“You got the job!”: A BMS Recruiter and Rotational Program Member Tell Us How It’s Done

Transitioning into your first workplace can be a daunting undertaking, even more so for those intending on a career in the sciences or biopharma. From researching potential employers, to impressing them in interviews, to thriving within a new cutting-edge environment—there’s a lot to master. Danielle McGrath, Senior Early Career Recruiter, understands this and explains how BMS’s Technology Rotational Development Program (RDP) can help.

“What’s most important is that I’m learning what the enterprise needs,” she says. “And I’m learning how to communicate corporately, having that corporate presence. These are experiences I get to have daily.”

Danielle adds her own perspective on the RDP and what it takes to get hired for a full-time position at BMS. “The goal is that each rotation builds on your strengths and what you want to get exposure to so at the end of the program, you have a clear idea of the permanent role you want to transition to at BMS.”

Tips for a Successful Job Search

Working within the RDP is one thing, but Danielle discusses the process to get there, especially matching skill sets to programs. “Especially check out our early career page on our careers site. Get familiar with our values and think about how you represent them; company values are often the basis of how the behavioral interview questions are written.”

Bianca’s research was hands on, talking to interviewers at an MBA conference and networking. “Through research and speaking with them, I could tell they cared about me and wanted me to apply.”

Does she have some advice for other early career seekers who want to build rewarding careers at BMS? “Do your research,” says Bianca. “Make sure that you’re passionate about the work. No matter what your interests are, as long as you show that passion, that’s what’s most important.”

Interview and Follow-up

Danielle adds that when networking or interviewing, “If I hear something I haven’t heard before, that’s what excites me, or when a candidate connects two dots from a conversation, then asks a question based on that—I can see that they’re thinking, not just asking the usual questions.”

The interview is a big part of the hiring process, but it doesn’t end there. “Always send a thank you email the day of your interview,” says Danielle. “And don’t forget to ask about next steps and timeline.”

The Flexibility of an RDP

What’s even more exciting about the RDP is the opportunity to work in fields that are adjacent to IT but aren’t necessarily traditional IT functions. In Bianca’s case, she experienced work within her rotations that wasn’t the traditional IT work she’d done in the past but was within her rotation’s business unit.

“Just because it’s IT doesn’t necessarily mean it’s just IT,” Bianca says. “Because I can work in business development and deal with mergers, acquisitions and diversions; but really, I’m working on strategic collaborations with digital health companies. It’s a different side of IT. IT is not just technical at BMS.”

Danielle stresses the fact that there are “copious opportunities to learn and develop within BMS. Integral to the Rotational Development Programs are constant career path check-ins with your manager or mentor, so there’s no question where you want to go.” And not just within the RDPs; these check-ins and learning opportunities are available throughout BMS. “We have an enterprise LinkedIn Learning membership for every employee including summer interns,” adds Danielle, “and our People and Business Resource Groups (PBRGs) are constantly presenting and providing that learning and support to their member base, which is open to everyone.”

“I do appreciate the PBRGs,” adds Bianca. “And the fact that BMS cares and puts the effort in. They want a diverse workforce and it shows.”

Create a Career You Love

In a world filled with career choices for early career individuals, Bianca touches on her two biggest reasons to choose BMS. “Come to BMS if you want to be in charge of your career and if you want to make a difference.”

As someone who deals with early career people day in and day out, Danielle relates the importance of loving the job you do. “In a world where we hear about workers dreading Mondays, if I can contribute to someone getting the job they love, that’s awesome. I love telling people they got the job. What’s better than that? Maybe ‘here’s your baby,’ but I love those calls. And I always do it on Friday so they have a great weekend. That’s the best part of my job.”

If you love hearing “you got the job” as much as Danielle loves saying it, learn more about creating an interesting and meaningful career through the RDP and BMS’s early career development initiatives. Visit careers.bms.com/early-careers.