STAND OUT: In Person and On Paper Barbara Preston, PhD Sr. Executive Recruiter

1. STAND OUT: In Person and On Paper Barbara Preston, PhD Sr. Executive Recruiter

2. RESUME PURPOSE • Defines you • Communicates your skills and productivity • Creates interest and curiosity to get a face-to-face meeting.

3. RESUME PARTS • Contact information • Profile (not objective) • Employment History • Employer Dates • Title • Accomplishment statement • Accomplishment statement • Education • Professional Training or Skills section • Memberships • Publications / Patents (most recent first) • Abstracts / Talks(most recent first)

4. Who Are You?

5. Who Are You?

6. Who Are You?

7. Define Yourself • Focused on a discipline (immunology, neuroscience, pain, inflammation, asthma, signal transduction, etc.) and use a variety of approaches to study it OR B. Experienced in applying a certain approach (molecular biology, protein chemistry, in vivo pharmacology, …) and apply it to any discipline

8. SAMPLE PROFILES PROFILE • Medicinal chemist with six years experience in drug discovery • Broad range of experience in lead optimization, structure-based compound design, in vitro and in vivo profiling of lead compounds, optimization of physicochemical properties and ADME/PK profile of lead compounds • Inventor of AXIENTIF, an XX antagonist which has completed phase I clinical trial • Co-inventor of AXIENBAP, an XX antagonist currently in phase II clinical trial in patients with major depressive disorder • Proven effectiveness in discovery, scale up and tech transfer to GMP production SUMMARY: Accomplished immunologist with a working knowledge of molecular and cellular biology, experienced in the research areas of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Extensive research experience using cell culture, biochemical, immuno-cytochemical, and histochemical approaches in vitro and in vivo. Broad range of applicable computer skills. Clear oral and written communication skills.

9. The FAB: Feature/Accomplishment/Benefit Sheet • Causes you to re-think the results of your time spent in the lab or on the job • Forms the basis of your resume • Prepares you for interviewing • Helps keep your resume up to date.

10. Karen Shiner, Ph.D. University of Iowa College of Medicine Howard Hughes Medical Institute 400 Grain St. Ames,Iowa 54321 kshiner @iowa.edu 515-555-1234 CAREER OBJECTIVE I am interested in a challenging research scientist position as part of an enthusiastic team involved in drug discovery and assay development in industry. EXPERIENCE 3/04 - present POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW Laboratory of Dr. Campbell University of Iowa College of Medicine Howard Hughes Medical Institute Established a quantitative co-immunoprecipitation assay to assess calcium channel subunit association. Developed two collaborations with outside laboratories regarding neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels in mouse models of epilepsy; both resulted in publications. Learned mammalian and bacterial cell culture, molecular biology, polyclonal antibody production in rabbits. Trained undergraduate assistant in fusion protein purifications, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and cell culture techniques. Supervised student's honors research project investigating expression of calcium channel subunits in cultured cells by immunofluorescence microscopy. Received two fellowship awards: 2005 - National Research Service Award; 2004 - Cardiovascular Interdisciplinary Program Research Fellowship Presented platform talk at 2004 Biophysical Society meeting. Techniques Used: Molecular Biology - subcloning, PCR, nucleic acid isolation, RT-PCR, construction, expression and purification of GST-fusion proteins and MBP-fusion proteins Cell Biology - maintainence of mammalian cell lines, immunocytochemisty, fluorescence microscopy, calcium phosphate transfection, adenovirus transfection Protein Biochemistry - various chromatographies, immunoprecipitation, radioligand binding, sucrose density gradient centrifugation, ELISA 1998 - 2004 GRADUATE STUDENT University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Laboratory of Dr. Sandy Shore Created novel enzyme assay for measuring kinetics of phospholipase C activation by m1muscarinic receptor and Gq. Established conditions for successful co-reconstitution of receptors and Gq into phospholipid vesicles. Modified existing procedures for radioligand binding and enzyme assays to accommodate additional experimental parameters. Developed extensive experience in purification of membrane and soluble proteins from native tissue and Sf9 cells, establishing new and/or improved purification schemes. Supervised research associate in conducting enzyme assays and ligand binding experiments. Techniques Used: Protein Biochemistry - detergent extraction of membrane proteins, ion exchange, hydrophobic, lectin, metal chelate, hydroxylapatite, and gel Filtration chromatographies, radioligand binding, phospholipid vesicles made By sonication and gel filtration, phosphorus determination, thin layer chromatography, FPLC, fluorescence spectroscopy (fura-2 and bodipy) EDUCATION 1991 - 1997 Ph.D. Cell Regulation, University of North Carolina Dept. of Pharmacology Dissertation: Regulation of phospholipase C- beta 1 by Gq and m1 muscarinic cholinergic receptor. Advisor: Sandy Shore GPA - 3.20 1988 - 1991 B.S. Biochemistry; State University of New York, Binghamton GPA - 3.80 PUBLICATIONS 2008 Authors. Title. Molec. Cell. Neurosci. 10, 29-31 * joint first-authorship 2008 Authors. Title, CRC Press. In Press 2005 Authors. Title Nature Genet. 25, 241-245. 2003 Authors. Title. J. Biol. Chem. 27, 99-107. AWARDS 1995 Crick Memorial Award for Excellence in Research University of Texas Department of Pharmacology SAMPLE RESUME (before)

