, you’ve spent years honing your technical skills, learning complex concepts, and developing a deep understanding of your field. Now, the exciting next step is to dive into the job market—but how do you make that transition successfully?
Writing this in early 2025 it feels like the answer is LinkedIn and Indeed. These are often seen as the go-to platforms for job hunting, and for good reason they have proven valuable tools.
However, there are many more ways to find opportunities and stand out in the world of science. In fact, research shows that up to 70% of job moves come through networking and building connections—not just applying through online platforms.
Furthermore, for a first job move, chances are companies will be keen to recruit you directly (unless you are specialised in a hard to locate field). So much of the content on these above website can create a view that the market is a specialised and difficult to access place, when the opposite is true. It’s just the stuff that is posted online is by nature the complex hard-to-do things that require advertising outside of network, so spend enough time on these places and you’ll go crazy. Be proactive instead and take control of it all.
Here’s how you can go beyond the standard job boards and increase your chances of landing your dream role:
- Networking: Your Most Powerful Tool
Networking is the most effective strategy when it comes to finding your first job, yet many underestimate its value. Think of it this way—many positions, especially in fields like chemistry, are never even advertised publicly. Instead, companies often look for recommendations and referrals from within their network. The old route of the ‘person getting a job because their parent worked there’ can be replicated by building your professional connections in these same businesses. They don’t necessarily want to hire family member or friends-of-friends they just made themselves available. By networking you open the door to these same hidden opportunities.
Start by attending industry events, conferences, and webinars. These are excellent places to meet professionals already working in your field. For example ChemUK, Lab Innovations, Making Pharmaceuticals, Making Cosmetics all of these are free conferences in places like the NEC where you can literally walk round and talk to employers in person for the price of a train ticket. Engaging with people in these settings can help you learn about new job openings, industry trends, and potential career paths. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself, ask questions, and show genuine interest in their work. You never know where a casual conversation might lead. Also if you are really keen on specific companies, you can join things like their webinars. Many companies hold these with investors to update on progress and they are public events. Should you interview later you may wish to mention you were on these, you’ll stand out!
- Industry-Specific Groups and Associations
Another way to build meaningful connections is through professional associations related to chemistry. Very well know organizations like the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) provide valuable resources, including job boards, career development programs, and networking events tailored to those in the chemical sciences. However there are much smaller and, for my money, more ‘finger on the pulse’ organisations active in this region due to their local focus. Chemicals NorthWest, BioNow and NEPIC are three such industry associations.
Follow and consider becoming a member or active part of these organisations, again most of their work is free at point of use they have a few pay-to-be-there things going on but for the most part you cover the train fare and suddenly you’re in a room full of possible employers. They also have exclusive job listings. More importantly, you become part of a network of like-minded professionals who can offer advice, mentorship, and job leads.
- Reach Out Directly to Companies of Interest
Instead of waiting for job postings to appear on LinkedIn or Indeed, take the very welcome step to reach out directly to companies you admire. Whether it’s a small startup or a large multinational corporation, many businesses are open to hiring talented individuals who demonstrate genuine interest in their work.
When reaching out, personalise your message and explain why you're excited about their specific company. Make them feel special and important. Highlight how your chemistry background and skills could contribute to their specific objectives. Even if no immediate job openings are available, making this first connection could put you on their radar for future opportunities. Good quality efforts like this are really tough to ignore, the market is a pretty fair place it will give you back what you put into it.
- Engage in informal conversations
Informational interviews are a fantastic way to learn more about a company, industry trends, and the challenges professionals face in their roles. This is where we come in at LiCa and other agencies we are always pleased to help with gathering insights and advice as we work in this field every day. This is why we are at Manchester Metropolitan university on the 25th February.
Do ask questions about career paths, required skills for jobs you like, and day-to-day responsibilities. Informational conversations also build relationships, which might later lead to job opportunities once the hiring process begins. I don’t know what I’ll be needing in 3 months time nor to most other companies, it could well be someone like you! Do consider reaching out to professionals in positions you aspire to, and ask if they would be open to a brief chat over coffee or a video call. It is flattering when it happens people like to know their advice is valuable.
- Alumni Networks
Your University has a strong alumni network that can be incredibly helpful when entering the job market. These alumni often have a vested interest in supporting recent graduates and are more than willing to offer advice, mentoring, and job leads.
Check with your university’s career services department regularly and make sure this is a central point for you in the search. Again it’s good to just pop over now and again and build networks with the careers centre staff - don’t just go to them once - become a familiar face, it’s their full time job to help you and outside of a few circumstances it’s probably the only time in your career you’ll have such a person.
- Follow Companies and Industry Leaders on Social Media (Not Just LinkedIn)
While LinkedIn is a great resource for job hunting, there are many other platforms you should consider to stay informed about the industry. Industry news or example setting up a Google News or Apple News alert for your market is a hotspot for chemistry updates from industry.
The industry doesn’t “do” social media very well. No chemical company is going to go onto these platforms as it isn’t how they sell to each other. Going on X/Twitter and LinkedIn will therefore achieve limited results. However the industry news via trade publication is very good indeed and how they are used to talking about themselves. Websites like Pharmafocus/Pharmafile, Chemical Industries Association, SCI are all great touching in points. Google “Chemical industry news” (or your industry) and similar websites will be suggested.
- Don’t Forget to Stay Persistent and Open-Minded
The job market can be competitive, especially for recent graduates, so it’s important to stay patient and persistent. On average in business it takes 7 connections to work with someone which is several more than most people will attempt. Not every connection will lead to an immediate job offer, but every conversation is an opportunity to learn and grow. Also you are laying foundations for the future, you never know who will reconnect with you later. Frustration mainly creeps in if you expect more from the activities, just be reasonable and honest with yourself.
Finally, keep an open mind about different career paths within the field of science. Sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected sources, and your ideal role might not always align perfectly with your initial expectations. Be flexible and consider roles that could help you build valuable experience, even if they’re outside your original career goals.
We are available at admin@licasci.com and on 0161 443 4173 for a call.