Industry and Academic Interviews
ScienceCareers.org Workshop
Industry vs Academic Interviews
Harvard Medical School
April 18, 2023
Garth A Fowler, Ph.D. Outreach Program Manager
ScienceCareers.org
Industry and Academic Interviews
Science’s online career resource
http://www.sciencecareers.org
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
Industry and Academic Interviews
Industry and Academic Interviews
Common Mistakes!
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50% Little or no knowledge about thecompany
Unprepared to discuss skills andabilities
Unprepared to discuss career goals
Limited enthusiam
Lack of eye contact
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.
Industry and Academic Interviews
Your Conference Talk
Communicate How to do it:Motivation Understand How the CNS Intergrates Visual Information
Information Processing during Smooth PursuitLocus of visual attention during Smooth Pursuit
What You Did Outline What you didExplain the Experiments in Sufficient Detail
Interpretation Show Your Data -- Simple & Straightforward
Future Directions What would you do nextPreview of the experiment, expected results
Industry and Academic Interviews
Your Interview!
Communicate How to do it:Motivation Work at NSF/Become a P.I.
Science Policy AdvisorSchool of Medicine Professor at XYZ U
What You Did Your training Your ResearchWhat You Learned *NOT JUST YOUR SCIENCE SKILLS*
Interpretation How the above matches what they want -- Simple & Straightforward
Future Directions What would you do next (at this institution or company) -- Stay within the confines of the current job description
Industry and Academic Interviews
Your Interview!
Communicate How to do it:Motivation Work at NSF/Become a P.I.
Science Policy AdvisorSchool of Medicine Professor at XYZ U
What You Did Your training Your ResearchWhat You Learned *NOT JUST YOUR SCIENCE SKILLS*
Interpretation How the above matches what they want -- Simple & Straightforward
Future Directions What would you do next (at this institution or company) -- Stay within the confines of the current job description
Industry and Academic Interviews
Your Interview!
Communicate How to do it:Motivation Work at NSF/Become a P.I.
Science Policy AdvisorSchool of Medicine Professor at XYZ U
What You Did Your training Your ResearchWhat You Learned *NOT JUST YOUR SCIENCE SKILLS*
Interpretation How the above matches what they want -- Simple & Straightforward
Future Directions What would you do next (at this institution or company) -- Stay within the confines of the current job description
Industry and Academic Interviews
Your Interview!
Communicate How to do it:Motivation Work at NSF/Become a P.I.
Science Policy AdvisorSchool of Medicine Professor at XYZ U
What You Did Your training Your ResearchWhat You Learned *NOT JUST YOUR SCIENCE SKILLS*
Interpretation How the above matches what they want -- Simple & Straightforward
Future Directions What would you do next (at this institution or company) -- Stay within the confines of the current job description
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?
Industry and Academic Interviews
Present Thyself
This is your first impression!
Know your qualifications (and be able to defend them)
Sell yourself, with integrity
Industry and Academic Interviews
Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice (out loud)
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?
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
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
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).
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!
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.”
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.
Industry and Academic Interviews
Your Job Interview
Academia Industry
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
Industry and Academic Interviews
Scientific Training is more than just ‘science’
Problem Solving
IndependenceCritical Thinking
Computational/AnalyticalMathematical
Goal Oriented
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
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
Industry and Academic Interviews
team player in-vitro assaymanaging a team of researcher and technicians bioanalytical methodEMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines cell based bioassays and FACS analysisparticipation in multidisciplinary project teams communication with external expertscollaboration partners and contract laboratories PhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunology - strong immunology background, experience in managing people 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience results oriented workingexcellent verbal and written English communication skills high level of self-motivation, independently design and implement experiments work in a multinational team. Knowledge of Italian is beneficial
Industry and Academic Interviews
team player in-vitro assaymanaging a team of researcher and technicians bioanalytical methodEMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines cell based bioassays and FACS analysisparticipation in multidisciplinary project teams communication with external expertscollaboration partners and contract laboratories PhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunology - strong immunology background, experience in managing people 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience results oriented workingexcellent verbal and written English communication skills high level of self-motivation independently design and implement experiments work in a multinational team Knowledge of Italian is beneficial
Industry and Academic Interviews
Team Work and Leadershipteam player managing 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 Specificin-vitro assay bioanalytical methodcell based bioassays and FACS analysis PhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunologystrong immunology background 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience independently design and implement experiments
OtherResults oriented working high level of self-motivation excellent verbal and written skills communication with external experts EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines Knowledge of Italian is beneficial
Industry and Academic Interviews
Team Work and LeadershipCo-authored paper, poster, talk Assisting others in labMentor intern, undergraduate, graduate Committee work (professional society, PDA)Group work from class
Technical and Field SpecificThis is your lab work, your science, your degree… ostensibly your passion
OtherResults oriented working & high level of self-motivation == Graduate school & postdoc trainingexcellent 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
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?
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.
Industry and Academic Interviews
Industry and Academic Interviews
Academic interviews
Universities, Research Hospitals, Institutions, some Federal Agencies
Research and Education centers
Expect you to generate funding
Academic contribution (teaching, committee work)
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)
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”
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
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!
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?
Industry and Academic Interviews
Success is the results of preparation, hard work, and learning from your past
mistakes.