Win Over Every Interviewer (Even the Skeptics)

Win Over Every Interviewer (Even the Skeptics)

From Biotech Career Coach by Carina Clingman

April 3, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 59

About this episode

Carina Clingman and Stacey Tannenbaum discuss strategies to effectively engage with different types of interviewers during biotech panel interviews.

Are you walking into biotech panel interviews and talking to every person the same way? That approach can cost you the offer, even if your science is solid. In this episode, Carina Clingman and returning guest Stacey Tannenbaum, PhD break down how to build rapport with each type of interviewer you'll meet on a panel day, from the VP who hasn't read your CV to the peer scientist who feels threatened by what you bring to the table. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Talk to senior leaders about strategic impact instead of getting stuck in technical details Show hiring managers you want this specific role, not just any job, and why that distinction is the number one thing they evaluate Recognize the three reasons peer interviewers become skeptics: fear of change, territorial expertise, and feeling intimidated by what they don't understand Use empathy, curiosity, and "I need your help" to turn resistant colleagues into allies Frame your science in terms that matter to cross-functional interviewers from other departments Ask better questions at every stage to make interviews feel like a two-way conversation Leverage your hiring manager as an ally to get intel on difficult…

People in this episode

Host: Carina Clingman

Guest: Stacey Tannenbaum

Topics covered

  • interview strategies
  • biotech careers
  • building rapport
  • panel interviews
  • communication skills
  • overcoming skepticism

Keywords

  • biotech interviews
  • interviewer types
  • rapport building
  • communication techniques
  • job talks
  • interview preparation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Astellas, Metrum Research Group

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