Successful Interviews for BioengineersPresented by: Vic SnyderSenior Career Counselor

A Unit of the Division of Student Affairs

134 Mary Gates Hall(206) 543-0535

vsnyder@u.washington.edudepts.washington.edu/

careers/

Remember the Silent Question

• All questions interviewers ask are really the same question…

• “How can you be valuable to

me?”

Ways to Show Value & Make an Impression:

• Research the company

• Understand the position

• Know your strengths & value

• Talk about your strengths

• Learn to answer different types of questions

• Practice your interviewing skills

• Create an interview portfolio

• Send a thank-you letter

Research the Company

• Why? – So you can show how you match

with company needs

• What?– Company mission, core values,

management style, culture, growth areas, projects, problems

Research the Company• How?

– Company / organization websites

– Online resources: http://depts.washington.edu/careers

QuickLinks Web Resources Company Research

– Directories, financial sources and indexes in libraries and Career Centers - Moody’s Industrial Manual, Thomas Register

– Annual reports, articles, newspapers, trade journals

Understand the Position• Understanding what the employer is

looking for is key to answering interview questions

• Print the job description and highlight the “skill” words

• If you don’t have a job description, ask questions about it early in the interview…– Is there anything more you can tell me about

this position?

• When answering interview questions, discuss strengths and experiences that match the job description

Strengths-Based Interview Strategy

• Answering the “Silent” question

• An interview strategy demonstration

Strengths-Based Interview Strategy

• “Tell me about yourself?”

– The question we usually get to start the interview.

• Gives the first opportunity to answer the silent question.

Strengths-Based Interview Strategy

• Keep in mind the job description and your strengths/skills.

• Choose three strengths and say:

“My strengths include _______, _______, and _______; which of these would you prefer I talk about first?”

Strengths-Based Interview Strategy

• The interviewer will choose or let you choose.

• Give the best example of when you demonstrated that strength.

• Be short and clear - no more than 2 minutes.

Strengths-Based Interview Strategy• Ask: “Is this the kind of information you

want? Would you like another example in this skill area or shall I go on to another?”

• You will guide the interview so your greatest strengths are clearly communicated.

• Complete the worksheets on pages 7-10 in the CCS Career Guide

What Interviewers Look For…• A Strong Academic Record

• Skills & Achievements– Extra-curricular activities, achievements, and good

experiences are strong evidence to help in understanding the type of person you are

• Technical Skills– Essential in some fields, and highly valued in all fields

• Also, your ability to… – place problems in a wide but relevant perspective– work efficiently with others in a team– get things done

Answering Questions• Basic Approach

– Listen

– Think through the answers you could give

– Answer briefly and to the point

– Use only positive information

Answering Questions• Behavior Based Questions

– interviewers believe past actions predict future behavior

– think of examples/stories/scenarios

– use the STAR Method

Answering Questions

• Situational Questions

– interviewer describes a situation and asks how you would respond

– relate to real situation if possible (keep the STAR method in mind)

Answering Questions

• Unexpected Questions– pause - think - respond

• Negative Questions– always respond with a positive

– talk about what you learned

– speak about something unrelated to the job

Answering Questions• Technical Questions

– test problem solving and critical thinking skills

– indicate how you might arrive at an answer

– http://www.hitequest.com

• Illegal Questions– think of underlying question interviewer

might have in mind and address it

– ask how it relates to performing the job

Answering Questions• Ethics Questions (Med School Interviews)

– May be related to patient care, public health, medical issues, current events (i.e.. religion, abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, drug policy…)

– Important to have an opinion and be able to defend it

– See UW ethics web pages - http://courses.washington.edu/mhe511/ http://staff.washington.edu/balmassi/medical-ethics/

Questions to Ask• Ask a few questions at end of

interview– Questions that show some forethought– Questions that show you’ve done your

research– Questions that demonstrate your

desire to understand the position…

•"What results do you expect to see from somebody in this position?"

•"What do you see as the biggest challenge with this position?"

Practice Your Interviewing Skills

• Answering interview questions effectively takes practice

• Practice out loud by yourself

• Have a friend ask you questions

• Participate in a Mock Interview at CCS

Utilize Interviewing Resources

• Interview Survival Kit – purchase at CCS

• Employer panels & Career Prep Event

• Mock interview program

• Virtual Job Interview – CCS Website

Create an Interview Portfolio• What is it?

