What qualifies me?Ph.D. Biochemist working in SD Biotech 16

yrsTransitioned to Industry from a Postdoc at

UCLASecured last 4 jobs using networkingSome while laid off“Trained” by Lee Hecht Harrison

(Outplacement Service)

OutlineIssues questions right now?Lecture (what I know) New questions30 second elevator speech break outQuestions/Comments

Job Search in “New Economy”The Economy doesn’t change how you searchLess economic activity: it takes longerLHH: no matter the economy, keep looking

and you will find

My TransitionPostdoc UCLA School of MedicineApplied to Ads in back of Science June-Nov

1992Pre webPre emailPerseverance

Got position at Hybritech Incorporated

Job Search Steps (LHH)Determine your professional objective

Important: job that fits you (passion)Leverage your skills workshop (Markell Steele)

Create your Communications Strategy<30 sec Elevator SpeechResume (Barbara Preston)

Define your target marketTalk with Hiring Managers (track your

progress)Interview, cultivate offers and negotiate

Outplacement Resources Available to youYour institutions outplacement office??

NetworkingThe most important activityIt helps you get everything else!

Theory from WIST Conference:Early Career/Later Career Dichotomy

Early Career: not many contacts, comfortable w/ social e-networking

Late Career: many contacts, not comfortable w/ social e-networking

Solve by networking?Scientists: special networking challenge

Personality type: things not people

Practical Networking TipsAlways carry business cards and pen

Print yourself, “paper” at Office Depot“Free” Vista print (pay postage)Use your card to take down their information

Attend networking eventsSDAWIS events (join AWIS and volunteer)SDBiotech.org (meet Tom Studebaker)

San Diego Biotech Discussion Group Women in Bioscience Happy Hour

San Diego Biotechnology Network (Mary Canady)Local professional meetings (volunteer for the board)

<30 sec elevator speechYou drive it

Etiquette/EthicsCan’t be strictly “goal oriented”Primary intention: Help othersBe Honest!

Don’t exaggerateNo need to pander

San Diego: the most collaborative cluster (Joe Panetta, CEO Biocom)

Be flexibleDon’t expect short term results

Examples from my careerHybritech: SDs 1st

BiotechResearch Scientist-

Principal Scientist Clinical Diagnostics Research

SDAWIS/WIBTurned into

Beckman Coulter

InvitrogenSenior Scientist

Corporate Research Lab

Learned of job: previous colleague at Hybritech/Beckman

Gave me hiring manager’s contact info

Gen-ProbeSenior Manager

Product Development

Interviewed 1998Emailed hiring

manager in 2008He gave name to

dept headGot interview and

job

The Binding SiteTechnical Director

serum Free Light Chain Assays

Mentor Tina Kuus-Reichel (Hybritech)

Met TKR at SDAACC meeting

She asked if I was interested in position

Hiring ManagersDecision makersThe more you talk to more likely to get a jobNetwork to get their phone numberCall to get a meeting

Salary NegotiationIt’s not just salary, it’s the whole package

SalaryBonusVacationHealth InsuranceEtc.

Let them bring it up, don’t askTry to not divulge your current salaryWhat is the range for this position?You want the market rate

Salary.comNetworking

The processPeeling a onion, layer by layerGetting to know themSubmit ResumePhone InterviewInterview at company siteFollow upSalary Negotiation

Internet Resources vs Real PeopleThe Internet is an indispensable tool

LinkedInCorporate InformationRapid communication by email

Real Face to Face Interaction is the most powerfulRichest form of communication (even

subconscious)Interaction w/ Hiring Manager will give best

indication of how job will fit

SummaryNetworking is key

Always be prepared to NetworkNetwork with intention to help othersGet out of your house/office/lab and meet new

peopleStay in touch with and help former colleagues

More hiring manager conversations = more likely to get offer

Salary Negotiation: look at the whole package