The Effective Nonacademic Job Search Thomas Magaldi, PhD 6/21/16 Office of Career and Professional Development thomasmagaldi@gmail.com 1
Know Yourself Before You Apply Group discussion 1. What is the most difficult part of searching for jobs? 2. Where do you find nonacademic jobs? 3. How long does it take to find a job? 4. Does the most qualified person always get the job? Why or why not? 2
The precision approach to job hunting 1. Try to solve the company s problems 2. Use your network 3. Prepare powerful and specific application materials 4. Apply to attainable jobs 5. Know where to find jobs The me centered job search Job Seeker Company PROBLEM SOLUTION 3
The me centered approach Research: Salary, titles, responsibilities, day to day Application strategy: Any and all jobs Resume: list ALL skills. Don t Decode the skills Network: focus on what your network can do for you The company centered job search Company Job Seeker PROBLEM SOLUTION 4
The company centered approach Research: Application strategy: Resume: Network: 5
Building relationships is to career counselors as a rock is to Sisyphus Reason#1. The complex hiring process Online App System HR Recruiter Hiring Manager Peers Company Leadership 6
Reason#1. The complex hiring process 400 Online App System HR Recruiter Filter #1 Keywords Hiring Manager Peers Company Leadership Reason#1. The complex hiring process Online App System 40 HR Recruiter Filter #2 6.5 Seconds Eligible & Fit Hiring Manager Peers Company Leadership 7
Reason#1. The complex hiring process Online App System HR Recruiter 10-12 phone interviews Filter #3 Impact Hiring Manager 6-8 to manager Peers Company Leadership Reason#1. The complex hiring process Online App System HR Recruiter 3-4 final candidates Filter #4 Team Culture & Likeability Hiring Manager Peers Company Leadership 8
Reason#1. The complex hiring process Online App System HR Recruiter Hiring Manager Filter #5 Final Look 1-2 final candidates Peers Company Leadership Reason#2. Connected and yet disconnected 9
Most jobs come through networking How did you find your current job? 2012 2011 2010 Networking 46% 45% 47% Internet Job 25% 26% 24% Board Agency 14% 13% 10% Direct Approach 7% 7% 8% Advertisement 1% 1% 2% Other 7% 8% 9% Right Management Survey, 2012 46,000 clients participated in this survey Networking and my own job searches Networked No Yes Total number of Jobs 100* 19 No interview 98 5 Interview 2** 14 Success Rate 2% 73% * Estimate ** Networking helped me land one of these jobs 10
How can your network assist you Ways that your network can assist you with the search 11
Ways that your network can assist you with the search Ways that your network can assist you with the search 12
Networking is best done well before you are on the job market Need a Job Why would anyone want to help me? I have nothing to offer in return. 13
You have much to offer others You have much to offer others 14
You have much to offer others You have much to offer others 15
Helping others increases our happiness Remember to let people know how they helped 16
Those who give more than they take have more success in their careers. How to get others to answer your email (Adam Grant) Excellent subject line Why them? Do your homework Highlight uncommon commonalities Make your request specific and concise Express your gratitude https://goo.gl/k5iufs 17
Maintain relationships with new contacts Social media likes and comments Invite them to events Email articles and congratulations Introduce them to others Coffee meetings What resources and organizations at Berkeley can you use to build your network? 18
Application material that differentiates you 19
Academic CVs vs. Nonacademic Resumes 20
Can you apply for jobs that you are overqualified for? Why are companies hesitant to hire overqualified employees? 21
Why are companies hesitant to hire overqualified employees? Why are companies hesitant to hire overqualified employees? 22
Why are companies hesitant to hire overqualified employees? Alleviate the company s concerns Show commitment to the company Highlight only relevant skills Tell them why are you applying Do Not remove your PhD from your resume! 23
Dealing with underqualification Why are companies hesitant to hire inexperienced employees? 24
Why are companies hesitant to hire inexperienced employees? Why are companies hesitant to hire inexperienced employees? 25
Why are companies hesitant to hire inexperienced employees? Address potential hesitations about academics 26
Applying for a job that you are not 100% qualified for Emphasize skills over total years of experience Include skills and experiences beyond academia Focus on the most important requirements Use your network Be reasonable Which jobs should a biology postdoc apply for? (see your handout) 27
International Scholars and the US Job Search Understand your visa restrictions and the challenges that you will face on the job market Research the companies that have a history of sponsoring employees for work visas Find advocates within these companies What is your plan to stay in the US? 28
Where can you find jobs? Internet Job Boards o Indeed, Ventureloop, Idealist, D.O.C, LinkedIn searches and subgroups Professional Societies Your Advisor YOUR NETWORK Keeping track of job postings RSS Feeds such as http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/ Indeed: http://www.indeed.com/alert?l=&radius=25 Bookmarks Keep an excel file and folders for all jobs to which you applied LinkedIn customized searches https://www.linkedin.com/job/home?trk=nav_responsive_sub_nav_jobs 29
Recruiters Definition: Individuals or organizations who work to fill job openings at companies They are hired by a company to find candidates for positions that are difficult to fill Typically, recruiters are paid a fee if the candidate is hired A candidate is a commodity not a client A recruiter is only as good as the candidates who they work with Finding a recruiter Most recruiters will find you Search jobs boards; ask your network; LinkedIn Email recruiters your resume and concisely state your interests Working with a recruiter should only entail a small fraction of your job search strategy 30
Find a Job Search Buddy 31
The job search will not always align with your timeframe What should I do if I don t hear back? Be patient Ask your network for advice Keep networking, researching, and applying for jobs Follow up one week after the deadline they provided. If they did not provide a deadline, follow up about a month after you applied. 32
Managing your emotions and expectations Managing your emotions and expectations 33
Managing your emotions and expectations Managing your emotions and expectations 34
The first job will be the hardest job to find Optimistic, Pessimistic, or Realistic Pessimists complain about the wind; Optimists expect it to change; Realists change the sails William A. Ward 35
Questions? 36