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“Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Getting That First Biotechnology

Job….And Then Some! ”

Clifford S. Mintz, Ph.D.

www.bioinsights.com

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University of Wisconsin (Ph.D.)

OHSU & Columbia University (Post docs)

University of Miami School of Medicine (Asst. Professor)

Transcell Technologies (Project Leader)

Middlesex County College (Chair,Biology Dept.)

Management Consultant

The Mintz Career Pathway

Cornell University (B.S.)

Entrepreneur

Prolong Pharmaceuticals

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Biotechnology Industry Statistics

• There are approximately 1,500 biopharmaceutical companies in the U.S. today

• Bioscience companies employ approximately 191,000 people and an additional 286,000 employees who work in companies that support the industry

• The market capitalization (total market value of publicly-traded U.S. bioscience companies) was $206 billion as of April 2003

• There are currently more than 370 bioscience drug products in various stages of clinical development in the U.S.

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Biotechnology Employment Trends

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Drug Development Process

Discovery

Development

Clinical Testing

Licensure

Marketing & Sales

Manufacturing

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Degree Requirements and Background

• Discovery-Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D. (science)• Development-Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D. (science)• Clinical Testing- RN, M.D. and other clinical

degrees• Licensure- Bachelors (business and science)• Manufacturing-Associates, Bachelors, Masters

(science or related fields)• Sales and Marketing-Bachelors (science and

business)

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Where the Jobs Are

• The biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostic industries are poised for expansive growth

• The need for employees is increasing the areas of:– Drug delivery – Formulation– Regulatory affairs– Business development– Clinical development– Manufacturing– Sales and Marketing

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Big Company vs. Small Company

• Large company offers:– Higher salaries– More job opportunities– Greater stability– Less creativity– Extremely structured– High bar for entry

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Big Company vs. Small Company (cont’d)

• Small company offers:– Lower salaries– Fewer job opportunities– Less stability– More creativity– Greater breadth of job responsibilities– More relaxed and free wheeling

atmosphere– Lower bar for entry

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Job Requirements and Parameters

• What do you want to do?• What are you really qualified to do?• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?• Where do you want to live?• What are your salary requirements?• Small, large or start your own company?

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Searching for Jobs

• Carefully organize and develop your resume– Format is variable– Must bring out all of your talents and assets– Must be thoroughly reviewed– Seek comments from professionals, colleagues, and

friends– May need to develop more than one– Keep it up to date

• Keep your search focused and in line with your needs• Be selective: do not apply for every job that you see• Do not work with more than one or two recruiters• Applying for jobs online may not be worth the

aggravation

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Interviewing Tips

• Schedule an interview at your convenience

• Allow enough time to get to the interview early; always be prompt if you cannot be early

• Bring extra copies of your resume with you

• Answers questions honestly and to the best of your ability; if you don’t know, say so!

• Never interrupt the interviewer when he/she is talking

• Never offer more information than is necessary

• Do not play the “name game”

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Interviewing Tips (cont’d)

• Develop a list of questions about the job, company etc. before the interview and ask them during the interview when appropriate

• Act professionally at all times even if you are in a casual setting or chatting “off the record”

• Be careful about alcohol consumption during meals; your behavior is always being evaluated; “loose lips, sink ships”

• “INTERVIEW TO WIN”

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Top 10 Interview Questions You Hate to Answer

6. Are you willing to relocate?

7. Why are you looking for a new job?

8. Tell me about your greatest achievements

9. Tell me about your most disappointing experience

10. Describe how you overcame adversity in your life

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Top 10 Interview Questions You Hate to Answer

1. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

2. What are your strengths?

3. What are your weaknesses?

4. Why this company and not our competitors?

5. May I contact your current employer?

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Exit Strategy and Follow Up

• Never discuss salary or any aspect of a possible offer unless you are talking to HR– If somebody asks your salary requirements tell them

that you are looking for a salary commensurate with my experience and qualifications

– If you are working with a recruiter, tell the interviewer that the recruiter will handle all questions an offer

• At the conclusion of the interview, ask when you can expect to hear about a possible job offer

• After the interview, write a short thank you note or e-mail message to each person who met during your interview

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Negotiating the Offer

• If an offer is going to be made, it typically occurs rapidly with in a few days or weeks after the interview

• Things that can be negotiated:– Salary– Stock options– Relocation costs– Starting date– Signing bonuses

• Things that cannot be negotiated:– Health benefits– Rank/title– Vacation time– Bonuses