Answer is simple..
DONT work for someone else.
Start up on your own..
but wait ... Your a chemist (did I get that right ?) What the hell would you know about sales ? Marketing ?
I guess your'd better employ someone ...
Now ... how do we choose who's gonna be best for YOUR company ? they all seem qualified.
Yours is a fledgling company, make a bad choice and ... well ... Your'll probably go down the pan. You can't just sack underperforming workers these days.
i'm sure your getting the drift of what I'm driving at.
Yup .. It Sucks, BIG TIME. Especially when it nearly ALWAYS turns out to be .. NOT WHAT you know
BUT WHO you know.
Cecilia is right ..to a degree .. Throws em off guard and shows YOU have vision.. Push it too far though and they'll think.. Huh ..what a smart ass.
Good luck.