Having trouble finding a suitable job with a livable wage
As my title suggests, I am not having any luck finding a suitable job after graduating college. I’ve done everything from revamping my resume to suit each position I apply for to writing detailed and concise cover letters a ton of times. Seriously at this point over half of my saved word docs are just resumes cover letters.
I graduated college about 2.5 years ago, my initial plans were to attend PA school, but boy was that derailed after a bad car accident I was in not too long afterwards. So now I’m stuck with a relatively useless major (biology) and can’t even attend grad school yet (if ever) due to finances. I still wish to attend PA school someday, but not now. Right now I’m just trying to get in order financially. Surprisingly, a lot of my friends have managed to find decent jobs with a bachelor’s in Biology so I thought maybe I can give it a go. So far nothing. Every rejection email feels like a stab in the chest. I’m not even asking for a much, just something livable (which I guess is asking for a lot nowadays). Also, something to at least give me more experience to make my future resume look better.
Another thing I’m confused about is how I apply to a position one day and the next day I get a rejection. I understand a lot of companies are now using AI to sort applications and resumes, so how could I possibly circumvent that? If anyone has insight into how to make my application/resume look better to AI please share!
I’m losing hope, but I’m still hanging on by a thread that eventually someone will give me a chance. My current job neither pays me enough, nor gives me true full time hours (30 hours is considered full time). Does anyone have any tips? Whether it’s modifying my resume, how to professionally reach out to recruiters, and/or how to make my resume look appealing even with limited experience?
Jobadvisor
I am genuinely sorry to hear about the struggles you're facing. It takes incredible resilience to navigate a career search while dealing with the fallout of a major accident and financial stress. Please know that your frustration is completely valid, but your degree is not useless, and there are concrete steps you can take to make your resume stand out and secure a more stable position.
The rapid rejection emails point directly to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) filtering. We need to work on beating the bots and appealing to the humans.
Here is an actionable, three-part plan focusing on getting past the initial filters, targeting high-potential roles, and getting creative with your experience.
🤖 Part 1: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
The good news is that passing the ATS is less about your experience and more about your document's format and content matching. The one-day rejection is almost certainly a bot.
| Action | Why It Works |
| 1. Use Keywords from the Job Description | The ATS scans for specific keywords. If the posting says "PCR and Western Blotting experience required," you must use the exact phrases PCR and Western Blotting on your resume and cover letter, even if you use synonyms in your head. |
| 2. Use Simple Formatting | Avoid fancy graphics, tables, columns, headers/footers, or text boxes. Use a clean, single-column Word document and a standard font (like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman). Save as a .docx file unless specifically told to use PDF. |
| 3. Use Standard Section Titles | Title your sections clearly: Professional Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications (not "My Journey" or "Work History"). |
| 4. Mirror the Exact Job Title | If the job is "Research Associate I," use that exact title on your resume under your relevant experience, or as a goal in your summary. |
| 5. Incorporate Keywords Naturally | Embed keywords in your bullet points to show context, not just in a list. Example: Instead of just listing "Lab Safety," write: "Maintained Level 2 Lab Safety protocols for handling infectious biological samples." |
🧪 Part 2: High-Potential Roles for Biology Grads
A Bachelor's in Biology is highly valued in several growing sectors, often leading to livable wages and good experience. You need to focus your job search on roles that directly utilize your technical knowledge and lab skills.
| Role | Why It's a Good Fit | Average Entry-Level Salary* |
| Laboratory Technician / Research Assistant | Direct use of your bench skills (pipetting, PCR, titrations, media prep). These roles exist in hospitals, universities, and biotech/pharmaceutical companies. | $40k - $60k+ |
| Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) | Excellent entry point into the lucrative clinical trials/pharmaceutical industry. Focuses on patient care, data organization, and regulatory compliance. Great PA school experience. | $45k - $65k+ |
| Quality Control (QC) Analyst | Found in manufacturing (biotech, pharma, food science). Uses lab skills to ensure product safety and consistency. Requires attention to detail and adherence to strict protocols (GMP/GLP). | $45k - $70k+ |
| Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | High earning potential ($70k+ base + commission). Requires strong science knowledge (your degree!) and people skills. Look for "Sales Associate" or "Trainee" programs. | $60k - $115k+ |
| Biological/Environmental Technician | Fieldwork and lab testing in environmental consulting, water testing, or government agencies. Can be great if you enjoy working outdoors or regulatory compliance. | $40k - $60k+ |
*Salary ranges are approximate and highly dependent on location (e.g., Boston, SF, or NJ biotech hubs pay more) and company size.
📈 Part 3: Showcasing "Limited" Experience
You have more experience than you think. You need to reframe your college labs, current job, and volunteering to sound like professional work.
A. Quantify Everything
Recruiters want to see numbers. Apply the "Result-Action-Context" format to every bullet point.
| Before (Boring/Vague) | After (Professional/Quantified) |
| Studied cell cultures in my senior lab project. | Successfully maintained and tracked 15+ distinct cell lines for a 4-month research project, ensuring 95% viability for downstream assays. |
| Worked in customer service at my current job. | Resolved an average of 70 customer issues per day with a 98% satisfaction rating, developing advanced problem-solving and de-escalation skills. |
B. Leverage Your PA School Prerequisites (Clinical Experience)
Your previous interest in PA school is a massive asset. Look for roles that provide the patient-facing experience PA schools require, and that pay better than minimum wage:
Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC): As mentioned, this is a blend of science and patient interaction.
Patient Care Technician (PCT) / Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): These require a short, affordable certification and immediately open the door to hospitals, providing excellent pay and clinical hours for future PA applications.
Medical Scribe: Remote or in-person work with physicians, using your science knowledge and showcasing attention to detail and medical terminology skills.
C. Connect with People (The Hidden Job Market)
A personal connection skips the ATS entirely. This is essential for getting interviews.
Find the Hiring Manager/Recruiter: Use LinkedIn to find the recruiter or hiring manager for the specific job you applied for.
Send a Professional Connection Request: Do not ask for the job directly. Keep it brief, professional, and reference your shared industry.
"Hi [Name], I recently applied for the Research Assistant position on your team. I’m a Biology graduate focused on moving into the biotech industry and was especially impressed by [Company]'s work in [mention a specific project or product]. I'd appreciate the opportunity to connect and follow your work."
Follow Up: Once they accept your connection, send a short message thanking them for connecting and reiterating your high interest in the role.
You are not out of options. You have a science degree and a clear goal (PA school). You just need to pivot your strategy to focus on getting a high-value, "livable wage" job that serves as a necessary financial bridge.