Mifirst job interview in the industryIt was a call to the HR manager of a large biopharmaceutical company.
I was still in the middle of my PhD and didn't have much time to prepare.
As a result, I spent very little time preparing.
I actually took the call in the middle of an 8 hour microscopy imaging session.
I set a timer for 30 minutes, turned on the automatic controls, and headed into my manager's office next door.
I was more focused on whether my copy was blurry than on what the hiring manager had to say.
I was receptive but not really present.
She asked some standard questions:
"Tell me about yourself."
"Why are you interested in this role?"
"Why do you think you're a good fit?"
"When will you be available to start?"
I thought I was fine but it was starting to encroach on my 30 minute time slot.
I didn't want to throw away my 8 hour experiment.
came to theEnd of Interviewsand she asked:
"Do you have any questions for me?"
"No, I think I understand everything. Thanks for the call!"
give click.
I never heard from the company again.
(Side note: the experiment failed despite my desperate attempts to be on time.)
He turned down a hiring manager for a job he wanted for an experiment that failed anyway.
That's right, I basically ruled out a high-paying position because I didn't want to start my experiment a little later.
And of course the real reason I didn't want to start my experiment a little later was because I was worried about what my supervisor would think.
However, he was confused.
I racked my brains about how everything had gone wrong.
I approachedalternative career counselorand reproduces the scene.
When he pointed out my mistakes, everything became perfectly clear.
After 29 minutes of successfully answering your questions, I screwed up the last few seconds.
By not asking questions, I came across as uninterested, ill-prepared, and uninformed.
Of course that wasn't true.
Not only was I interested, I had done my homework.
I had read about the company, its goals and the job itself.
But there was no way the hiring manager could know that.
I completely missed my chance because I was so focused on my time limit and I didn't commit.
I wasted his time and mine.
I startedResearch interview questionsat every step of the interview to make sure I never looked so unprepared again.
Why Doctors Should Ask Questions in Interviews
A common misconception about industry interviews is that they are a one-way conversation.
In fact, it's like any other conversation: two-way.
It's a dialogue that you can participate in.
This is your opportunity to gather information and learn more about the company straight from the source.
You get a coveted place: you have the interview.
Being prepared with questions shows that you are taking this seriously and with respect.
after alearn forglass door, the average general interview takes 22.9 days longer in the US and 4-9 days longer in France, Germany and the UK.
The increasing complexity of job interviews, including panel discussions, candidate introductions, background checks, competency tests and more, is having a positive impact on these times.
It's exhausting, both for you and for the hiring manager.
It's important that you use this time wisely to evaluate the company and show your true colors.
Otherwise it's wasted time.
You need to ask questions that highlight and encourage your strengthstransferrable skills.
Self-promotion increases interview effectiveness, says study published byHRM Review Magazin, as well as establishing an easy relationship with the interviewer.
You have to get inside the head of the hiring manager - he wants to see that you really understand this role and are really looking forward to it.
Because for Candidate 20, Hour 30, General Answer Number 55, candidates will be confused and what they're really thinking is, "Is it time for lunch yet?"
Along with "Let's get this over with" and "More on!"
The only way to test your motivation is to ask probing questions.
Pique their interest and make yourself memorable by actively participating in your own interview.
Prepare for questions to ask any hiring manager before, during, and after your industry interviews.
What interview questions to ask before, during and after an industry interview
It is not enough to show interest in prior knowledge.
You have to prove it.
If you don't want to be part of the blurry line of applicants, you'll need to invest to show you've done your research.
This also ensures that you can make an informed decision on whether or not you want to do thisaccept a job offer.
As a PhD scientist, he knows how to do research and is clearly smart and driven.
If it doesn't come up in the interview, it won't stand out.
Preparing for the interview is the key to success.
Here's a list of questions to prepare you for your next industry interview...
1. Questions to ask before the interview begins.
You have received a confirmation email.
Unbelievable! Yes!
You are invited to a site visit.
I'll bring it. um...
Many doctors are afraid to show up for an on-site visit and have to interact with multiple professionals in a single day.
They are afraid of asking unintelligent questions and looking like amateurs.
In fact, if you don't ask questions, it looks like an amateur.
This is not science, this is the new terrain of the industry, this is a completely different league.
Asking the right questions before an interview will help you prepare properly and ensure you don't make any serious mistakes on the big day.
This will also help calm your pre-interview nervousness.
If you are dealing with aBusiness-Recruiteror with a hiring manager, the following questions are perfectly acceptable.
You can ask via email or call them for an immediate response that will make the most impact (and inspire trust).
who will i meet
A panel interview with five scientists to the head of human resources requires a completely different preparation.
The first suggests that technical questions may be the focus of the interview, while the second suggests that basic questions about testimonials, experience, and motivation may be available.
Is there anything I should know about the interview format?
