1. Getting that fist biotech job: stories from a recent graduate*
Arturo Ramirez, PhD
RareCyte
October 9th, 2014
*Individual results may vary

2. Overview My background Graduate school experience My job at RareCyte
Industry vs Academia
The job search
Networking
Resume tips
Job interviews do’s/don’ts
Question and answer period

3. Who are you, why are you here?

4. My background, the early years
Born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico
Did undergrad in Mexico, BS in Chemistry (2004)
Always had a love of learning and understanding why things are the way they are and how the world works
Didn’t know about graduate school until college and didn’t know I wanted to go to graduate school until late in college
Decided to go to grad school before getting my first job so that the transition would be easier
Always loved Biology and was especially interested in cancer research for personal reasons
Had family in the Seattle area so applied to UW and really fell in love with the Hutch, was interested in applied research

5. Grad School experience
Impostor syndrome (but I’m finally cured)
Wanted a lab that had real life applications/impact on patients/technology development
Picked a lab based on the PI not only the project
Also wanted a lab that allowed me to have a life outside of lab
Kept my ears/eyes open to opportunities outside academia (Biosciences career seminars!), networking, participating in recruitment, volunteering

6. Graduate School project
Find novel early detection biomarkers of ovarian cancer in human serum
If you can find ovarian cancer early, you can cure it
Was going to cure cancer, maybe even win a Nobel prize
Something very applied
Had the possibility of helping patients and making a difference

7. scFv antibody libraries

8. Graduate School project

9. Antibody microarrays and reverse-phase arrays
unknown
known
unknown
known

10. Validate on tissue samples
10x
40x
Normal
Ovarian Cancer

11. To postdoc or not, that is the question
The year was 2004…
I knew I didn’t want to be a PI in academia
Would only consider a postdoc if it would give me experience that will increase my value to future employers
Couldn’t get excited about any postdoc projects when there was so much cool research done in industry
Took my time and applied to jobs, and applied and applied, and applied…
Over 100 job applications later, 6 phone interviews, 3 in-person interviews, 2 job offers, I had a job!!!
Originally was a tech job posting but they offered me a research scientist position

12. RareCyte experience
Was employee #6, small local company spun out of larger company
Liked the people, the project
The first few years were very fun
As we got bigger, job is more structured, more bureaucracy, more pressure
Teamwork is very important
4 years later we are 24 employees, have gotten several rounds of funding, are close to getting our first big contract
Had some experience managing people in grad school, have continued managing (not my favorite but a necessary part of the job)
Get to interact very closely with electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, software developers, MD, physicists, statisticians.
Creativity and tinkering are the norm, if it doesn’t exist yet, we build it

13. RareCyte workflow AccuCyte CyteFinder Imaging and analysis system
Semi-automated single-cell retrieval
Cell collection and slide preparation
Automated Staining

14. Limit of detection experiments
Used CytePicker to isolate individual PC3 tumor cells
Spiked 1-6 cells into 7.5 mL blood (4x10^10 RBC + 2x10^9 platelets + 5x10^7 WBC)
Processed using our methods and automated slide staining
Reviewer was blinded to number of spiked in cells
Number of cells added 1 2 3 5 6
Number of cells recovered 4
In 6 of 10 samples all cells identified
In 3 of 10 samples, N – 1 cells identified
In 1 of 10 samples, N – 2 cells identified
22/27 (81%) of the cells found
Limit of detection is 1 cell

15. Comparison on patient samples* * *
CellSearch
RareCyte
Mean prostate RareCyte count 80% higher than CellSearch

16. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* CTC cluster
cisplatin
crizotinib
eribulin

17. Clinical monitoring of triple-negative breast cancer (Tony Blau)CK
CD45
EpCAM
DAPI
Cluster of CTCs

18. Prostate cancer cell retrieval
Before picking
After picking

19. Academia vs Industry Academia Industry Goal: Producing knowledge
Goal: Producing a product
Working independently
Working in groups
Jobs are pretty safe
Jobs are not safe
Pay is low
Pay is high
Publishing is key
Completing projects is key
Love science
Lifestyle
Job (but have to have passion)
More basic
More translational or applied

