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How to Design a Job Talk for an Industry Interview

In this session, you will learn how to prepare slides and a narrative that will engage listeners and showcase the significance of your research, thought process, personal qualities, and experience that is most relevant to the role and company mission.

Learning objectives:

  • Understand which elements to include in a short research talk and that the purpose of the talk is about more than the technical nature of your research.
  • Learn how to create an attention-getting opening for your talk.
  • Understand the importance of sounding conversational, not scholarly.
  • Understand how to structure a short talk and how much detail to provide, including what to save for Q&A.
  • Understand the brain science reasons for limiting what you show on a slide.
Speaker: Amy Aines
Amy Aines is a communication strategist, speaker, coach, and trainer who builds career success skills. She teaches graduate students and postdocs at universities and government agencies how to simplify the complex, engage listeners, foster productive relationships, and make a bigger impact with their work. Amy is chief executive officer of Damianakes Communications, a consulting firm she founded in 1999, and co-author of Championing Science – Communicating Your Ideas to Decision Makers, a ‘how to’ book based on her four decades of work with scientists and engineers in the wireless, tech, and biotech industries.

A former telecommunications executive, Amy’s industry roles have run the gamut from corporate spokesperson for $10B company, to culture and brand builder, technical writer, employee motivator, change manager, media trainer, workshop designer, speech writer, and speaker coach. She’s had the good fortune to work with leaders at global giants and startups including AirTouch, Genentech, McKesson, BioMarin, Gilead, Cisco, Stoke Therapeutics, Exelixis, Vodafone and numerous emerging tech and biotech firms. When she’s not teaching, Amy volunteers for the STEM Advocacy Institute, Beyond the Ph.D., and Quest Science Center, and enjoys singing with the Stay at Tone Moms.

This session is part of the ‘Building Essential Communication Skills for Job Interviews‘ webinar series organized and co-sponsored by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Rackham Graduate School.