Chapter 7: Apply job entry techniques

Digital literacy is essential for professionals in Applied Biology, especially as the sector increasingly integrates technology in research, diagnostics, data analysis, and communication. Understanding different job opportunities and how to approach them effectively enables graduates to navigate the competitive Kenyan job market. This chapter explores the types of job opportunities available to Applied Biology professionals, including self-employment and salaried employment, and highlights key sources through which these opportunities can be accessed.

7.1 Types of Job Opportunities

A graduate of applied biology can earn a living in two broad ways: by working for oneself or by working for an employer who pays a salary. Each way suits different people and different stages of a career, and each has its own routes to the first opportunity. This topic describes self-employment, salaried employment and the places where job opportunities are found, so that a technician can make an informed choice and search in the right places.

7.1.1 Self-Employment

Self-employment means earning a living by running your own business or practice, instead of being paid a salary by an employer. The self-employed person finds clients, sets prices, pays the costs and keeps the profit or bears the loss. In applied biology the work is of two kinds: offering a service and developing a product.

Self-employment gives independence, flexible working time and an income that can grow with the business, and it allows a graduate to meet a local need, such as testing water for farmers. It also carries risks: income can be irregular, start-up money is needed, the owner is responsible for permits and records and there is no paid leave or employer contribution. A person who plans to be self-employed needs technical skill, a basic knowledge of costing and record keeping, the ability to market the work and the discipline to manage time and money.

7.1.1.1 Service Provision

Service provision means selling expertise and not a physical product. Examples of services that use applied biology skills are these.

• Testing services: Analysing samples of water, soil or feed for farmers and small businesses, if the equipment and the method are reliable.
• Field survey and sampling services: Collecting and recording specimens or data for researchers and organisations that need a survey.
• Identification and advisory services: Identifying plants, insects or pests and advising a grower on their management.
• Consultancy: Preparing reports, such as an assessment of a pond or a plot, for a client who needs a technical opinion.
• Training and tutoring: Teaching laboratory techniques or biology to groups or individuals.
• Digital services: Online work such as scientific writing, data analysis or image labelling, described under Perform online jobs.

A service business depends on trust, so accuracy and honesty in results are essential. The provider must know which permits and standards apply, keep records of every job and set a price that covers time, materials, transport and a profit. Referrals from satisfied clients are a useful way of finding new work.

7.1.1.2 Product Development

Product development means making something and selling it. Applied biology graduates can make products such as tissue culture seedlings, mushroom spawn and mushrooms, compost and organic fertiliser, bio-control agents, honey and other bee products, and cultured organisms for teaching. The process begins with finding a need, then making and testing a sample, then checking that the product is safe and works, followed by costing, packaging and selling.

Many biological products are regulated. Pesticides, including biological pesticides, must be registered with the Pest Control Products Board before they are sold, and the movement of plants and planting material is controlled by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service. Product quality standards are set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and a food or health claim needs evidence. A person planning a product must find out what approvals apply before spending money on production. Start on a small scale, test the market and keep careful production and sales records.

7.1.2 Salaried Employment

Salaried employment means working for an employer under an agreement and receiving a regular payment, called a salary or a wage. The employer provides the workplace, the equipment and the work plan, and the employee carries out the duties of a post. The agreement is written in a contract that sets out the duties, pay, hours, leave and the period of notice, and it should be read before signing.

Employers of applied biology graduates include research institutes, teaching and research institutions, quality control laboratories in food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing, agricultural and horticultural companies, conservation and environmental organisations, museums and herbaria, seed and plant health services and government departments and agencies. Posts include laboratory technician, research assistant, quality control analyst, field officer, environmental officer and trainer.

Contracts may be permanent, for a fixed term or for a particular project, and attachments and internships give experience before a first contract. The advantages are a regular income, protection under employment law, training and a path for promotion. The limits are less control over the work, fixed hours and an income set by the employer. The pay slip shows deductions for income tax and for statutory contributions, and these should be understood, since they decide how much is taken home.

7.1.3 Sources of Job Opportunities

Opportunities are found through several channels, and a job seeker who uses more than one finds more.

• Online job websites: Kenyan sites such as BrighterMonday and Fuzu, and international sites such as LinkedIn, advertise vacancies that can be filtered by field, place and level. Create a profile, upload a CV and set alerts for words such as laboratory technician, research assistant or field officer.
• Websites and notice boards of employers: Research institutes, companies and conservation organisations post their vacancies on their own websites, and some notices appear only there.
• Newspaper and government adverts: Newspapers carry job pages, and posts in the public service are advertised publicly by the body responsible for recruitment.
• Professional contacts: Lecturers, supervisors from attachment, colleagues and members of professional societies often hear of openings first. Tell them what work you are looking for.
• Attachments and internships: Many people are offered a job by the laboratory or organisation where they did an attachment, so do the attachment seriously.
• Recruitment agencies: Licensed agencies match candidates to employers. A genuine agency does not ask a job seeker to pay for a job, and its registration can be confirmed with the National Employment Authority.
• Social media and online groups: Professional groups and networks post vacancies and training opportunities. Check that a post comes from a genuine organisation.
• Calls for proposals and funding: Self-employed people and research groups find opportunities through announcements of grants, competitions and contracts for services.

Whatever the source, confirm that an offer is genuine before replying: look for the employer's official website and contact, and never pay money to be given a job or share identity documents before an interview.

Chapter Summary

This chapter explored different types of job opportunities, highlighting self-employment through service provision and product development, salaried employment, and various sources where job openings can be found. It then examined the resume or curriculum vitae, explaining its purpose, ideal length, essential content, formatting, and tips for crafting an effective CV while noting common mistakes to avoid. The discussion moved to job application letters, detailing the key components to include, how to properly address the letter, and appropriate ways to sign off professionally. Additionally, the chapter covered the portfolio of evidence, emphasizing the importance of including academic credentials, letters of commendation, certificates of participation, and awards. Interview skills were also addressed comprehensively, focusing on listening abilities, grooming standards, language proficiency, clear articulation of issues, positive body language, punctuality, honesty, and staying informed on current affairs and relevant technical knowledge. Together, these topics equip learners with the practical knowledge necessary to successfully navigate the job application process.