11. Karen Shiner, PhD University of Iowa Tel: (515) 555-1234 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fax: (515) 555-1213 400 Grain St. e-mail: kshiner@iowa.edu Ames, Iowa 54321 US Citizen SUMMARY Biochemist with background in G protein-coupled receptor signaling and voltage gated calcium channels. Broad range of experience in protein biochemistry, expertise in receptor-ligand interactions and enzymology, supplemented with skills in Subcloning DNA and cell culture. Strong written and oral communication skills, supervisory experience, and computer skills. EXPERIENCE Postdoctoral Fellow (laboratory of Dr. Kevin Campbell) 2004 - present University of Iowa, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Discovered that epilepsy and ataxia in lethargic mouse not caused by perturbations in P-type channels as previously supposed. Coimmunoprecipitation assays of P/Q- and N-type calcium channels demonstrated b subunit isoform substitution for the b4 subunit, which is lacking in lethargic mouse. Collaboration with electrophysiologist revealed P-type calcium currents were unchanged in lethargic cerebellar Purkinje cells. Structural and functional rescue of P-type channels argues for more complex pathology. Investigated the interaction of calcium channel g subunits with neuronal proteins by yeast two-hybrid and by immunopurification, using polyclonal g subunit antibodies created by constructing fusion protein and peptide antigens, immunizing rabbits, and coupling purified serum to Sepharose. Implemented centrifugal gel filtration assay for measuring ligand binding to soluble channels and ELISA for titering antibody. Established primary cultures of cerebellar neurons from wild-type and stargarzer mice (an animal model of epilepsy) to investigate link between loss of g2 subunit in stargazer mice and decreased cerebellar levels of BDNF. Trained undergraduate research assistant and supervised honors research project which demonstrated that the g2 subunit is trafficked to the cell membrane independently of other calcium channel subunits. Graduate Student (laboratory of Dr. Sandy Shore) 1998 – 2004 University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC) Explained incongruous rates in a GPCR signaling pathway by discovering that m1 muscarinic receptor remains bound to Gq during many cycles of nucleotide exchange and hydrolysis in the presence of a GTPase-activating protein (GAP), contrary to the prevailing idea that receptor and G protein dissociate. The observed GTP binding rate is limited by slow association of m1 receptor with Gq, but once associated GTP binds very rapidly. The fast steady-state GTP hydrolysis rates observed can be sustained only if m1 receptor and Gq remain bound through many cycles. Discovered mechanism that allows steady-state activation of PLC-b by m1 muscarinic receptor and Gq by creating a new phospholipase assay. Established thin layer chromatography method to detect [3H]QNB bound to m1 muscarinic receptor as a way to measure receptor concentration after reconstitution into phospholipid vesicles that contain [3H]PIP2. Developed purification of PLC-b1 expressed in Sf9 cells. Supervised research associate in conducting enzyme assays and ligand binding experiments. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES Protein Biochemistry: Detergent extraction of membrane proteins; ion exchange, hydrophobic, lectin, metal chelate, hydroxylapatite, gel filtration, affinity chromatographies; radioligand binding; enzyme assays; FPLC; immunoprecipitation; sucrose density gradient centrifugation; ELISA Molecular Biology: Subcloning; PCR; nucleic acid isolation Cell Biology: Maintenance of mammalian cell lines; bacterial cell culture; immunocytochemistry; transient transfection Other: Production of polyclonal antibodies in rabbit; preparation of phospholipid vesicles; phosphorus determination; thin layer chromatography; fluorescence spectroscopy; fluorescence microscopy EDUCATION Ph.D. Pharmacology 1998 - 2004 University of North Carolina, Department of Pharmacology (Advisor: Sandy Shore) Thesis title: Regulation of phospholipase C-b1 by Gq and m1 muscarinic cholinergic receptor B.S. Biochemistry 1994 –1998 State University of New York, Binghamton GPA - 3.80 PUBLICATIONS 2008 Authors. Title. Molec. Cell. Neurosci. 10, 29-31 * joint first-authorship 2008 Authors. Title, CRC Press. In Press 2005 Authors. Title Nature Genet. 25, 241-245. 2003 Authors. Title. J. Biol. Chem. 27, 99-107. PRESENTATIONS 2004 Biophysical Society meeting platform talk. Title. SAMPLE RESUME (after)

