JUMP START YOUR POST-GRAD JOB SEARCHCYNTHIA DANTAS, CAREER SERVICES

JOB SEARCH

April 23, 2014

Agenda

• Proactive vs. reactive search• Quality over quantity • Talk to strangers• Achieve a balance

PROACTIVE VS. REACTIVE SEARCH

Reactive• Open to anything; just wants experience• Applies exclusively through online portals/websites/job boards• Uses the same resume and cover letter repeatedly• Hopes for the best and waits for a call to interview

Proactive• Knows what s/he wants• Conducts research to find best fit (e.g. industry, interests, skills,

culture, values)• Creates list of the top 10 organizations s/he wants to work for• Finds and reaches out to connections at these organizations• Utilizes contacts when applying for jobs

PROACTIVE SEARCH - CASE STUDY

Career search strategy:• Focused: knows his interests: epidemiology/health research• Set up Career Sonar• Sets up Google alerts for individuals/target orgs; follows on

LinkedIn/Twitter• Reaches out to contacts to build common ground and

relationship; asks for ADVICE• Balances networking with applications (15-20 networking

meetings, applied to 20 jobs)• Sets up job RSS feeds/visits top 10 target org websites 1x/week• Applies within a week of job being posted

Results after six weeks: • Five first round interviews and currently in three second round

interviews

PROACTIVE SEARCH - TOOLS

Tufts contacts• Career Connector jobs & employer contacts:

https://health-tufts-csm.symplicity.com/students/• Tufts PHPD LinkedIn Group

https://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=775197&trk=my_groups-b-grp-v

• Tufts Online Community: http://tuftsalumni.org/

Online tools• CareerSonar: https://www.careersonar.com/• LinkedIn jobs, groups, follow companies• Twitter: follow companies and individuals• Google alerts: http://www.google.com/alerts

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Quantity • Overwhelmed with the possibilities• Feels sense of accomplishment for submitting many

applications• The same resume and cover letter are used for every

opportunity• Doesn’t personalize the application to the organization

and/or job

Quality• Researches the organization thoroughly • Assesses the position and modifies resume accordingly• Writes the cover letter from scratch for every submission• Highlights the most relevant experience in the cover letter• Addresses the “why” question/draws upon connections (to coursework, colleagues)

QUALITY - CASE STUDY

Career Search Strategy:• Very focused on ACA/health quality/health policy/data analysis in

either government or consulting• Chose courses and ALE that would help him develop the essential

skills• Spent time crafting LinkedIn profile• Used CC and saw a health policy consulting position and applied

with personalized cover letter

Result:• After applying to only two jobs*, contacted for an interview• After three rounds of interviews, accepted job

*Disclaimer: Result not typical

QUALITY - TOOLS

• CC cover letter and resume guides• Individual coaching appointments for materials review• LinkedIn Profile Tips:

http://university.linkedin.com/content/dam/university/global/en_US/site/pdf/LinkedIn%20Profile%20Checklist%20-%20College%20Students.pdf

• Research organizations• Annual reports• http://www.guidestar.org/ (nonprofits)• http://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm• http://www.linkedin.com

TALK TO STRANGERS

Inappropriate:• Informal• Asks for too much • Goal is to get a job• Sees exchange as a transaction• No follow up

Appropriate:• Formal• Asks for information, knowledge, advice• Sees the meeting as a foundation for building a professional

relationship• Views exchange as mutually beneficial (give and take)• Follows up with everyone to thank and provide updates

TALK TO STRANGERS - CASE STUDY

Career Search Strategy:• Goal was to work in healthcare management• Felt “young” so strengthened resume with internships, RA, ALE• Pragmatic about seeking experiences and advice, which helped

her refine interests and priorities• Ultimately changed her career goal within target industry• Built relationships with supervisors and preceptor who helped

connect her to others

Result:• Had several interviews, all through personal contacts• Received multiple offers• Successfully negotiated significant salary increase with her top

choice

TALK TO STRANGERS – TIPS AND TOOLS

• CC Professional communications guide• Career Realism Tips (online/in person):

http://www.careerealism.com/category/networking/• Join associations:

http://publichealth.tufts.edu/Student-Services/Career-Services/Current-Students/Career-Resources-Networking-1/Professional%20Associations

BALANCE

• “Finding a job is a full-time job”• Balance your workload; don’t ignore the job search• It’s all about time management

• Be balanced in your career search approach: don’t focus on only one activity• Know what it is important to you in a job/career – don’t waste time on

organizations that don’t fit what you want and need in a job

FIND BALANCE IN THE SEARCH

• Find the right mix of activities, factoring in that a large % of jobs are not advertised:• Networking emails and meetings• Online applications• Resumes on job boards (e.g. Monster.com)• LinkedIn requests, research, profile edits• Internships, ALE, research assistantships

IN CONCLUSION

• Questions?• Next steps