Was part of a presentation at a local ECS chapter meeting, where I discussed the interviewing process and tips regarding what to do and what not to do in preparation and during an interview

1. Research Triangle ECS Student Chapter Spring Kickoff
2/18/16
By Pine Research Instrumentation

2. Who We Are?
Marion Jones Tim Paschkewitz Alex Peroff
• Sales Manager
• Worked at Pine for 8
years
• Electroanalytical
Sales Scientist
• Worked at Pine for 4
years
• Electroanalytical
Sales Scientist
• Worked at Pine for
1.5 months!
INTERVIEWER VETERAN INTERVIEWEE

3. The Interview
Large Company Medium Company Small Company/Startup
• + 500 employees
• Fortune 500
companies
• Publicly traded
• Intel, 3M, BASF, Dow
etc.
• ~20 – 500 employees
• Main street
• Privately owned
• < 20 employees
• Tech start-ups
• Niche market

4. The Interview
Large Company Medium Company Small Company/Startup
• Extensive interview
process (PhD)
• HR/technical phone
interview
• On-site interview
(PhD gives talk)
• Typically will visit
schools to recruit
• Similar to large
companies
• Sometimes have HR
phone interview
• On-site interview
• Online job postings
• Most likely one on-
site interview with
boss
• No HR interview

5. Interview at Pine
HR phone interview Skype Technical Interview On-Site Interview
• Had all documents
with me.
• Prepared and
reviewed sample
questions.
• Made sure there were
no distractions.
• Studied up on
company.
• Reviewed echem
• Studied marketing
and sales.
• Prepared a presentation,
practiced and modified for
company.
• Presentation needed to be
suitable for a general
audience (not everybody
was a chemist).

6. A different take on the interview
• Body language is very important
and cannot be faked.
• If you are genuinely interesting in
the company and the job your
interview will go well.
• Don’t apply to jobs you are
not interested in.
• Take time on the application.
• Confidence

7. What to do prior to your Interview
 Answer emails in a
timely manner.
 Read the directions for
the application process.

8.  If English isn’t your native
language (and if it is) have
someone read over your
resume.
 Also, no personal
information on your
resume.
What to do prior to your Interview

9. What to do during your Interview
 Wear dress clothes to
the interview.
 If you have a presentation,
attempt to show employers
how you would use their
equipment.

10. What NOT to do during your Interview
 Show up to interview
and tell interviewer you
haven’t prepared at all.
 Curse during the
interview.

11. What NOT to do during your Interview
 Talk about how much
alcohol you consume
on the weekend.
 Drink before you go to
you interview.

12. What to do during your Interview
 If your employer takes
you to a meal you are
being interviewed.
 Be honest with what
you know and don’t
know.

13. Transitioning between Grad school
and Industry
As a Graduate Student As an Industry Professional
• I was taught to be independent,
master of my science.
• I must work collaboratively and
share my skills with a team.

14. Transitioning between Grad school
and Industry
As a Graduate Student As an Industry Professional
• I set my own schedule and worked
hard in a manner of my own
choosing.
• My schedule is no longer my own
and I have to be flexible to work
according to a company schedule.

15. Transitioning between Grad school
and Industry
As a Graduate Student As an Industry Professional
• Novel electrochemistry was viewed
as an exciting and untapped
opportunity. It was practical to
invest and study the unknown, even
if it may take months to years.
• Novel electrochemistry is harnessed and
focused to practical and timely delivery
of a product. Chasing after “what could
be” is less favorable to developing “what
is known to be possible”

16. Transitioning between Grad school
and Industry
As a Graduate Student As an Industry Professional
• I was taught never to say, “I don’t
know…” but instead offer a
possible explanation.
• It is better to admit you do not
know something than to spend
time pondering about
possibilities.

17. Transitioning between Grad school
and Industry
As a Graduate Student As an Industry Professional
• Life revolved around my research.
It was not uncommon to work 50+
hour weeks while supporting
myself on a graduate stipend.
• Industry operates under tight deadlines.
It is not uncommon to work 50+ hour
weeks. However, monetary
compensation is significantly higher and
a work-life balance can be achieved.

18. Transitioning between Grad school
and Industry
As a Graduate Student As an Industry Professional
• It is expected that I defended my
position on just about anything, from
research data to alternative analyses,
to how to draft a paper with my
advisor and lab peers.
• It is expected that I follow established
protocols and professionally discuss
alternative strategies, but no defense
necessary. It is rarely appropriate to
challenge you boss.

19. Transitioning between Grad school
and Industry
As a Graduate Student As an Industry Professional
• There was always subtle
competition in the lab - who works
longer, harder, and is a better
scientist. “Time in the lab” is a
figure of merit for graduate
students.
• There simply isn’t time to compete.
You have a job to do and it is
understood that everyone is working
hard. Productivity is not measured by
“time in the office” alone.

20. Final thoughts
 Industry can be very challenging but very
rewarding.
 The transition from academia to industry can be
challenging. Be prepared for an adjustment
period.
 Prepare for the interview process.
 Look for jobs that you are genuinely interested in.
If you are not interested it will show when you
interview.

21. Questions?