Webinar "First Impressions Matter: Building a Standout Resume"

Description

A resume is more than a record of your experience—it’s your introduction to future employers. A well-crafted resume highlights your unique skills, achievements, and impact while tailoring your strengths to the opportunity at hand. In today’s competitive job market, standing out requires clarity, precision, and strategy.

In this session, experts will share practical techniques for creating a compelling resume, from tailoring your content to specific roles, to incorporating AI tools for optimization—while ensuring your authenticity shines through. Whether you’re preparing for your first job search or seeking your next big opportunity, this webinar will give you actionable strategies to elevate your application materials.

Featured Speakers

🌱 Dr. Rishi R. Masalia

Talk: Level Up Your Application Toolbox

Landing your next role takes more than great science—it takes a clear, compelling application that speaks the language of industry. This talk focuses on building your Application Toolbox: how to write resumes and cover letters that highlight impact, not just skills. Whether you’re targeting startups, established companies, or non-traditional roles, you’ll leave with concrete tools to stand out and succeed.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Rishi R. Masalia is a plant scientist, startup founder, and executive with over a decade of experience in agriculture, biotech, and climate tech. He has built and scaled multiple early-stage companies, serving in leadership roles from co-founder to Vice President. As the founder of Sage Advice Science, he now helps early-career scientists transition into industry with practical expertise in crafting impactful resumes and CVs.

🤖 Lasse Palomaki

Talk: Leveraging AI to Optimize Jobseekers’ Resumes

A strong resume remains the cornerstone of every job search—but the tools to create one are evolving. This session explores how AI can assist in resume development, tailoring content to specific job descriptions, uncovering gaps, and refining language to better resonate with employers. We’ll also discuss the limits of AI and the irreplaceable role of human judgment. Participants will leave with strategies for using AI thoughtfully and effectively to create smarter, stronger resumes.

About the Speaker:

Lasse Palomaki is Associate Director of Career Services for Alumni at Elon University and Founder of The Strategic Student LLC. With certifications in Instructional Design (ATD) and Design Thinking (IDEO), he has coached thousands of jobseekers and delivered workshops at institutions such as Cornell, UCLA, and UT Dallas. His expertise lies in modern, practical job search strategies—blending technology with authenticity.

Moderators

• Dr. Deepika Chauhan
• Dr. Ian Curtis

📌 Hosted by CAST in partnership with the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB)