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Who We’re Hiring At…BioResource International

Susan Coggins
HR Manager

BioResource International specializes in the research, development and manufacture of unique enzyme feed additives that improve animal nutrition and growth.

What qualities are you looking for in a new employee, and why?

Some of the most important skills we’re looking for are the ability to communicate well and be able to work together in groups and adequately convey their thoughts. Flexibility is important, too: What they end up doing may not be exactly what they wanted to do. There’s opportunity there if they are willing to try something that’s new and different.

I think NC State does a great job of educating their students well in their chosen profession, fields and such, and I’ve had no issues with students who came from there not knowing how to do when they needed to do. I was very pleased with their lab work, and I’m sure that’s something that will continue to grow as different experimentation and devices and such are out there. It’s good that they have the latest knowledge. It’s not unusual for industry to come quickly with that, probably sometimes faster than academia does.

What makes a resume stand out?

I want to see a resume that’s not too busy. I don’t have the time or the desire to read a book. So keep it fairly clean, but make sure that you’ve covered what’s important.

A resume should resonate with what we’re looking for: If you’re going to list experience that is not a paid job, there’s no problem with doing that – just make sure that you tell what you learned at that. For example, if you were a dog walker, does that in some way apply to what you’re hoping to do for us?

I love to see internships, because I think it gives students an opportunity to try out something and see if they like it.

What can CALS do to make sure we’re building employees of the future?

I’ve always felt that the students there are extremely well-prepared. I think you are doing a great job of making sure that they are well-prepared and giving students a little bit of experience ahead of time in how to shake hands and talk to someone, to have their resume ready and to look (recruiters) in the eye. These things are very much appreciated.

Practicing a little bit ahead of time is critical. It’s your opportunity to teach them to stand out and make a memorable impression.

Another thing: We are a small company. So often students head toward the really big ones. I think there’s terrific opportunity in the great big companies, but sometimes they forget that they might even get a little more experience at the small ones.