How To Get A Job

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How To Get A Job

• Tips From The Experiences Of
• Garrett W. Oakley
• Department of Chemistry
• University of Florida
• May 19, 2005

2
Disclaimer

• Many of these point are my opinions that I have
  formed from my personal experiences
• You do not have to follow all these techniques to
  be successful, but I believe the more you do, the
  better off you will be
• Even if all techniques are consistently followed,
  it still may take 6-8 months to get a good offer
  Be patient!

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Methods Of Attack
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Attack The Job Search From Multiple Angles

• Networking
• Mass mailing/emailing
• Using the UF CRC as a resource
• On-campus career fairs
• Company information sessions
• Appling online (Mainly use internet as a search
  tool)

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Networking, Networking, Networking

• Everyone you know is a network contact!
• Former group members/Polymer floor members
• Company employees you meet at career fairs and
  information sessions
• Anyone interviewing you
• Gator Club presidents
• Your friends and family
• Your doctor, dentist, hairdresser, etc.
• It is up to you to maximize your time by
  prioritizing the people you talk with

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What Is Networking?

• You are NOT asking your contact for a job
• You are asking them for advice
• Your contacts may even be flattered that you are
  seeking their thoughts
• Ask them if they know of any opportunities
• Their company, other companies, people you should
  contact, advice on the job search, etc.

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Networking Call Suggestions

• Have a goal (and a backup goal)
• Ex) Set up a time to talk, send a resume, make a
  contact within the company, etc.
• If it is during the work day, they are busy
• Always ask if now is a good time to talk
• Dont reminisce
• If the contact is not giving you much, ask them
  question about themselves and the company
• Always thank them for their time and advice

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Follow Up Or You Will Be Ignored

• You have to actively follow up with each
  opportunity
• Industry is slow at getting back to you,
  sometimes they do not even respond
• Be active, but do not be pushy about things do
  not become a pest
• Each time you contact someone, choose a date (2-3
  weeks away) as to next time you want to follow up
  with someone (if you do not hear from them) and
  put it on your calendar/organizational tool to
  remind you

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Postal Mail vs Email

• Postal Mail
• Advantages
• Have something tangible
• Can use quality paper
• Some people prefer it
• You can show extra effort
• Disadvantages
• Some consider it outdated
• People do not know what to do with a paper copy
• Its slow
• Need an address

• Email
• Advantages
• Preferred by most people
• Easy to forward
• Its fast
• Easy to print
• Do not need an address
• Disadvantages
• Email is easily overlooked (or easily deleted)
• They have to print

Message Use Both!
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Treat Each Email Like It Is A Profession Letter

• Put a heading at the top with the persons name,
  title, and company
• Date is optional (it is email), but I think it
  make is look more professional
• No typos or errors
• If you are unsure, check it
• Read everything over carefully
• Have a nice signature with your contact info at
  the bottom of the email

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UF Career Resource Center A Valuable Resource

• The CRC is located on first floor of the Reitz
  Union
• Their job is to help you find a job!
• Use their resources
• Attend workshops
• Resume/cover letter critiques
• Career fairs
• Info Sessions
• On-campus interviews

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Campus Career Fairs

• Have a one-minute commercial to sell yourself
• Plan out what companies you want to see and
  research them beforehand
• Get your bearing once you are there Do not
  start out with the companies that are most
  important to you
• Very useful for making contacts

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Company Info Sessions

• This is a wonderful place to make network
  contacts and learn what the company is looking
  for
• The same people are often holding on-campus
  interviews the next day
• Bring copies of your resume
• Go with goals
• Getting an on-campus interview (if you do not
  already have one)
• Making network contacts

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Applying Online Is Futile (But Necessary)

• Most companies require that you complete this
  step (sometimes twice)
• When you are talking to a potential employer
  (especially at career fairs), you are typically
  asked if you have already applied online It is
  nice to be able to say, Yes
• Realize, however, that it is not a fruitful use
  of your time
• You need to get your foot in the door another way

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Getting Started
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When Should You Start Looking?