20. Big company vs small company
More money
Less money
Less stock
More stock
More stability
Less stability
More bureaucracy
More flexibility
One specific job
Many jobs
Low risk/low reward
High risk/high reward
Small fish/big pond
Big fish/big pond
Less creativity
More creativity

21. Publishing for jobs in Industry
Nature paper vs lab experience

22. Skills that are important in biotech
Stats
Programming
Immunology
High throughput screening
Mouse models
Flow cytometry
ELISA
Protein expression/purification
Analytical techniques
Molecular biology

23. The job search When should I start looking?
The last year of grad school is like chasing a rainbow
Be prepared to start ASAP
Useful sites:
Salary.com
job.com
jobfox.com
monster.com
biospace.com
nwjobs.com
sciencecareers.com
biocareercenter.com
careerbuilder.com
healthcarejobsite.com
sciencecareersite.com
seattlejobs.com
hotresume.com

24. Networking US Dept. of Labor:
5% of job seekers get job through the open job market (help wanted ads, internet and print publications). But it worked for me!
24% through cold calling companies
23% through employment agencies, college career services and executive search firms
48% through referrals, “word of mouth”, and networking
Adapted from Salary.com

25. Networking Start now, not when you need a job
Tell your story, be confident
Get the message out: I’m open to new opportunities
Let people know what you have to offer
Each networking endeavor is a sales pitch
Practice your elevator pitch
Consider answers to common questions
Adapted from Salary.com

26. Networking Don’t be shy, sell yourself
What are your most important values, passions and skills
Networks: family, friends, classmates, religious groups, sports teams, volunteer groups, school, past employers, professional societies
Help people, you never know when you will need the favor in return
Adapted from Salary.com

27. Networking Don’t be pushy, be polite and tactful Say please, thank you
Go out to conferences, lectures, be an advocate for yourself
Send one a week to past contacts to keep the relationship going
Say yes to give talks, presenting posters, job shadows, talking at schools, science fair judging
Volunteer
Don’t burn bridges with past employers
Join professional organizations, alumni associations, Linked-In
Adapted from Salary.com

28. Networking Do informational interviews: Don’t ask for a job
Learn about their job and look for contacts
How/why did you get into your industry?
What skills are most in demand?
What types of jobs are hot and how to find them?
Have business card and resume on hand
Adapted from Salary.com

29. Resume Tips
Competition is fierce, stand out, after 3 or 4 they all look the same
Be passionate, why are you the best fit for this job
Tailor your resume to each job application (also cover letter)
Types: Chronological (preferred), Functional (focuses on skills and abilities, use if you are changing fields), Combination
Use design/format that highlights most important info
Mention experience, skills and education that directly relates to this job (no hobbies)
Easy to read, not too crowded, one font type, use bold and italics to highlight
Adapted from Salary.com

30. Resume Tips Don’t include age, height, weight, marital status
Keep it to 1 page or 2 max (less is more)
Grammar, punctuation and spelling must be perfect (shows attention to detail, give it to others to proofread)
The objective (optional) should be 1-2 sentences. Don’t be generic and broad, be specific, make it reflect the job posting
Adapted from Salary.com

31. Resume Tips Experience
List employers, job location, dates, job titles, description of tasks, accomplishments and skills
Use reverse order
Only include the most important info on each position
Quantify whenever possible, use numbers (e.g. increased output of protein production by 30%)
List key contributions & achievements
Find and use key words from job advertisement (computer algorithms love this)
Adapted from Salary.com

32. Resume Tips Education Dates of attendance, majors, minors, degrees
Use reverse order
Additional coursework if relevant (professional development)
List unique talents or specialized skills in hot demand in the field
Adapted from Salary.com

33. Resume Tips Awards Presentations at conferences
These are “eye catchers” that set you apart
Symbolize accomplishment, skill and leadership
Presentations at conferences
Your resume should go back years max unless very applicable to current job
Address gaps in your work history
If you currently don’t have a job, consider volunteering to show ambition
Do research on line to find examples of resume formats that you like
Can use resume preparation services
Keep it updated
Have it easily available in print and electronic format
Adapted from Salary.com