Presentations, case studies, personality tests.
These are all possible interview formats that can be used, so it's best to ask beforehand so nothing comes as a surprise.
How much time should I plan for the interview?
When you're researching and interviewing at the same time, it's important to know how much time to allocate so you don't feel rushed to work (although you shouldn't, it's more important!).
Is there anything I should know to get there? Will my travel plans be reimbursed?
This is a question many doctors overlook, but it can help you avoid one of the biggest mistakes you can make on interview day: being late.
If you know the office has moved or the entrance is only accessible from the back of the building, you won't feel rushed on interview day.
If you require significant travel (train, plane or otherwise) for the interview, it is also acceptable to ask politely if you are reimbursed for your travel expenses.
These questions can be directed to the person responsible for scheduling your interview, who may or may not be the hiring manager.
Finally, you can request alternative times for the meeting.
Remember, this is a two-way conversation.
This interview could be your dream job at your dream company, but remember that when they interview you, they are also interested in you and your candidacy.
If the interview schedule conflicts with your honeymoon or major surgery, it is acceptable to request alternate appointment times, and you should do the same.
Here's a script you can use:
Dear [hiring manager or recruiter],
Thank you for the opportunity to interview [insert dream role]. Unfortunately, I am not available at the suggested time. However, I have [suggest two or three dates and times] off and can be flexible on [two or three other dates and times other commitments may change]. Please let me know if any of these times work for you.
Compliment,
[Your Ideal Candidate, also known as YOU]
2. Questions to ask during the interview.
You are outside!
It happens.
The interview is in progress.
Asking questions during an interview shows that you have done your research about the company and are using the information you were able to get from public sources.
It also shows that you have a strong interest in the company and a strong oneKnowledge of industry trends.
He's not just desperate for a job... any job.
From your point of view, you collect information to form an opinion about whether you want to work for the company or not.
Remember to be professional in your questions instead of being overly critical or questioning.
Ask questions that will benefit you (and the company).
For example:
I see on your website that you make drug X. Are these drugs developed exclusively in company Y or are they also developed elsewhere and then licensed to Y?
Ö
I've read that the company's overall growth has doubled in the last five years with good inventories, so this is a good time to work at X, but how do you think R&D has been impacted?
Other questions may be of a more general nature to assess the business environment and the role it will play.
What defines success in this position? What are the biggest challenges in this role? What is the biggest problem for your team? Would you be able to help him solve this problem?
All of these questions show the interviewer that you not only want the role, you want to be successful in it.
If they share some challenges with you, this is your chance to work out some solutions, if not on the spot then in your subsequent thank you note.
What skills and experience would make an ideal candidate?
If the interview responds witha transferrable skillthat hasn't been mentioned yet, now is your chance to tell them how you developed it.
Can you tell me something about the team I will be working with?
ask questions about thatteam culture, or the management structure of the organization helps you to understand if the work environment fits the way you work and is successful.
Is there an example of a newly hired job seeker who has integrated well into the company culture? What have you done?
Don't forget to ask where this position will take you...
What is the career path for this position?
These questions show the interviewer that you are interested in the future of the company and your future at the company.
One of the biggest problems hiring managers face is employee retention.
You want to hire someone who cares about the company and its ideals.
3. Questions to ask after the interview.
Take a deep breath.
Your heart can now return to its normal rhythm: the interview is over.
A strategic (and very smart) question to ask at the end of any interview is:
Do you have any questions or concerns about me as a candidate?
This last question is a great way to clear up any misunderstandings and give the interviewer an opportunity to address any concerns that may have arisen during the interview.
Once you're done and before you head out the door, you'll want to set the decision timeline.
This keeps you from endlessly wondering why you haven't heard from them and prepares you for the next stages.
What is the next step in the interview? When can I expect to hear from you?
If you have special circumstances, e.g. For example, if you want flexible working hours, require a visa or cannot work in the first two weeks of July because your sister is getting married, etc., save these for later.
These are NOT post-interview questions.
If you bring up these topics at the end of the interview, hiring managers might question your motivation for the job as it reflects a lack of focus on the job itself.
It is conjectural and premature.
Don't give them a reason to look at another candidate.
It may seem odd or unfair, but it's a known bias.
Wait until you have an offer on the table as proof they've already decided they want you, and at that point negotiate with a head start.
After the interview, write down the relevant points to be addressed in your follow-up process.
When invited to an on-site visit, only one or two job seekers stand between you and the job posting. During your visit to the website, you must express your legitimate interest in the position. The only way to do that is to prepare the right questions to ask before, during, and after the interview. Asking the right questions impresses hiring managers and also helps them assess your suitability for the job and the company.
When you're ready to begin your transition into the industry, you can request a free transition call with our founder, Isaiah Hankel, PhD, or one of our transition specialists.Request a transition call here.