• I suggest allowing 2-3 semesters of looking if
  you want to start work shortly after graduation
• Balance research and writing up with the job
  search
• Once you have defended, you are available to
  start in a few weeks notice Use this to your
  advantage if you can

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The Polymer Floor Rolodex

• This is a great place to start
• Sarah has it on a electronic file
• Not always up-to-date
• Check addresses, titles, and company name at your
  discretion
• Be warned Incorrect or outdated information can
  be perceived as lack of research (lack of
  interest)

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Before Doing Anything, You Need

• A solid cover letter
• A solid resume
• Seek several peoples advice on content
• Your adviser
• Group/Floor members
• CRC employees

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The Cover Letter

• The purpose of the cover letter is to get the
  person to look at your resume
• Format is subjective, but I like
• Paragraph 1 State your interest and your
  expertise
• Paragraph 2 Sell yourself (most important part)
• What make you stand out from everyone else?
• Paragraph 3 Brief closing, restating interest

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The Cover Letter

• If it is too long, they likely will not read it!
• Be on the brief side
• Put someones name, address, and title on it
• NOT Dear Sir/Madam or To Whom It May Concern
• Make sure it is correct and up-to-date
• Research and networking pays off!
• However, an incorrect name (spelled wrong or
  outdated company name) is worse than no name at
  all

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The Resume

• The purpose of your resume is to get an interview
• Leave off the Objective (My opinion)
• Unless you know exactly what type of job you want
  (in which case are limiting yourself), this can
  only hurt you
• Put your strongest points on the first page
• Your first page should be able to stand alone

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The Resume

• No longer than two pages for PhD level
• I used to have three pages, and I got feedback
  from several companies that suggested a two-page
  version
• If publications are too long, I suggest that for
  an optional third page that you can offer to the
  company
• When applying online, text CV version can and
  should be longer
• Create two versions, one to print and one to
  paste in online text boxes

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Screening Interviews

• The purpose of the screening interview is to get
  an onsite interview
• Usually on-campus or by phone
• Typically discuss your research
• Mostly behavioral interview questions
• Always have several questions ready to ask
• Get them to talk about themselves

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Onsite Interviews

• The purpose of the onsite interview is get an
  offer
• These are longs days It is difficult, but
  important to keep up your enthusiasm
• Make every interview count Every has to like
  you
• You are being judge by people during the whole
  trip (even if there is a dinner)

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Onsite Interviews

• You generally give a 30-50 minute presentation
• This is where people form their technical opinion
  of you
• Your answering of the questions is (in my
  opinion) the most important part of the whole
  onsite interview
• You undergo a series of interviews (each company
  is a little different)
• Typically you see a mix of behavioral and
  technical questions

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The Offer Game

• Companies are hesitant to give an offer unless
  you already have an offer It helps to be able
  to say that you have one
• Only tell them the company name if it is
  recognizable The more respected, the better
• When asked if you have an offer, do not just say,
  No, if you actually do not say something like,
  I have interviewing with a variety of companies
  across the country, and a few have expressed
  significant interest in my skill set

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The Offer Game

• Follow up every lead, even if you are not
  actually interested in the position Being able
  to say you have an offer will make you more
  attractive (and confident)
• Explore venues like
• Small companies
• Postdocs (industrial and academic)
• Government positions
• U.S. Patent Office was mine

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Do Not Make This Mistake

• YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OFFER
• UNTIL IT IS IN WRITING!!!!!!

