2. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
What skills are needed to compete
for jobs in biomanufacturing?
•Appropriate education and experience
•Mastery of basic skills
•Scientific and technical knowledge specific to the job
•A successful employment history and relevant job
experience
3. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
1. Appropriate education
• Minimum: High school diploma or GED
• Companies rarely hire workers directly out of high
school
• Companies prefer workers who have matured outside
of the high school environment.
• Companies value a minimum of one to two years of
college and an associate degree.
• Companies want employees with education coupled
with prior work or military experience.
4. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
2. Mastery of basic skills
Basic skills include:
• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• Problem-solving
• Computer literacy
5. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
• Applying your reading, writing and math skills
Reading status reports from previous shifts
Reading SOPs and equipment manuals
Writing reports and procedures
Using formulas to make solutions and dilutions
• Applying your computer literacy skills
Using computers that control equipment
Writing reports using word processing software
6. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
3. Technical knowledge and skills
Applying scientific principles and technical
skills
• Growing cells
• Operating process equipment
• Analyzing production samples
• Purifying products
• Identifying microbial contamination
7. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
4. Employee success skills
A successful applicant demonstrates the ability to:
• Manage time.
• Maintain a safe and orderly work environment.
• Keep learning new skills.
• Follow procedures exactly.
• Keep precise records.
• Communicate effectively
• Work as a team member
• Solve problems, troubleshoot and improve the process
• Understand and accept the principles of good business
8. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
A. Manage time
• Shows up for work regularly and on time
• Is willing and able to adapt to shift work
• Manages personal schedule to meet shift
schedules
• Plans and organizes work and sets priorities
• Can attend to several tasks at once
• Completes tasks on time; keeps production on
schedule
9. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
B. Maintain a safe and orderly work
environment
• Complies with health, environmental and safety
regulations
• Follows dress and protective clothing policies
• Assumes responsibility for safety of self and others
• Sets a good example for others
• Handles and maintains equipment and materials with
care
• Follows good housekeeping practices
10. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
C. Keep learning new skills
• Shows interest in learning new knowledge,
skills and tasks
• Is resourceful and can work with minimal
supervision
• Accepts that continuous learning is part of
the job
11. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
D. Follow procedures exactly
• Follows directions exactly as written
every time
• Takes no shortcuts
12. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
E. Keep precise records
• Keeps records that are accurate
• Keeps records that contain required
details
13. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
F. Communicate effectively
• Communicates clearly and shares information with
others in a timely manner
• Understands what details coworkers need to know
about a project
• Communicates effectively in person, whether 1-on-1,
in group meetings or through formal presentations;
and adapts the level of the presentation for the
audience
• Writes effectively and clearly, with a concise business
style
• Uses scientific and technical terminology precisely
14. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
G. Work as a team member
• Recognizes individual contributions toward a common
goal
• Accepts responsibility for team’s success or failure
• Accepts own mistakes and is receptive to corrections
and suggestions
• Shares concepts, ideas and problems with others
• Coordinates own work and work of others
• Can conduct meetings and helps groups make
decisions
• Is eager to share technical knowledge and willing and
able to assist and train others
15. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
H. Solve problems, troubleshoot and
improve the process
• Is willing to learn the manufacturing process and how
different units in the plant work together
• Is sensitive to anything unusual in surroundings (sights,
sounds, smells) and responds with appropriate action and
communication to identify causes and solutions
• Suggests ways to improve the manufacturing process
through proper channels, even when production is
progressing without problems
• Knows and can apply a variety of problem-solving
approaches and methods to determine causes and
recommend solutions
16. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
I. Understand and accept the principles
of good business
•Understands the need for profit in the manufacturing
process
•Can identify factors within the manufacturing process
that determine cost
•Can identify possible barriers to profit in the
manufacturing process
•Can explain why pleasing internal and external
customers is critical to a company’s success
•Is willing and able to interact appropriately with
internal and external inspectors and auditors.
17. Getting a Job and Getting Ahead
How can you prepare?
•Get a job
•Join a club or student organization
•Research careers
•Understand the hiring process
