Interviewing for the Pharmaceutical Industry: what does it involve and how to succeed? David P Brooks

Interviewing for Pharma  The Drug Discovery & Development Process  What is Pharma Looking for? – Attributes  Finding the open positions  The Interview process  Working in Industry

The Drug Discovery Process genes protein targets chemical diversity identify ‘hit’ optimize ‘hit’ structuretest safety/efficacy animalshumans genomicscombinatorial chemistry smart screening SAR pharmacology DMPK toxicology medicine structure function bioinformatics genes protein targets chemical diversity identify ‘hit’ optimize ‘hit’ structuretest safety/efficacy animalshumans genomicscombinatorial chemistry smart screening SAR pharmacology DMPK toxicology medicine structure function bioinformatics

The Drug Development Process

What is Pharma Looking for?  Many similarities to academia –Basic understanding of molecular processes –Integrated understanding of systemic physiology –High quality research –Emphasis on credibility

What is Pharma Looking for?  Innovative people  Scientifically competent –Publications  Champions ideas  Broad background  Knowledgeable about therapeutics  Functions independently  Risk takers  Emotionally tough  High integrity

Getting the Interview  Finding the open positions –Network  Introductions from mentors –Go to companies web sites  Use Yahoo Finance to find sites

Getting the Interview  Preparing your CV –Make it simple –Not too much verbiage –Separate full publications from abstracts –Presentations and invited talks –Positions with dates –Grants –Honors/prizes

 Forces scientist to defend ideas  Develops emotional strength  Builds self-confidence  Improves communication skills  Establishes scientific credibility  Provides security  Develops skills required to be a champion of ideas Why is Publishing Important?

The Interview Process: Typical Schedule  Meet with hiring supervisor  Seminar  Meet with scientist A  Meet with scientist B  Lunch with 2-3 scientists  Meet with scientist C  Meet with scientist D  Meet with Human Resources Rep.

The Seminar  Ability to present your work in a clear and understandable manner  Ability to champion your ideas  Enthusiasm  Take equity in the science  Ability to hear the questions being asked and to answer clearly and briefly  No BS

The Interview Process  Targeted Selection –Past performance predicts the future  Specific examples of situations  Evidence of bringing efforts to closure  Publications  Evidence of scientific acumen  Communication skills  How do you “add value”

The Interview Process  Define what it is you want to do in industry –Research –Project management –Clinical development –Marketing –Etc.

The Interview Process  Define what it is you want to do in industry –Research –Project management –Clinical development –Marketing –Etc.

Industry vs Academia IndustryAcademia Good Science   Publications   Presentations   “Having a Boss”  X Writing Grants X  Writing Monthly Reports  X Changing research areas  X

Summary  Scientifically excellent  Communicator  Champion  Independent  Risk taker  Emotionally tough  High integrity