No matter the industry you work in, maintaining and improving your productivity is a large part of any job. Here at Hyper Recruitment Solutions, we may serve organisations and candidates in a wide range of categories of science jobs and we've found that productivity is a key factor in each role. 

If you're concerned you're not productive enough or find you are stressed about having to get more done in increasingly little time, just follow our simple tips on how to improve your productivity. 

• Eliminate common modern distractions

It seems that anyone in any job role can be very easily distracted by social media updates or even what's on TV in the canteen.

You may presume that it's good for your work success to always be connected, but if anything, the opposite is true. Distraction reduces your productivity more than you may think.

• Set your next day's schedule before you leave the office

A clear schedule helps you to stay organised and focused and more importantly, productive. You do you need to leave the daunting task of scheduling for the beginning of your day either, as this is the time when you would probably rather ease yourself into work with a nice morning coffee. 

A good way to improve your productivity is to put together your 'to-do' list for the following day just before you leave. This will ensure you know exactly what you have to do from 8 am the next morning and can simply focus on working through your list. 

• Set - and meet - your deadlines

Depending on your level of responsibility in your role, you might not have the luxury of setting deadlines for yourself or others in your team. However, whether you do or do not have that power, you should at least ensure deadlines are met. 

If you're wondering how to improve your productivity, treat your work deadlines like financial budgets you simply cannot miss. Also, consider factoring an extra 15 minutes into the plan for your schedule each day, just in case certain assignments do overrun.

• Take quick breaks when you need them

The aforementioned rule shouldn't dictate that you stay glued to your desk at all times, even when you are becoming too stressed or distracted to concentrate properly. If you're not focused, this is not a good way to improve your productivity. 

Instead, break the cycle by getting out of your chair and going for a short walk down the corridor, stretching your legs or preparing a cup of coffee. It'll give you a fresh pair of eyes which with to attack your work responsibilities again.

• Try to not multitask

We are in an age in which multi-tasking seems not only possible but is also desired in many job roles. This is despite the research findings that point towards functional multitasking being a myth. Indeed, according to a 2009 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, even those who claim to multitask are actually pretty bad at it.

When you combine such discoveries with the highly delicate and responsible nature of so many science jobs, there's a very strong case for focusing on accomplishing one task at a time to a good standard, rather than joining the league of stressed-out, distracted and poorly-performing multi-taskers.

• Fill your mind with positive thoughts

We aren't talking about spending your day repeating endless 'affirmations' in your head that you barely even believe - indeed, we're talking about something that you may not do at work at all.

Before you go to bed at night, remind yourself of your life dreams and your goals for the day ahead, and/or read an inspirational book. Make sure your subconscious is full of uplifting thoughts that will carry you through another drab Monday.

Are you eager to put these productivity tips to the test in your dream science role? Get in touch with the leading science recruitment agency Hyper Recruitment Solutions now, so that we can suitably prepare you for and match you to your next big career opportunity. 

If you want to immediately follow up your studies with a rewarding and well-paid job, one of the first things that will require attention is your CV.

A good CV - one that projects an image of you as confident, competent and professional - will capture the attention of even the most fastidious recruitment agencies, so here are 10 ways to ensure it is exactly that.

1. Include all of the essential details

Does your CV even include your full name? What about your telephone number or email address so that employers can actually contact you? Have you listed all relevant skills and past experiences?

2. Use a professional email address

An embarrassing email address referencing your sexual proclivities or that sitcom character's famous saying immediately plants doubt in the employer's head. According to a study cited by the University of Kent Careers and Employability Service, 76% of CVs with unprofessional email addresses are ignored.

3. Don't exaggerate your qualities or accomplishments

You may want to show your qualifications, skills and experiences in the best light, but don't venture outside the realm of truth by making outlandish claims that will kill your chances when you are asked about them at interview.

4. Have multiple versions of your CV

It's accepted practice now to adapt your CV to different science jobs, but doing so can be time-consuming. Make it easier by having several versions of your CV ready for swift modification - for example, a long one that has everything, a short one covering only the most basic details and a third one that combines the most appropriate elements of the aforementioned two.

