Finding a Rewarding Career: It s More Than a Job Greg Lardy NDSU Animal Sciences
Objectives How to increase your odds at being successful at finding a career Do s and don ts of the job search Where to look for jobs Resumes vs. CV s How to approach the application, the interview process, hiring process, negotiating salaries/start up packages Use of social media in the job search
Understand Who Can Help Your university career center resume review, mock interviewing, career fair prep and job search assistance Your advisor/faculty mentors Your professional network Take advantage of the resources at your fingertips!
Networking
Networking Dictionary.com definition a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest One of the most important aspects of the job search Professional meetings, trade shows, other meetings Perfect opportunity to network
Networking Your professional network begins with your university Faculty and staff Other students Alumni The sooner you begin to develop your network, the better Social media--e.g. LinkedIn
Networking Professional meetings and trade shows Meet potential employers Learn about companies, universities, government agencies Take your CV or resume as many conferences and trade shows have job boards Remember potential employers are in the audience when you give a presentation
AKA: Networking--Using a Headhunter Recruiter, Executive Search Consultant, Executive Recruiter Why? Allows the company to access personnel who are not actively looking for a position Gets them a better short list of qualified applicants Generally used more for positions requiring experience vs. entry level
Networking--Using a Headhunter Advantages Able to identify multiple leads Access to jobs which are not advertised in traditional channels Broader geography Ability to conduct a discrete job search Disadvantages Some may be feebased May be geared more toward careers requiring experience
Networking--Using a Headhunter Do s Ask about the fee structure up front Determine if they have experience in meats, food, or ag careers Ask for a list or examples of recent placements Provide input into what type of job you want Don ts Expect overnight results Stop looking and networking on your own
Shaping Your Career What interests you? What are your passionate about? What do you value? What do you enjoy?
Finding Job Leads Your professional network will be your best source Advisor/former advisor Colleagues Alumni/friends Web sites, listservs, etc. http://careers.meatscience.org/ http://www.fass.org/jobs/
Resume s and CV s
Definitions Resume a brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience, as that prepared by an applicant for a job Curriculum-Vitae (CV) Also called vita, vitae. a brief biographical résumé of one's career and training, as prepared by a person applying for a job Source: Dictionary.com
Resume s vs. CV s Resumes Shorter Employment history Education More common in business, marketing, sales, and other corporate positions CV s Longer Complete educational background Lists of publications, teaching and research experience, honors Typically used in academic, education, scientific or research positions
Resumes vs. CV s Resume Industry positions Sales Marketing Finance Other entry level positions CV Academic positions Teaching Research Extension Highly technical industry positions
Resumes vs. CV s Resume Name Contact information Education Experience Skills CV s Name Contact information Education Experience Skills Research and teaching experience Publications Grants and fellowships Professional associations, licenses, awards
What Makes a Strong Resume? Action verbs + skills + tasks = Results Chaired our sororities annual bake sale and developed a committee structure to improve communication and increased sales by 58% Developed a new sausage formula which reduced costs and resulted in improved shelf life Refined the methodology for tenderness determination resulting in more repeatable results
What Makes a Strong Resume? Effective use of white space (poor example) Honey Ham Products Intern. May-August 2011. In this job I got to do lots of fun activities like taste testing the hams as they came out of the brine. The plant I worked at had 850 workers and housed most of upper level management. We made 14,000 pounds of whole hams and 28,000 pounds of processed hams each day. My hours were from 8 AM to 5 PM and I had to work some weekends. I also took two trips to other plants and learned their quality control was better than the plant I worked at. I also helped with the company picnic.
What Makes a Strong Resume? Effective use of white space (better example) Honey Ham Products Intern. May-August 2011. Major duties included taste testing and quality assurance. Developed a standard operating procedure for taste testing that improved customer satisfaction in store tests by 13%. Also led the committee which organized the company picnic which involved feeding 850 plant workers. Observed quality control measures at two other company plants.
References Give careful consideration to who you choose a references They should know you well What are your qualifications? Work history Provide them with the information they need to help you get the interview Resume, CV, application materials, discuss your interest in the position with them
Interviews
What is the Purpose of an Interview? For your potential employer to learn more about you For you to learn more about your potential employer To learn more about the company, agency, or institution What is the culture? To gain a better understanding of the job duties, requirements, and expectations NDSU Animal Sciences
What Are Employers Looking For? Are you a good fit for the company and the position? High probability of being successful Self-starter Dependable Good people skills Goal-oriented Good communication skills NDSU Animal Sciences
Preparation Begins Long Before the Trip to Interview! Review your email address Is it professional? sixpack@bud.com may not be the image you want to portray Review your social networking sites Are there photos, videos, or comments that lack professionalism? Review your voice mail message Is it professional and courteous? NDSU Animal Sciences
What Should I Do To Prepare? Study the company What do they do? What kind of business environment do they operate in? What are the areas of excellence? Visit with your current advisor or other mentors about the company NDSU Animal Sciences
What Should I Do To Prepare? Review the position description What questions do you have about the position and the duties associated with it?
What Should I Do To Prepare? Come prepared to sell yourself Why do you want to this job? What interests you? What makes you qualified? Come prepared to ask questions NDSU Animal Sciences
Don t Forget Your People Skills! NDSU Animal Sciences
What Should You Learn in the Interview? Is this a position that truly interests me? Can I see myself doing this as a career? Can I be passionate about this company, institution, or agency? Does it truly interest me? Will I feel comfortable working for this company? Does the culture fit? Does it offer opportunities for advancement? Does it fit my plan? Does it fit my lifestyle? NDSU Animal Sciences
What Should You Learn in the Interview? What are the expectations? How will I be evaluated? How will I be trained? What are the potential projects that I might be working on? Do these sound interesting? Are they something I would enjoy? NDSU Animal Sciences
What Should You Learn in the Interview? You will likely meet with Human Resources Pay attention to the benefit package Relocation expenses Insurance Profit sharing NDSU Animal Sciences
More Tips Be on time, arrive early Bring a paper and pen Have your list of questions with you Take notes Dress professionally and conservatively No gum chewing No tobacco Turn off your cell phone They don t have an app for an interview! NDSU Animal Sciences
More Tips Don t be afraid to seek help prior to the visit Instructors Mentors Set up a mock interview Be prepared to discuss why you are qualified E.g. academics, research experience, internships, training, etc. Ask questions NDSU Animal Sciences
Negotiating the Start Up Package-Academic Positions Be realistic Be sure your request is related to the job description Don t expect a $100K startup package for a 90% teaching or extension position Ask for resources which will ensure your success
Negotiating the Start Up Package-Academic Positions Tools for success GRA support Technical support Equipment Operating funds
Using Social Media Another form of networking Be sure to project a professional image Look over ALL the photos and videos you are tagged in Consider using sites like Linkedin Designed more for professional and career social networks as opposed to facebook or myspace
Summary Begin your job search with an assessment of your interests, passions, strengths, weaknesses Utilize your networks effectively Portray a professional image Don t be afraid to ask for help
Questions? NDSU Animal Sciences