– A portable file of examples related to your skills and strengths

– Its purpose is to show evidence of your strengths, value, and match to employers

Why Should I Create a Portfolio?• The process of creating one allows

you to reflect on your strengths so you can better communicate them

• Using portfolios in job interviews will:– Help you better describe your

strengths and examples

– Set you apart from other candidates

– Help you get jobs!

How do I start making a Portfolio?

– Decide on a format (binder, online, etc.)

– Start collecting artifacts that demonstrate the skills you might want to discuss in interviews•Photos, charts, reports, certificates, thank

you notes, flyers, diagrams, etc.•See examples on next few pages

– For each artifact, create a title and short description

– Store artifacts in file box or electronic files

Xinli Hu

Education Portfolio

Index• Resume 2

• Lab Experience 4

• NIH Training 5

• Teamwork 6

• Premed Society 7

• Piano and Music 8

XINLI HU xinlisea@u.washington.edu

EDUCATION

University of Washington, Seattle, WA BS Bioengineering, June 2007 GPA: 3.73/4.0 Quarterly Dean’s List Autumn’03 – Autumn’06 (10 Quarters)

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS/PERSONAL QUALITIES

Laboratory Rat handling: anesthesia, blood collection, tissue handling, histology, IM/IV/SQ injection, euthanasia.

Familiarity in medical imaging theories and experience in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) operation; image analysis.

Knowledge in molecular biology laboratory processes: gel electrophoresis, microscopy, transfection, PCR, etc.

Experience in C++, Java, and Matlab programming (1+ year in each). Fluency in common software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project,

Matlab, etc.) Excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluent in oral and written Chinese. Basic conversational Korean. Creative; enjoy teamwork; quickly adjust to new environment. RESEARCH EXPERIENCES

Undergraduate Research Fellow April 2006 – Present Advisors: Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD; Xingde Li, PhD Departments of Bioengineering and Radiology Project description: using contrast-enhanced MRI to track and analyze infection sites in vivo

NIH Trainee in Clinical Research Experience for Engineers (CREE) Summer

Program June – September 2006 Advisors: Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD; Xingde Li, PhD;

Clinical shadowing in University of Washington Medical Center Nuclear Medicine

Research in infection imaging using contrast-enhance MRI

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Biomaterials Lab October 2005 – April 2006 Supervisors: Dr. Miqin Zhang Department of Materials Science and Engineering Job responsibilities: Surface chemical modifications for biosensors

Undergraduate Research Assistant, COGENT Lab October 2004 – March 2005

Job responsibilities: Surface chemical modifications for biosensors

Undergraduate Research Assistant, COGENT Lab October 2004 – March 2005 Supervisor: Dr. Howard Chizeck Department of Electrical Engineering Job responsibilities: Design/maintenance of transcription factor database;

software development for data entry and import.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

UWMC Pre-anesthesia Clinic February 2004 – August 2005 Supervisor: Scott Mossing

Job description: Stocking examination room supplies; patient file organization; clerical work; patient data entry; others.

Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society

Vice President April 2006 – Present Responsibilities: Conduct bi-weekly chapter meetings; design and conduct

medical ethics discussions; conduct mock interviews; organize annual Premed Fairs; lead officer meetings; oversee officers.

Member October 2003 – Present Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)

Vice President, Undergraduate Student Affairs April 2006 – Present Member October 2005 – Present

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Piano Studying 1988 – Present Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA) Baldwin Piano Competition:

Washington State Winner, 2000; Northwest Six-state region 2nd place winner, 2000;

Port Gardener Bay Concerto Competition, 2nd place winner, 2001. Completion of Level 10 Piano Placement Test (P.R.China) August 1998

Piano Teaching (private lessons) July 2001-June 2002 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

2003-2005 Washington Promise Scholarship 2003-2004 Jusilla-Ford Endowed Scholarship

Undergraduate Research – Medical ImagingThrough conducting independent research in medical imaging, using MRI and rat models, I gained valuable laboratory skills.