5. Don't use any more than two or three sides

Employers frequently have hundreds of CVs to sift through - they are unlikely to be interested in reading beyond this widely accepted standard length unless you have undertaken multiple short-term projects or assignments or possess literally decades of relevant experience.

6. Double check and triple-check spelling and grammar

This advice seems to show up in every article about CV writing, and with good reason - it really is that important. It especially needs to be retold given that graduates are twice as likely to make spelling or grammatical errors on their CVs as non-graduates.

7. Go for interesting, but professional presentation

We wouldn't recommend that you go for an 'artsy and quirky' CV design if you're gunning for science jobs, but there's still scope for a bit of classy creativity that takes your CV away from 'deathly dull' territory - for example, a slightly unconventional (but still professional) font for your name at the top of the document.

8. Cite examples of leadership

Recruiters for science jobs like to see indications that you can take responsibility for yourself and would not be out of place in a managerial role in years to come. Captaining the cricket team at school or being the key instigator behind university charity events can therefore be more relevant than you realise.

9. Swerve clear of CV clichés

If your idea of the kind of CV statement that employers like to see is still "I like to socialise with friends", you really need to rethink that hobbies section. Quirkier pastimes can attract attention to a CV in a more positive sense, as long as they aren't controversial.  

10. Get someone else to look at it

Spending too long poring over your CV can sometimes paradoxically make it harder to pick out so-called 'obvious' mistakes or areas for improvement (for example, a poorly phrased sentence) - so, get at least one of two other trusted people to give it a quick read-through.

Read our other useful CV writing tips or remind yourself of our Candidate Commitment to get a sense of how we could assist you in your early science career here at Hyper Recruitment Solutions, including by matching you to the most desirable science jobs in sought-after fields ranging from pharmaceutical and clinical to engineering and biotechnology. 

It's not surprising that the pharmaceutical industry is such a key focus for many of those in pursuit of the most desirable science jobs, given the ever-evolving nature of the sector amid continually high demand for new and improved medications and therapeutics.

As a pharmaceutical worker, you may be involved in everything from the dispensing of drugs and the labelling of medication to the writing of reports about experiments and the research itself that could have significant implications for an entire population of patients.  

An entry-level pharmaceutical role could land you a salary of around £18,000 per annum, rising to as much as £150,000 or higher if you eventually become an executive or specialist at a leading firm. But what are the core skills that are required to thrive in this stimulating and rewarding field?

The skills that make all the difference

Pharmaceutical workers are expected to possess any of a wide range of core skills, depending on their specific area and level of responsibility. These include good interpersonal skills and an ability to explain information in an easily understandable way to the public.

Good employees in this industry also tend to be highly organised, methodical and accurate, also having good maths and IT skills. They should be able to work both alone and as part of a team, prioritise projects and even apply a certain level of business knowledge, if applicable.

From project planning to managerial skills

An ability to plan ahead projects well is key in the pharmaceutical field, given the ever-present need to identify tasks, allocate resources and estimate costs.

Your ability to work as part of a team is likely to be routinely tested during your time as a pharmaceutical worker, with any prior experience in team building invaluable for suitably understanding and dealing with the distinct group dynamics and group development that apply to this sector.

As in virtually every other job role - certainly any that would be within the scope of a science recruitment agency - communication and presentation skills are also essential for pharmaceutical staffers, who need to be able to understand the relationship between their own communication style and skills and their all-round effectiveness in their role.

Should you rise to a managerial role in this highly performance-oriented sector, you will also need to be skilled at delivering constructive feedback and resolving conflicts.

Talk to Hyper Recruitment Solutions about your pharmaceutical career

From risk analysis and time management to decision making and delegation, there are many other core skills that will serve you well in the pharmaceutical industry, but the aforementioned make good starting points for further investigations of the right roles in this field for you.

Remember that here at Hyper Recruitment Solutions, one of the most acclaimed science recruitment agencies active today, we can cater for a wide range of specialist skill sets in the pharmaceutical sector, encompassing - but not restricted to - regulatory affairs, quality assurance, research and development, engineering, clinical research and consumer insight. Click below to learn more information about our Pharmaceutical services.

For more information on how our highly experienced and knowledgeable science recruitment specialists can aid you in this highly competitive but exciting science industry, please contact us today! 

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