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Preparing for an important interview-advice needed
After almost 9 months of trying (either applying directly or going through recruiters or temp agencies), I finally landed an interview with the big biotech company I've always wanted to work for! The job description is an excellent match with my background and I am super excited to have landed this interview.
The interview is next week. I'm very excited but also very (VERY) anxious! I know I need to chill and come down, it's hard! I've wanted this particular interview for so long and now that it's here, I want to make sure I don't mess it up.
I've been trying to read as much as I can about the company, their products, culture, values.... I've found some people writing about their experience interviewing at this biotech and how it's really hard to get into this company...
I've had 3 interviews in the last 2 months where I didn't hear anything afterwards. I don't know, perhaps I didn't do a good job at the interviews as I thought I did.
I'm certainly going to do a lot of talking to myself in front of the mirror and practicing and hopefully calm down by next week, but do you have any advice?
Of all the places I have interviewed at, this is the most important one to me so any advice that might help me is greatly appreciated!
Re: Preparing for an important interview-advice needed
Nothing but the basics:
Bring extra copies of your resume
Smile and shake hands with everyone you meet
Make sure to get contact info so you can send a TY ASAP
Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" or ask them to rephrase the question. Sometimes they want to see how you think through things.
Be prepared to answer situational questions ("Describe a time when X happened and how you handled/would have handled it")
Be prepared for that question from left field. An HR gal at a biotech company asked me to explain DNA to her. A statistician who apparently couldn't count asked why I'd been at my last 2 jobs only 18 months each (one was 4.5 years) and I think he was trying to see how argumentative I'd be. A medical director asked if I'd yell at him if he accidentally deleted an important document off of the company's server. A surgeon asked me my hobbies.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
Thank you Dr. Loretta! I'm nervous about the left field questions....
The only negative thing to my background is that I don't have GLP environment experience and it always comes up in a way. I am a little worried that they'd brush off my 9 years as a research associate because it was done in an academic setting, not a GLP environment. I did go through the regulatory affairs program and I am perfectly aware of GLP regulations even though I don't have hands on experience.
My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you have enough time to get there without feeling rushed.You never know when an accident can happen that can totally snarl up traffic.
Just be confident and smile and make lots of eye contact!
GL!
No one is truly prepared for left-field questions, so give yourself a few moments to think it through before you answer it.
And I think you answer re: GLP experience is fine. You haven't had any direct GLP experience, but you've been through an RA program and you are aware of the regulations, especially as they pertain to this company and its products (give examples if you can).
GL!
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
Late to the party-
I work in a GMP lab and an R&D lab. To me, GLP just means not being as sloppy as the reputation reserach labs sometimes live up to. Highlight good documentation practices and any experience writing and following procedures.
No amount of education could convince Betty to be nice to possums