34. 7 things to do before a job interview
Do your prep work
Company knows all about you, you should know all about them (this got me my current job)
Lets them know you are interested
Find out who is in charge, what they do, history, annual reports, press releases
Allows you to show them how you can fit into their organization and make a difference
Adapted from Salary.com

35. 7 things to do before a job interview
Get social
Use Google, Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In to find out more about the company and connect with them
Be smart about what info on you is available to potential employers
Adapted from Salary.com

36. 7 things to do before a job interview
Investigate the company culture
Do you want to work there?
People are more important than project
Try to connect with someone already there
The RareCyte culture (small company, good people are important)
Good question to ask during the interview
Adapted from Salary.com

37. 7 things to do before a job interview
Know every inch of your resume
Be prepared to explain everything you have done
Be careful with “embellishing” your experience
Never criticize past employers or coworkers (in interviews as in dating, it looks bad)
Why did you leave that job after 6 months?
Why didn’t you finish your graduate degree?
What were your job responsibilities 5 years ago?
How will the courses you took help this company?
Adapted from Salary.com

38. 7 things to do before a job interview
Practice your interview
Have answers ready for the tough questions
What is your biggest weakness?
Why are you leaving your current job?
Out of the box questions like what is your favorite author?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Use personal anecdotes and not generic answers
Do role play with a partner
Adapted from Salary.com

39. 7 things to do before a job interview
Prepare questions of your own
Shows interest, preparedness
Helps you make a decision of if you want to work there
Don’t ask about money/benefits (if they ask you, be vague, first party to throw a number out usually looses)
Ask about expectations, job responsibilities, next steps in the interview process, how performance is evaluated, who will your direct supervisor be and what is their management style
Adapted from Salary.com

40. 7 things to do before a job interview
Primp to prepare
Make a good first impression
Be overdressed
Be confident
Don’t be flashy or too revealing
Look in the mirror right before the interview
Get there early
Memorize names/positions of who will interview you
Adapted from Salary.com

41. 9 things to never say in a job interview
Sorry I’m late..
How much does this job pay? (Salary.com has resources to give you a good guess on what they will pay)
What is your vacation policy?
I browsed your website a little bit… (prepare, it will make the difference)
My biggest weakness? I work too hard
Pick something not too bad/relevant to your job
Tell them how you are working on this issue
Adapted from Salary.com

42. 9 things to never say in a job interview
My last boss/coworker was a jerk…
Highlight positives
Tell them you want to find a company/job that fits your needs/interests
I wasn’t challenged enough at my last job
Focus on what you can bring to the table
When are you making your final decision, because I have several job interviews lined up
Could help or hurt
Depending on size of company, hiring could take a while
Usually once they make an offer, they want you to start ASAP
Adapted from Salary.com

43. 9 things to never say in a job interview
I just need a job
Desperation, in a job as in dating, is not attractive
Shows lack of interest in the job
My mistake, not knowing where I found the job posting
Hiring is expensive and takes a lot of time away from busy schedules
Turnover costs are high
There is pressure to find the right candidate
Adapted from Salary.com

44. Questions to ask during an interview
Shows preparation
Show interest
Shows confidence (two way street)
Increases the chance your actually love your job
Adapted from Salary.com

45. Questions to ask during an interview
What opportunities for professional growth are available
Attending conferences, courses, publishing papers
How will my work be evaluated?
What opportunities for growth within the company are available (be cautious)?
What is your favorite thing about working for this company?
What do you like the least about this company?
If this position was left vacant after someone left, what were the reasons for this?
Adapted from Salary.com

46. Questions to ask during an interview
What percent of my time is going to be on the bench vs managing, meetings, writing reports, traveling, etc.?
This could change over time
The more education/experience, the less time on the bench
Adapted from Salary.com

47. Questions to ask during an interview
What type of training do your managers receive?
This person will be your best ally/worst enemy and will have great power to advance your career
Make sure you feel a good connection/similar philosophy with your manager (hands on/off)
Adapted from Salary.com

48. Questions?
If you don’t have any, you weren’t paying attention