Job Fair Highlights Work
at TSRI
By Mika Ono
The Scripps Research Institute's (TSRI) first job fair
on May 10 offered prospective employees a close-up look at
the world of opportunities within the institute.
While personnel from Human Resources have attended job fairs
at other locations in the past, this is the first time TSRI
has hosted such an event.
"We want to show prospective employees that TSRI can be
a great place to work," says Employment Representative Kelly
Kehoe, who organized the event, held in the Beckman Building,
with the help and inspiration of her co-workers in Human Resources.
"We also want to provide information on our needs and hiring
process."
Throughout the day, job fair participants chatted with current
TSRI employees from a variety of labs and from support groups
such as Environmental Health & Safety, Animal Resources, and
Facilities. They participated in tours of TSRI's cutting-edge
laboratories. And they visited a table highlighting TSRI's
employee benefits.
"In addition to our strong health plans, prospective employees
are most excited about TSRI's fitness subsidy (at 24-Hour
Fitness), tuition reimbursement, transit benefit, onsite seated
massage, yoga classes, and weight watchers and toastmaster's
groups," notes Human Resources Manager Ellen Anderson.
The institute's scenic La Jolla campus, close to the ocean
and Torrey Pines State Park, is also a draw, as well as its
location in the San Diego metropolitan region. The job fair
coincided with the announcement that San Deigo has been ranked
number one in the nation by the new Forbes/Milken
List of Best Places for Business and Careers.
Some job fair participants attended a seminar on resume
preparation and interviewing techniques, which outlined tools
and skills that applicants could use in their job search both
at TSRI and other institutions.
In the seminar, Human Resource's Khanh Nguyen and Linda
Kauffman gave this advice on resumes:
- Don't include graphics or color, as they are difficult
to scan into the computer;
- Do list job skills in addition to job titles and places
of employment;
- Do list specific dates of employment, as this is helpful
to hiring managers;
- Don't worry if your resume is more than one page long;
- Do write a cover letter that specifies the position you
are interested in and demonstrates your writing skills.
Their advice on interviewing included:
- Do research the organization before arriving at an interview
(for example, know that TSRI is a basic biomedical research
institute, not one that specializes in oceanography);
- Don't arrive late if at all possible;
- Do dress neatly;
- Do come prepared to answer questions on your professional
experience;
- Do come prepared to ask questions—about the job,
the corporate culture, the benefits, and the next step in
the hiring process;
- Do bring an extra copy of your resume and a list of references;
- Do follow up with a thank you note;
- Don't hesitate to follow up with a phone call or e-mail
if you haven't heard back from the employment representative
in a reasonable amount of time.
Also at the job fair, representatives from Human Resources
shared a list of job postings, collected resumes, and offered
information on the hiring process.
For more information and a list of current employment opportunities,
see the TSRI Employment Opportunities
web page. To submit a resume electronically, e-mail it
to resumes@scripps.edu.
To submit a resume by mail, send it to: Human Resources, The
Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road,
TPC 11, La Jolla, CA 92037.
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Employment Assistant Melanie Brittle answers questions from
perspective TSRI employees. Photo by Kevin
Fung.
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