What does it mean?

[Andrey]

I have been invited to a big company to give a seminar. However, when I received the agenda I realized that I have four additional meetings with the company staff. What does it mean? Do thy want to hire me?

[Dave Jensen]

Andrey, how were you approached by this company? Was it in the process of your job search, or via a networking campaign that you were working on? My guess is that this company has asked you in for an evaluation of how your work and you personally fit their company. Your work will be evaluated --to see if the science "fits" the company's interests. Then, you'll meet a few key managers to see if your interpersonal style fits their company culture.

This may be anything from an informational interview (they may want to see what your lab is up to and whether there could be any collaborations with you and your P.I.) to a formal job interview.

Dave Jensen, Moderator

[Andrey]

Thanks a lot!

[Andy]

Audrey,

These things can go either way. I spent some time at a large pharma and they often brought in academic speakers. Some of these people they ended up hiring later. Others never had any contact again. So it can really vary depending on what you\'re working on and their interest in it.

Andy