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• INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWING

WORKSHOPWORKSHOP

– May 15May 15thth, 2004, 2004

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Tools for Successful Tools for Successful InterviewingInterviewing

• Luc Teyton, M.D., Ph.D.Luc Teyton, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor, Department of Associate Professor, Department of ImmunologyImmunologyThe Scripps Research InstituteThe Scripps Research Institute

• Mary Yaroshevsky-GlanvilleMary Yaroshevsky-GlanvilleSenior Director, Human CapitalSenior Director, Human CapitalAnadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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IntroductionIntroduction

• Preparation for various aspects of the Preparation for various aspects of the recruiting and hiring processrecruiting and hiring process

• Topics will include:Topics will include:– Culture of biotech vs. large pharmaceutical Culture of biotech vs. large pharmaceutical

companies, private vs. publiccompanies, private vs. public– Where to look for jobsWhere to look for jobs– How to prepare for the screening interviewHow to prepare for the screening interview– Sample questionsSample questions– What to expect from the company on-site What to expect from the company on-site

interviewinterview

• Academia vs. industryAcademia vs. industry

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Biotech Company CultureBiotech Company Culture

• Fast-pacedFast-paced• ChangeableChangeable• More opportunity for creativity, More opportunity for creativity,

innovation, and making a differenceinnovation, and making a difference• Job is wide in scope - various areas of Job is wide in scope - various areas of

responsibilityresponsibility• Limited financial resourcesLimited financial resources

– May lack stabilityMay lack stability

• Publicly traded companies are more Publicly traded companies are more established than Privateestablished than Private

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Large Pharmaceutical Large Pharmaceutical Company CultureCompany Culture

• Plentiful financial resources/company Plentiful financial resources/company stabilitystability

• Reputation is well knownReputation is well known• StructuredStructured• May be slower paced/slower decisionsMay be slower paced/slower decisions• Job may be more limited in scope and Job may be more limited in scope and

have a very specific job descriptionhave a very specific job description• You will have limited impact You will have limited impact

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Where to look for JOBS in Where to look for JOBS in IndustryIndustry

• Biospace.comBiospace.com• Company WebsitesCompany Websites• Jobscience.comJobscience.com• Sciencejobs.comSciencejobs.com• Chemjobs.orgChemjobs.org• New ScientistNew Scientist• Conference WebsitesConference Websites

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Know YourselfKnow Yourself

• What kind of position, company, and What kind of position, company, and culture are you seeking?culture are you seeking?

• What is most important to you What is most important to you (challenge, environment, mentorship, (challenge, environment, mentorship, pay, security)?pay, security)?

• Are you a team player or prefer to work Are you a team player or prefer to work alone?alone?

• What are your long and short-term What are your long and short-term goals?goals?– How do these fit with the job opportunity?How do these fit with the job opportunity?

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Know Yourself (Continued)Know Yourself (Continued)

• Why are you the best candidate?Why are you the best candidate?• What are your strengths and areas What are your strengths and areas

that need development?that need development?• What can you bring to the What can you bring to the

organization?organization?

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Hiring ProcessHiring Process

• Candidate sends resume to Candidate sends resume to company (e-copy is preferred)company (e-copy is preferred)

• Human Resources (HR) reviews Human Resources (HR) reviews resume and sends it to the hiring resume and sends it to the hiring managermanager

• Hiring manager selects the best Hiring manager selects the best candidatescandidates– May do some reference checking at May do some reference checking at

this pointthis point

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Hiring Process (Continued)Hiring Process (Continued)

• Screening interview by HR or Screening interview by HR or department (may be telephone department (may be telephone interview)interview)

• Second interview is in person and at the Second interview is in person and at the company (usually all day)company (usually all day)– Scientific presentationScientific presentation– Multiple interviewsMultiple interviews

• Formal reference checkingFormal reference checking• Offer/NegotiationOffer/Negotiation

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Purpose of the Screening Purpose of the Screening InterviewInterview

• Verify facts about your experience and Verify facts about your experience and qualificationsqualifications

• Explore your:Explore your:– CompetencyCompetency– Communication skillsCommunication skills– MotivationMotivation– Ability to work on a teamAbility to work on a team– Flexibility/versatilityFlexibility/versatility

• Immigration statusImmigration status• Relocation needsRelocation needs

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Preparation for the Preparation for the Screening InterviewScreening Interview

• Know your resumeKnow your resume• Know your accomplishments, skills, and Know your accomplishments, skills, and

abilitiesabilities• Be able to provide specific examples and Be able to provide specific examples and

situationssituations• Expect a question asking your salary Expect a question asking your salary

requirementsrequirements• Prepare a minimum of 2 questions to ask Prepare a minimum of 2 questions to ask

interviewerinterviewer– Make sure the questions reflect your interest Make sure the questions reflect your interest

in and knowledge of the companyin and knowledge of the company

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Interview at the Company – Interview at the Company – What to ExpectWhat to Expect

• Technical PresentationTechnical Presentation– Know your dataKnow your data– Know your audienceKnow your audience– Be prepared for tough questionsBe prepared for tough questions