12. OVERCOME RESUME BLUNDERS DEFINE YOURSELF (Use a PROFILE rather than an OBJECTIVE to create a framework) DETERMINE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Use past tense, active verbs which communicate ‘results accomplished!) PRESENT MOST RELEVANT INFO IN FIRST TWO PAGES (publications, talks, patents, etc. should be proof) MIX SIZE AND STYLE WITH CONSISTENT FONT (Don’t be boring on paper) FOR CHRONOLOGIES, PUT MOST RECENT FIRST

13. RESUME REMINDERS • Note your US Citizenship or green card authorization in the contact information • Foreign schools are unfamiliar. Use familiar, local first • Have a native English speaker proofread for spelling and grammar • Put positions at one company under the company for continuity Vertex Pharmaceuticals 2000-2008 Sr. Scientist (2004-2008) Scientist (2000-2004)

14. STAND OUT: In Person BEFORE: how to prepare DURING: how to get the info you need, make a good impression, handle difficult questions, deal with difficult people, avoid traps AFTER: how to follow up

15. How to Prepare RESEARCH the company or department Technology or programs, key individuals and backgrounds Prepare examples / illustrations (Tell me about a time you had…) Technical challenge Aggressive deadline Limited resources (money, experimental time, animals, …) Multiple projects / prioritization Difficult people Communication challenge Implementing something new (3-4 sentences: here was the issue, my approach, happy ending) Interviewing by phone? Prepare notes, questions, have resume copy handy Interviewingin person? Prepare clothes, seminar, company information One step dressier / formal than company Comfortable but professional Women: limit jewelry to 2 pieces and avoid perfumes Men: wear tie, make sure shoes are clean, no white socks

16. The Key to Answering Questionsis getting the information you need first • 3 QUESTIONS TO ASK • Duties and responsibilities of the position? • Short term and long term goals? • What do you expect this person to accomplish in • the first six months? • the next 18 months? • What challenges or obstacles do you see to accomplishing those goals? • How do you ask? and • How do you use information??

17. Face to Face Be openly friendly, keep eye contact, firm handshake, no cell phone. Hiring Manager Review the 3 key questions again. Things may have changed. Ask about the people you will meet. Go through itinerary. Seminar Senior Management Have notes about their bio—anything in common! “Are you the same Joe Smith that…” Find out: How will this person interact with you or your group? What would they like to see you accomplish in short term, long term? Challenges or obstacles? Others Have notes about their bios. Find something in common if possible. Find out their expectations for this person...how will they interact together on projects. Ask questions like, “Would it be useful if someone had done…” to find hot areas of interest And “Have you looked at…” or “Have you considered…” instead of telling people what to do.

18. SEMINAR Content Intro slide shows them what you will tell them. Then tell them. Summary slide tells them what you told them. Remember, they are not experts. Title every slide. Time Plan for 40-45 minutes Questions Handling questions during the seminar vs. at the end Practice Practice Practice ahead of time.

