1. Industry and Academic Interviews ScienceCareers.org Workshop Industry vs Academic Interviews Harvard Medical School 17 May 2015 Garth A Fowler, Ph.D. Outreach Program Manager ScienceCareers.org

2. Industry and Academic Interviews Science’s online career resource http://www.sciencecareers.org

3. Industry and Academic Interviews Today’s Journey Interviewing: The basics Industry vs Academia: What is the difference? Preparing: Approach as meticulously as you do your research

4. Industry and Academic Interviews

5. Common Mistakes!

6. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Mission Convey that you can do the job. Get them to like you. Provide evidence to support the first, do things to ensure the second.

7. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Conference Talk

8. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Interview!

9. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Interview!

10. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Interview!

11. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Interview!

12. Industry and Academic Interviews Know Thyself What will you contribute to this company/department? What skills and abilities do you have to offer? What indicators are there of your quality of work?

13. Industry and Academic Interviews Present Thyself This is your first impression! Know your qualifications (and be able to defend them) Sell yourself, with integrity

14. Industry and Academic Interviews Practice Practice (out loud)

15. Industry and Academic Interviews Know ThyOrganization What is this group known for? Where do they want to go next? Why this position? – What is unique about it? – Why did they make it this way?

16. Industry and Academic Interviews Gather Information too! Have good strategic questions about: – Big picture – What is expected of you (sometimes obvious) – How does this fit into your career plans (remember the early slides?) Inquire about the next steps in the process

17. Industry and Academic Interviews For You Interviews: What each Wants Confirm impression from application Opportunity to meet the person Determine fit Promote your skills and abilities Opportunity to meet the people Determine fit For the Organization

18. Industry and Academic Interviews It Is the Fit that Counts Interviews are designed to determine how you would integrate into a company/lab’s team. Interviews should also allow you to determine if you LIKE the environment (but not always well designed to do so).

19. Industry and Academic Interviews Why should we hire You? Feels like undue bragging – but you gotta do it. Emphasize organization, positive attitude, and teamwork. State how your training/background meets their needs!

20. Industry and Academic Interviews Follow Up – simple, but necessary “[B]e patient - the entire hiring process could take months.” … however …. “Take the next step. Send thank you emails or letters.”

21. Industry and Academic Interviews Know what They Want Ultimately, the purpose of any interview is to demonstrate to all interested that you are the ideal candidate. To do this, you have know what they need, and spend enough time preparing to demonstrate that you have what they want.

22. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Science Approach to Research Grants & Awards Papers and Contributions Future Work… $$$$ You Applications of your Research Skills, Techniques, & Abilities Teamwork Your career track and goals

23. Industry and Academic Interviews Scientific Training is more than just ‘science’ Problem Solving Independence Critical Thinking Computational/Analytical Mathematical Goal Oriented

24. Industry and Academic Interviews We are seeking a talented team player to lead our in-vitro assay development group. The candidate will be responsible for managing a team of researcher and technicians, driving innovation in bioanalytical method development for clinical studies in compliance with EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines, with a focus on cell based bioassays and FACS analysis to monitor pharmakokinetics, pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity. The duties will also include participation in multidisciplinary project teams, communication with external experts, collaboration partners and contract laboratories. A Typical Advertisement

25. Industry and Academic Interviews The candidate must possess a PhD degree in the field of biological science ( Biology, Biochemistry or Immunology ), should have a strong immunology background, 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience in cell based assay and FACS based assays development and a minimum of 2 years experience in managing people in an industrial environment. The position requires excellent verbal and written English communication skills, a high level of self-motivation, a result oriented working style, the ability to independently design and implement experiments as well as to work in a multinational team. Candidates should be willing to travel. Knowledge of Italian is beneficial

26. Industry and Academic Interviews team playerin-vitro assay managing a team of researcher and techniciansbioanalytical method EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelinescell based bioassays and FACS analysis participation in multidisciplinary project teamscommunication with external experts collaboration partners and contract laboratoriesPhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunology - strong immunology background, experience in managing people 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience results oriented working excellent verbal and written English communication skillshigh level of self-motivation, independently design and implement experiments work in a multinational team. Knowledge of Italian is beneficial

27. Industry and Academic Interviews team playerin-vitro assay managing a team of researcher and techniciansbioanalytical method EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelinescell based bioassays and FACS analysis participation in multidisciplinary project teamscommunication with external experts collaboration partners and contract laboratoriesPhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunology - strong immunology background, experience in managing people 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience results oriented working excellent verbal and written English communication skillshigh level of self-motivation independently design and implement experiments work in a multinational team Knowledge of Italian is beneficial

28. Industry and Academic Interviews Team Work and Leadership team playermanaging a team of researcher and technicians participation in multidisciplinary project teams collaboration partners and contract laboratories experience in managing people work in a multinational team Technical and Field Specific in-vitro assaybioanalytical method cell based bioassays and FACS analysisPhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunology strong immunology background 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience independently design and implement experiments Other Results oriented working high level of self-motivation excellent verbal and written skillscommunication with external experts EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines Knowledge of Italian is beneficial

29. Industry and Academic Interviews Team Work and Leadership Co-authored paper, poster, talkAssisting others in lab Mentor intern, undergraduate, graduateCommittee work (professional society, PDA) Group work from class Technical and Field Specific This is your lab work, your science, your degree… ostensibly your passion Other Results oriented working & high level of self-motivation == Graduate school & postdoc training excellent verbal and written skills & communication with external experts == papers, talks, etc. EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines & knowledge of Italian is beneficial == two things your missing

30. Industry and Academic Interviews Common Questions To Answer/Ponder Why do you want to change careers? Why are you interested in our company? Why are you qualified for this position? What are your career goals, and how does this position fit into fulfilling those goals?

31. Industry and Academic Interviews Common Questions To Answer/Ponder Name a challenge. How did you address? What was the outcome? How have you taken the initiative in the past? What are your strengths and weaknesses Tell me about your research experience.

32. Industry and Academic Interviews

33. Academic interviews Universities, Research Hospitals, Institutions, some Federal Agencies Research and Education centers Expect you to generate funding Academic contribution (teaching, committee work)

34. Industry and Academic Interviews What You Will (probably) Do Meet with Faculty in the Department Meet with Faculty outside the Department Meet with Graduate Students & Postdocs Meet with Dean Give a research symposium (or two) Teach a class (maybe)

35. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Research Talk Keep talks short and general “Much too technical.” “Usually do not have the big picture.” “Inability to present information or respond to a broad audience”

36. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Research: Beyond your Talk Know your facts, and defend them Prepare step-by-step explanations of your future experiments Present alternative approaches you might also attempt Have a funding strategy prepared

37. Industry and Academic Interviews Your Preparation Show interest in the work of those you will be meeting Understand how your research might dove-tail with others Research the department, the programs, the students, facilities… before your arrive!

38. Industry and Academic Interviews Assess your Ability for Success Core facilities you will need? Lab space? Teaching load? Start up funds? Pool of qualified students, postdocs, lab technicians to staff lab?

39. Industry and Academic Interviews Success is the results of preparation, hard work, and learning from your past mistakes.