• All day processAll day process• Lunch (this is another interview)Lunch (this is another interview)• Questions that will probe your “fit” with Questions that will probe your “fit” with

organization and work teamorganization and work team• DinnerDinner

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First ImpressionsFirst Impressions

• First 5 minutes of interview are First 5 minutes of interview are extremely importantextremely important– Firm handshake – don’t be limp!Firm handshake – don’t be limp!– Smile and look interviewer in the eyeSmile and look interviewer in the eye

• Address interviewer as Dr. or Mr./Ms.Address interviewer as Dr. or Mr./Ms.– Do not address interviewer by first name Do not address interviewer by first name

unless invitedunless invited

• Wait to be asked to sit downWait to be asked to sit down

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Grooming/AttireGrooming/Attire

• Professional/conservativeProfessional/conservative• Dress for interview, not a day on Dress for interview, not a day on

the jobthe job• Clothes clean and pressedClothes clean and pressed• Avoid spicy foods before interviewAvoid spicy foods before interview

– Cannot chew gum during interview to Cannot chew gum during interview to overcome the spicy foodsovercome the spicy foods

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Tips for WomenTips for Women

• Dress suit, pantsuit, or other Dress suit, pantsuit, or other business attirebusiness attire

• No perfumeNo perfume• Jewelry – avoid anything that Jewelry – avoid anything that

jinglesjingles• Conservative, comfortable shoesConservative, comfortable shoes• Pantyhose without runsPantyhose without runs

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Tips for MenTips for Men

• Suit or jacket, or neat shirt and Suit or jacket, or neat shirt and slacksslacks

• No cologneNo cologne• Avoid any toiletries that have a Avoid any toiletries that have a

scent (deodorant or after-shave)scent (deodorant or after-shave)

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General TipsGeneral Tips

• Be prepared for a variety of Be prepared for a variety of questionsquestions– Provide organized, concise, and clear Provide organized, concise, and clear

answersanswers

• Have knowledge about the Have knowledge about the organizationorganization

• Show interest in the organizationShow interest in the organization

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More General TipsMore General Tips

• Be confident, but not over Be confident, but not over confidentconfident

• Convey energy and enthusiasmConvey energy and enthusiasm– Make sure your body language does Make sure your body language does

not send a different messagenot send a different message

• Be honestBe honest• Be professionalBe professional

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Types of QuestionsTypes of Questions

• Technical/competencyTechnical/competency• Fact-finding/historyFact-finding/history• Open-ended questions (tell me Open-ended questions (tell me

about yourself)about yourself)• Why did you …?Why did you …?• Behavioral questionsBehavioral questions

– Situation, action, and resultSituation, action, and result

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Sample QuestionsSample Questions

• Give me an example of a complex Give me an example of a complex communication problem that you faced.communication problem that you faced.

• Give me an example of your Give me an example of your involvement in a team effort that failed.involvement in a team effort that failed.– What role did you play?What role did you play?– What factors led to the failure?What factors led to the failure?

• Describe your planning processDescribe your planning process– How did you plan your last experiment?How did you plan your last experiment?

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Still More Sample Still More Sample QuestionsQuestions

• What criteria will you use to analyze our What criteria will you use to analyze our company?company?

• What would keep you from joining this What would keep you from joining this organization?organization?

• Now that you have more information Now that you have more information about this position, what do you think about this position, what do you think would be a challenge?would be a challenge?

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On-Site Interview TipsOn-Site Interview Tips

• Presentation must be excellent in Presentation must be excellent in content and deliverycontent and delivery– Bring a backup to your soft file, just in case Bring a backup to your soft file, just in case

equipment does not workequipment does not work

• Make sure there are no errorsMake sure there are no errors– Spell check and ask someone else to proof itSpell check and ask someone else to proof it

• You must handle questions wellYou must handle questions well• Be sure you understand the job Be sure you understand the job

responsibilities and advancement responsibilities and advancement potentialpotential

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More On-Site Interview More On-Site Interview TipsTips

• Know the company and ask questions that Know the company and ask questions that will help you decide if this is the right job will help you decide if this is the right job and organization for youand organization for you

• Be courteous and professional to everyone Be courteous and professional to everyone (the Receptionist and Administrative (the Receptionist and Administrative Assistant may be asked for their Assistant may be asked for their impressions of you)impressions of you)

• Good table manners at lunch and dinnerGood table manners at lunch and dinner• Ask about timing of decision and/or next Ask about timing of decision and/or next

stepstep

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After the Interview (What After the Interview (What Happens Next)Happens Next)

• Send a thank you note(s)Send a thank you note(s)• Formal reference checkingFormal reference checking• Decision is madeDecision is made

– Offer/NegotiationOffer/Negotiation– You will receive a regret telephone You will receive a regret telephone

call or lettercall or letter– Be tactful – you may be considered for Be tactful – you may be considered for

another positionanother position

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ConclusionConclusion

• Be preparedBe prepared• Be confident of your abilities and Be confident of your abilities and

experienceexperience• Be your best, but be yourself!Be your best, but be yourself!

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Questions?Questions?