19. TROUBLE SPOTS Bad Interviewers – no questions • Ask about something in your notes re. this person. • Ask how long they’ve been at the company. • Short time? What attracted them • Long time? What keeps them • Ask how they got started (in science, or as medicinal chemist, molecular biologist, immunologist, …) Stress InterviewersDon’t take the bait!! • Ask “Why do you say that?” • Ask “What do you see or know that I don’t know?” Assume they know something you don’t. • Close by saying, “Thank you for sharing your perspective. I’ll certainly give it some thought.” Assume they’re having a bad day, drop it, move on.

20. TROUBLE SPOTS (cont.) VPs and technicians • VPs have Big Picture. Ask about vision for group/company. Find something in common. • Technicians know the real deal. Don’t discount them. Treat them with the same level of importance as VPs. Ask their opinions of morale, organization, what they like/don’t like about the company, etc. HR • Behavioral questions: “Tell me about a time when…” Prepare with earlier examples. • Salary questions: Your expectations? Answer 1: “Money is important, but I’m really focused on learning more about the company and position so I’d just say if it’s the right position for me, and I’m the right person for you, I’m sure money won’t keep us apart! What is the corporate culture like here? or where do most people live around here?” Return a question immediately! Answer 2: I hear good things about Company X. I’m sure if you make an offer it would be fair. What’s the range this position has been approved for? Answer 3: My last compensation (or base, or base + bonus) was $X. I wouldn’t expect to go backwards. <smile>

21. CLOSING THE INTERVIEW • Ask “Is there anything lacking in my background that you feel would keep me from getting (or doing) the job.” • Say, “I’m very interested in the position. What would be the next step?” or, “When can I expect to hear from you re. a decision?” • Then, “May I follow up with you on X date if I haven’t heard from you by then.” • Follow up with a “thank you” email at the least. A handwritten note will make a better impression. If you don’t hear anything in 2 weeks, find a relevant article to send saying, “I saw this and thought I would pass it along in case you’d not yet seen it.”

22. American Culturalisms • Eye Contact and Shaking Hands Good eye contact during business and social conversations shows interest, sincerity and confidence. • Facial Expressions and Body language • Asking questions

23. Shaking Hands—American Style • Smile and make eye contact as you shake hands. In a panel interview, take the time to shake hands with everyone you meet. Hold eye contact until you let go and move to the next person. • Offer your hand, even if the interviewer doesn't offer his or her hand first. You are the one trying to make a good impression so feel free to initiate the handshake. • Extend your right hand to meet the other person's right hand. Pointing your thumb upward toward the other person's arm, extend your arm at a slight downward angle. • Wrap your hand around the other person's hand when your thumb joints come together. • Use a firm handshake -- adjust your grip to the other person's hand. Remember that limp handshakes are a big turnoff, as are bone-crushing handshakes. Let them know you’re alive on the other end. • Hold the handshake for 2 to 3 seconds making a slight up and down pumping motion.

24. American Culturalisms • Eye Contact and Shaking Hands Good eye contact during business and social conversations shows interest, sincerity and confidence. • Facial Expressions and Body language A smile shows friendliness. Just don’t be a “grinning fool.” Sitting forward shows interest. Standing personal space 30-36 inches. • Asking questions Questions indicate understanding and interest. People like people who are interested in them.

25. FINAL THOUGHTS • Pick up Knock ‘em Dead by Martin Yate • Take an extra copy or two of your resume in a portfolio. • No purse, briefcase, backpack,… • Don’t drill or grill people. It’s like a first date. Ask about them and their work. • Don’t interrupt—especially to say something about yourself. Only to ask a question. • Avoid the wine or beer at dinner. • Use excuse about time, driving, sleep deprivation… • Nothing drippy, soupy, or sloppy for breakfast or lunch. • Interviewing with multiple people? Ask the same questions, use the same answers.

26. Barbara Preston, PhD PharmaScouts, Inc. www.pharmascouts.com Direct office line: 619-271-8882 Cell phone: 858-735-3244 Direct email: barbara@pharmascouts.com