Among others, I have mastered the skills in rat handling, including:

• Anesthesia • Blood collection• IV/IM/SQ injection• Euthanasia• Histology

I have also become familiar with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems, and gained knowledge in the theory, operation, and image analysis procedures of MR.

Clinical Research Experience for Engineers (CREE) was an NIH funded summer undergraduate research training program.

I worked on labeling white blood cells for MRI imaging, attended research ethics and communication seminars as well as biomedical research conferences in Boston and Seattle.

I also shadowed radiologists at the Nuclear Medicine Department at the UW Medical Center.

CREE – National Institute of Health Research Training

– Research, Ethics, Clinical Shadowing

Research and Development – Group Project

As a class project, our group of six members designed an integrated organ transport system capable of maintaining, monitoring, and reporting organ viability during transportation.

• Identify clinical need

• Research current state of art*

• Design a scientifically, economically, and practically sound device*

• Make a reasonable R&D plan with schedule

• Present the design product

Leadership in Premedical Honor Society

As the Vice President of U of W Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society, I organized a number of events with the joint efforts of my fellow officers.

• Medical Ethics Discussions

• Annual Premed Fairs

• Mock Interviews

• Biweekly Chapter Meetings

• Volunteering Events

Music, Piano, Art --I enjoy the company of great music of the classical composers, Broadway musicals, as well as world music.

Beginning at age 4, I have engaged in the study of piano performance.

In addition to a series of solo/concerto competitions and performances, I have also extended my repertoire to orchestra performance and musical productions.

Discussing my performance with teacher and judges after MTNA competition. Washington State winner!

Kim DuProfessional

PortfolioPHONE (206) 228-4243duk@u.washington.edu

Table of ContentsI believe that it is every

person’s responsibility to contribute to the world, whether it be through the arts, humanities, sciences, etc. I want to make my mark by improving healthcare through development of new and better medical tools.

Education……….......… .p. 3

Laboratory Experience.p. 4-6

Public speaking……......p. 6-7

Team work………..……….p. 8-9

Commitment & Design..p. 9

Leadership………….…...…p. 10

Why I Fit.……………......…p. 11

Education B.S. – Bioengineering, expected June 2007Minor – ChineseUniversity of Washington Seattle, WAGrade point average: 3.52/4.00 Dean’s List: 7 Quarters

Relevant Coursework:Chemistry: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and

ThermodynamicsMath: Calculus, Differential Equations, Matrix Algebra, and StatisticsPhysics: Mechanics, Electromagnetic and Oscillatory Motions, and

WavesBiology: General Biology, Physiology, Transports, Stem Cells, and

Human SexualityEngineering: Computer Programming, Electrical & Biomedical

Instrumentations, System Analysis, Signal Processing, Molecular, Biomaterials, and BioMEMS

Research Experience Since joining Professor

Zhang’s research team in Jan 2005, I have graduated from strictly following protocols, to presently planning my own experiments and occasionally training new students.

Experimental DesignAqueous

Coprecipitation

PEG-chitosanSurfactant

PEGSurfactant

Organic Decomposition

High TemperatureCoprecipitation

TEG Shell with Amine Groups

Surface Modification through

Silane Chemistry

1Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 981953Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195

Synthesis of Poly(ethyleneglycol) Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Cancer Imaging

Kim Du1, Conroy Sun2, Miqin Zhang2

Abstract

Experimental methods

ConclusionsFigure 2: Hydrodynamic size of iron oxide nanoparticles taken by DLS. The diameter was found to decrease by increasing PEG concentration present during synthesis.

Iron oxide nanoparticles have been examined extensively for biomedical applications, especially in cancer diagnosis and therapy. The superparamagnetic property of this material has been exploited in the development of contrast enhancement media for MR imaging. Such nanoparticle-based contrast agents have the potential to improve tumor detection and delineation by altering the signal intensity of lesions in comparison to surrounding tissue. Nanoparticles administered intravenously can accumulate in diseased tissue through the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect. A significant obstacle to such passive targeting is the clearance of these nanoparticles from the bloodstream by the reticuloendothelial system. Polymeric coatings on the nanoparticle can improve their biocompatibility and blood circulation time. In addition, smaller and highly dispersed particles have been shown to decrease detection by the immune system. In this study, magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles are synthesized in the presence of polyethylene glycerol (PEG) to both reduce nanoparticle size and provide a non-fouling coating. PEG is physically adsorbed to particle surface after nucleation preventing further particle growth and agglomeration. Nanoparticles synthesized by this method were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine their composition and crystal structure. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles was determined through transmission election microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The presence of PEG on the nanoparticle surface was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Further, an in vitro assay was performed to examine the efficacy of the PEG coating to reduce nanoparticle uptake by macrophage cells. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectroscopy results show that nanoparticle uptake by macrophages was reduced due the presence of PEG on the nanoparticle surface.

