Applying for a Position

Transcription

1 The University of Kansas Medical Center Office of Postdoctoral Affairs & Graduate Studies Applying for a Position Ashley Carlson, Assistant Director Matt Falk, Senior Coordinator

2 Objectives Know how to approach a job announcement and analyze the position description Be prepared to make a good impression with a strong cover letter Understand how references are used to reinforce your qualifications Be familiar with some other common application materials

3 Analyzing a Job Description Screening and interpreting a job announcement

4 Analyzing a Job Description Analysis will help you Weed out postings that aren t worth your time Identify the best opportunities Prepare the best application possible Questions to answer Do you want this job? Do you qualify and will you get through screening? Will you have a reasonable shot at landing this position? How should I tailor my application materials to stand out from the crowd?

5 Analyzing a Job Description Read many announcementslook for themes and identify quality Your first impression, initial screening Are the requirements/qualifications appropriate? Be on the lookout for scams! Be wary of low-effort announcements

6 Analyzing a Job Description Reading the Requirements & Qualifications Only apply if you meet at least half Education is a hard requirement- its verifiable Importance is indicated in descending order, top to bottom ATS: Applicant Tracking Systems automatically screen Compare other postings to see where the fluff is Keep an eye out for soft or unique skills that can lift you above similarly qualified candidates

7 Analyzing a Job Description seek lead self-start innovate listen teamwork Evaluating Duties and Responsibilities These are good indicators of the values and work environment/culture Ask yourself: Do you want to do these things? Importance is indicated in descending order, top to bottom

8 Analyzing a Job Description Look for application instructions Be on the look out for a question- is an answer expected in your submission? Carefully note what is required and how it should be submitted Know the company that is hiring Helps to weed out scams Provides useful material for tailoring your materials Consider the salary Use sites like salary.com or glassdoor.com to find comparable positions if the salary isn t readily available

9 Analyzing a Job Description Know the code Team player = Working with people Strong organizational skills = busy workload Leadership qualities = command and inspire people Additional duties as assigned = be flexible and willing to learn

10 Practice Activity Get with one or two people at your table & select a job announcement from those provided Discuss and practice analyzing What things help with initial screening? How would you consider the requirements/qualifications? What can you learn from the duties/responsibilities? Are there specific application instructions? Is there info about the company? Are there any code words? What do they really mean? After a few minutes, we ll report out

11 Things to look for Application Instructions Low Effort/Scam Posting Specific Number of References Hard Requirements Soft Requirements Soft Skills Company Info Salary Info Code Words Education Requirements Indicators of Company

12 Cover Letters Your chance to make a great impression

13 Cover Letters Expands upon and introduces your resume No more than 1 page, 3-4 paragraphs Use standard business letter formatting Use the cover letter to Show you understand and took time Demonstrate writing skills Highlight and expand upon skills and experience Show you are familiar with the company

14 Cover Letters Find the name to address the letter to Proofread! options Brief with attached a cover letter Or copy and paste the cover letter into Remove formatting and keep it simple Omit business letter blocks Hard copy letters should be hand-signed along with typed name

15 Cover Letter Body Start with your interest in the position, how you learned of the opening Name your contact if you were referred Next 2 paragraphs highlight skills & qualifications This is the place to tailor your letter specifically for this opening Final paragraph summarize your qualifications, reinforce your interest, and say thank you!

16 Basic Cover Letter Building Blocks Top portion is your business letter formatting and a good place for template use Your Address Block Date Company Address Block Include the recipient s name and title whenever possible Greeting Use formal- Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. : whenever possible Body 1. Interest 2. Qualifications 3. Qualifications 4. Summarize Sincerely, Signature Typed Name

17 References Reinforce how great you are with strong testimonials

18 Selecting the Right Reference Relevant experience Choose someone who knows your experience in particular areas. Ex. When applying for a faculty position, choose someone who knows your experience teaching and your writing skills. Discuss your overall character You will want some of your references to able to discuss items like your work ethic, positive attitude, etc. Internal references They provide an instant connection to wherever you are applying to. Especially helpful in larger workplaces.

19 Reference Etiquette How to ask Ask for permission first. In person or phone call. Keep them informed Update all references when you apply for a new position and they ask for reference contact info. Send them the actual job description. Where to list your references Some positions may ask for them upfront, while others will wait until later in the search process.

20 Letters of recommendation When leaving a position, it can be appropriate to ask for a letter of rec. These differ from a reference in that you can use these for future purposes. Gives you additional credibility and does not force a reference to recall detailed experiences.

21 Other application tips More to consider

22 Research proposals or statements Summary of research accomplishments and future goals Common in academia, but also other research focused roles About 2 pages unless otherwise indicated Highlight main themes to your research and your skills Provide some specific examples of past success Describe the future direction of your research, get people excited!

23 Personal statements Generally, first person voice is appropriate Be mindful of word limits- if not provided generally words Start with an introduction, catch the reader s attention Use the following paragraphs to answer application questions and argue your fit for the position Consider including goals and future direction Finish with a summary that wraps up your points in the earlier sections

24 Teaching statements or philosophy A statement in narrative format describing your understanding of teaching and learning, your teaching methods and style, and explanation of why you use these methods Generally 1-2 pages long, usually in first person, present tense Use approachable, common languageavoid jargon, but connect to your discipline Be your unique self, stand out from the crowd

25 Applying for a postdoc Some use standard posting and application process, others require unsolicited s to PI Don t blanket the world with generic s! Customary to include letters of recommendation with a postdoc application May submit a paper packet if you have unpublished manuscripts to submit or indicate pending publications or drafts on CV Consult your network- faculty, postdocs, alumni for help gauging this slightly nebulas application area

26 Federal applications US government jobs are all found on USAjobs.gov Provides a USAJobs Resume Builder tool- definitely consider this! You can still upload your standard resume or CV as well Most applications will include an online self assessment questionnaire Often requires transcripts

27 Recap

28 Analyzing Job Descriptions Weed out and use your time wisely Know if you re qualified Learn about the position and the company Apply correctly Decipher job ad code

29 Cover Letters 1 page, 3-4 paragraph, business letter format Expand upon and introduce your resume Find a name to address it to and proofread Use the 4 paragraph protocol for the body: Interest Qualifications Qualifications Summary

30 References Choose those with relevant experience listed in the job description. Should be able to describe your overall character. Internal references help immensely. Ask for permission Keep everyone informed throughout the search Never list your references until you are asked to Ask for letters of recommendation when leaving a position

31 Other application materials Research proposals/statements tell about your research successes and directions for the future Personal statements answer questions and describe your fit for the position Teaching philosophy/portfolio should be unique and describe your methods and justifications in present tense Postdoc applications are diverse- use your network! Federal format can have extra requirements, consider using the USAJobs Resume Builder

32 Questions?

33 Thank you! Contact Ashley Carlson at or Matt Falk with questions or for further help Visit tinyurl.com/kumcascend for upcoming dates and more information Save the date: November 9- CV and Resume Writing!