Interviewing 101. Resumes. Cover Letters. Interviewing. Starting a new Job

Transcription

1 Interviewing 101 Resumes Cover Letters Interviewing Starting a new Job Donald A. Upson, Ph.D. October 21, 2017

2 9 Proven Steps take no short-cuts! 1. Resume preparation 2. Identify target employers 3. Research target companies and their needs 4. Cover Letter link your abilities to company needs 5. References 6. Interviewing skills. Phone/Skype interview 7. Interviewing skills. On-site interview 8. Job Offer how to respond 9. Starting a new job and super-charging your career o Introduction and Welcome o Program Structure o About Mentoring o Expectations for Mentors o Expectations for Mentees o The Mentorship Process/Timelines o Program Resources

3 Resume your key Sales document You have seconds to impress hiring Manager! Key Facts hiring manager is looking for: Does/Do 1. Your degree match the job requirements 2. Your career objective match the job 3. Your accomplishments prove you can perform the job 4. Your writing show skill, attention to detail, intelligence You need to beat about 100 applicants. Check all the boxes and you will be as competitive as possible.

4 Constructing your Resume General Principles Make it Easy for the hiring manager to find your Degree, Objective, and Accomplishments Brief 2 pages max. At least 12 Font. Business- like Leave white space for manager s note- taking Prioritize only include what is directly relevant. Do not overwhelm the manager with all you have ever done. Letter Perfect perfect spelling and grammar Customized to each audience

5 Constructing your Resume Nuts and Bolts 1 Name, contact info, highest degree(s) Addresses key fact #1 Objective: write it to match the job applied for Addresses key fact #2 Education: UG, Grad, Postdoc, anticipated Degrees. Ph.D. Dissertation Title, Major Prof, years at UA, special honors. Enhances key fact #1 BS/BA/MS where, when, GPA, honors

6 Constructing your Resume Nuts and Bolts 2 Experience: Most significant Accomplishments (addresses key fact #3) Ph.D. Research what did you do, why does it matter? Previous employment valuable if relevant to the job Short Personal Section items that show your ability to persevere and succeed (Eagle Scout, 1 st Violin, etc.) References Line up 3. They may only be called if you are in the Top 3-5 candidates for the job.

7 Step 2: Identify Target Employers 1 Strategic Decisions Large, Medium, or Small Company? Public, Private or Government? Geography where are you willing to go? How closely does job need to mirror Ph.D. work? Type of work: Research, Development, Support Advancement: Important? Rather stay at Bench? Do you have a spouse that needs a job in same area?

8 Identify Target Employers 2 ID Employers that fit (most of*) your criteria Confirm fit through research as necessary * No such thing as the perfect job situation Seek Connections LinkedIn: find previous CBC grads at the company Professor that has links, maybe consults for company

9 Step 3: What do the Target Companies Need? They fit your needs. But do YOU fit THEIR needs? Job Posting will list needed skills, experience Check Website for added clues Use your connections If you attend a professional meeting, seek out chemists/biochemists from the company.

10 Up to 2/3 of a page Step 4: Cover Letter Address it as directed in the job posting. How to write it: From your list of Company Needs, show how you can fulfill (most if not all of) those needs. Don t repeat your resume refer to it. Ask directly to set up a phone interview.

11 Step 5 References Recruit 3 references that know your work, skills, personality and character. Hiring manager s purposes for reference calls: Check your skills, work ethic, and character Gain evidence of your personality and fit Learn about your teamwork, leadership and communications skills Not all hiring managers make reference calls

12 Step 6 The Phone/Skype Interview 1 Congratulations! If you get a phone/skype interview you are a Top 5 candidate! Skype requires added preparation dress well, ensure your set up is right camera, lighting, microphone do a dry run with a friend. Look directly into the camera. Your next goal is to become a Top 3, one that will be on- site interviewed. Don t become #4 or #5!