Figure 1: Nanoparticle synthesis device schematic Acknowledgements

Figure 5: FTIR showing that PEG is bound to particle surfaces before it can be removed by treatment with nitric acid

UWEB NIH/NCI UIP Grant (NO1-CO37122) Narayan BhattaraiJonathan GunnJoy LouieOmid Veiseh

Results

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Figure 3: X-ray diffraction pattern of PEG coated iron oxide nanoparticles. As-synthesized nanoparticles were found to have an inverse spinel crystal structure and composition of magnetite (Fe3O4).

Figure 4: Monodispersed particles synthesized in 40wt% PEG taken by TEM

• The size of the particles synthesized appeared to decrease with increasing PEG concentrations. 60wt% PEG yielded the smallest particles with a hydrodynamic diameter of 36.58nm with PDI of 0.151.

• The size of individual dry particles taken by TEM was found to range from 5 to 10nm.

• The composition of nanoparticle was determined to be Fe3O4 by XRD.

• FTIR of the as-synthesized nanoparticles confirmed the presence of PEG on particle surfaces.

• PEG coating was found to reduce nanoparticle uptake by macrophages.

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Future WorkUse a di-acid PEG as surfactant in order to

provide particle surfaces with functional groups in order to attach fluorescence, targeting, and drug molecules.

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Figure 6: Concentration of iron present in macrophage cells shows lower uptake of PEG coated particles than bare particles

Public SpeakingI am comfortable talking

in front of an audience; whether it be one-on-one or with a class. Tutoring grade school students, answering questions about my research during poster sessions, and presenting class and research projects have prepared me well for public speaking.

Team WorkThrough numerous

collaborations with classmates in lab work and projects, I learned that teamwork is about listening to others, keeping an open mind, and most importantly doing my best for the benefit of the group even if I have to go beyond my own responsibilities.

LeadershipAs BMES Vice-President, I

assist in the administration from club restructure, budget planning, event organization, and substituting for absent officers.

In full-filling all these roles, I learned that in order to be a good leader a person needs to be a good organizer, motivator, and supporter.

Why I am a good fit for research and development…• Proficient research experience

• Ability to independently learn

• Strong commitment

• Great eye for aesthetics

• Good team player

• Leader and follower

Using the Portfolio in Interviews

• Review job description for key skills

• Choose 5-10 strengths and artifacts

• Create a targeted portfolio for each interview

• Include title page and table of contents

• When discussing a strength, show your proof!

• Leave portfolio for review; pick it up later

How Can I Learn More About Portfolios?

– Download our Portfolio Basics Workshop slides http://depts.washington.edu/careers/careerplan/workshop.php

– Check out http://amby.com/kimeldorf/portfolio/

– Meet with a counselor individually

– Participate in a mock interview

Send a Thank-You Letter• Sending a thank-you letter allows

you to:

– Express appreciation

– Demonstrate professionalism

– Demonstrate your writing skills

– Restate your interest, skills, and match

– Address issue you forgot or want to emphasize

– Stand out from the crowd

Send a Thank-You Letter

• Thank-you letters should be:

– Short, sincere, positive

– Sent within 48 hours of your interview

– Addressed to each interviewer

– Signed

Summary• Research the company

• Understand the position

• Know / speak about your strengths and value

• Prepare for different types of questions

• Practice, Practice, Practice!

• Create a portfolio

• Send a thank-you letter

• CollegeGrad.com - click on Interview Prep

Successful Interviews

A Unit of the Division of Student Life

134 Mary Gates Hall, Box 352810

(206) 543-0535ccscnslr@u.washington.edu

http://depts.washington.edu/careers