13 Step 6 The Phone/Skype Interview 2 Phone interviews generally focus on softer skills and attitudes, similar to the Reference call. unless on Skype. Prepare a 3-5- min version of your seminar. Objective, Experimental design, results, conclusions, next steps. Career goals what you want to learn, where you want to be in X years Listening and communication skills Do you answer the questions that are asked? Organization, brevity of responses Confidence, enthusiasm

14 Step 6 The Phone/Skype Interview 3 Motivation: besides income, what do you want? Work on projects that matter for the company Learn from colleagues and other disciplines Advancement Publish, present, patent to grow as a professional Flexibility, risk- taking. Willing to: Follow your research results into production? Accept a project for which you have little background?

15 Step 6 The Phone/Skype Interview 4 Show high Interest in the Company: prove you KNOW what they do, and make connections between what they do and what you can do. Emphasize evidence of your teamwork Accomplishments you are most proud of Interest in the company location (See step 2).

16 Step 7: Interviewing skills the on- site interview 1 General advice Seek an unfair advantage! I ll provide ideas for how. Schedule interviews close together a goal is to have multiple offers/choice Pay attention to grooming, hygiene, posture, manners, eye contact, and wear a conservative business suit. You are the Product. The secret to selling yourself: Maximize the Perceived Value you can bring.

17 Interviewing skills the on- site interview 2 Preparation Predict >90% of the questions you will be asked. Devise your answers, short and focused this will set you apart from most competitors! Unfair advantage! You will be asked, What questions do you have? It is very unimpressive to have none! Prepare. Unfair advantage! Ideas find out about: Company culture, Projects and project teams how formed and led, Will a mentor be assigned to you, how decisions get made, performance evaluations, what do you like best/worst about the company, etc., etc. Prepare a 3-5 minute summary of your seminar to give several times during the day to potential co- workers who could not come to the main event.

18 Interviewing skills the on- site interview 3 Seminar done well, gain advantage over others Teach: you are the world s expert in your area Don t present too much! Big mistake Speak conversationally, not too fast. Allow time for discussion Show only enough of your process and data to clearly make your points, and draw your conclusions

19 Interviewing skills the on- site interview 4 Seminar Purposes See you perform on your feet looking for confidence, clarity, courtesy, enthusiasm Judge your communication skills, the ability to: Stay focused and logical. Each section flows from the previous and sets up the next Show how you think as a scientist Clearly answer questions. Teach

20 Step 8: Job Offer! How to respond? Phone the hiring manager immediately Thank her/him for the offer. Express excitement Indicate schedule for making a decision OK to ask for up to 2 weeks. Longer can be a problem Do not stall or offer may be rescinded Ask about any assistance with moving costs Ask to be connected to a real estate agent As soon as you can, commit to a starting date, or turn it down be decisive

21 Step 9: How to start a new job, and super- charge your career 1 The first day(s) Get to know your management and colleagues Be introduced to your mentor form a tight bond Find your way around Learn the projects you will work on, their goals and status, and meet with your team members Learn about your colleagues projects, ask questions, take notes.

22 The first month Step 9: How to start a new job, and super- charge your career 2 Cycle back to your mentor & management frequently, ask questions Devote time to meet with your project leader(s) to: Understand background information, your role, objectives, timeline, your teammates and how you are expected to work together

23 Step 9: How to start a new job, and super- charge your career 3 The first year(s) Seek out important projects Tightly focus on your project s needs Be open to suggestions of team members Do more than expected Have the attitude that you are re- interviewing for your job every single day. Make no enemies even if you feel slighted No such thing as a perfect job take the long view

24 Step 9: How to start a new job, and super- charge your career 4 The first year(s) 2 Accomplish as much as possible. Your goal: become a High Potential Employee! Document your contributions, especially Invention Records Patent, publish, present whenever possible Present your work to upper management and get known Accomplishments/Skills are your job security. The current job may vanish, but your accomplishments and skills will usually take you to the next opportunity.

25 Final Thoughts In conclusion. Use your CiCS mentors to the fullest They can help with the details. Their approach may be different, but the goals are universal This PowerPoint will be available to you through CiCS Open for Questions