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The Offer Game

• Once you have an offer in writing, you have some
  leverage with the company and even other
  companies (finally)
• Let all the other companies you are still
  interested in know ASAP They may become more
  interested in you
• Typically, once you receive one offer, you start
  receiving multiple offers Use offers as
  leverage in negotiating salary

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Negotiate Salary At Your Discretion

• Once you accept the offer, negotiations are over
  This is you only chance
• Many people regret not negotiating salary before
  accepting
• All your raises are based on starting salary
• An increase in starting salary of 2000-5000 can
  make a difference of 250,000 in your career
• Take a class if possible Mark Lyden from Boeing
• 2/3 people do not negotiate the other 1/3 is bad
  at it

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Tips If You Do Negotiate Salary

• Have a script and a plan
• Were Close From Mark Lyden
• My ideal salary is (I.O.7000) with a range of
  (I.O.2000) to (I.O.7000)
• Never let the conversation go in a negative
  direction
• Once they, say, No, immediately change the
  subject
• Ask about the persons view of the company, the
  area, benefits, etc.
• Then come back after he/she is more comfortable
  with you
• If salary negotiations fail, you can try
  negotiating benefits, relocation, etc.

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Preparing For Interviews
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Research Always Helps

• Companies view research as interest in the
  company (and consequently lack of research as
  lack of interest)
• Know general knowledge about the company
• Number of employees, revenue, place of
  headquarters, etc.
• Find out the traits that the company values (This
  is what they are looking for) Generally found
  on the company website
• Find areas of the company that you are interested
  in
• Learn about the contact persons background

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The Companys Values/Mission Statement

• These bits on the company webpage are gold to the
  job seeker
• You need to fill your interview conversation with
  examples of how you exhibit these qualities
• Have one good example for each value on the
  website
• Each company is different they value different
  skills in their employees depending on the
  company culture

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Researching Someones Background

• Dig into their background to in attempt to answer
  question like
• What schools did they attend?
• If they did a PhD, who did they work for?
• What have they worked on?
• What has been their career path?
• What are their hobbies?
• Being knowledgeable about your contact persons
  history works magic!

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Researching Someones Background

• SciFinder searches
• Publications usually say what schools they
  attended
• Google searches
• Sometimes very fruitful/Sometimes not so much
• See if their former research group(s) has an
  alumni page
• Look to be able to ask intelligent questions
  about their background
• It will show your interest in the company by
  being interested in them

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Types Of Question

• Technical questions
• Mostly about your research
• Behavioral questions
• Specific situations
• Classic questions
• Your background, strengths, etc.

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What Is A Behavioral Interview Question?

• These questions are asked to get you to be
  specific about experiences you have had
• They ask on the reasoning that your past behavior
  will be similar to your future behavior
• Then they judge you on whether or not your past
  behavior will be a good fit with their company
  culture

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Some Examples Behavioral Interview Questions

• Give me an example of a time when you were on a
  team and someone was not pulling their weight?
• Give me an example of a time when you exhibited
  leadership skills?
• Give me an example of a time when a project you
  were working on failed?

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Answers Behavioral Interview QuestionsWith The
STAR Technique

• S Situation Background information
• T Task What needed to be done?
• A Action taken What action did you take?
• R Result What was the result?
• Your answers should take approximately two
  minutes (no longer than five minutes)

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You Cannot Prepare For All Possible Question

• You must be able to think on the spot word
  choice is important
• It is alright to take a minute to think through
  your answer
• Do not just say the first thing that comes to
  your mind think about why they are asking the
  question and does your behavior in the answer fit
  into the company culture
• The same situation can be described in two
  different ways, one perceived well, one not the
  only difference is word choice

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How To Prepare for Behavior Questions

• Find 8-10 stories from your past (more is even
  better) where you display the qualities that
  companies typically look for
• You will be able to pick and choose from your
  library depending on the questions asked
• You will find that many of your stories can be
  used to answer several different questions

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You Will Need Situations That Cover The Topics

• Conflict
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Problem solving
• Disagreements with coworkers/boss
• Stress

• Persuasion
• Risk taking
• Contributing
• Being overwhelmingly busy
• Projects failing
• Proud achievements

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Practice Your Answers

• Find websites with examples online (a google
  search on behavioral interview questions will
  produce several)
• Make sure you have a story that fits for all of
  them
• Practice out loud until you are comfortable
  telling them

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Also Have Answers To These Classic Questions

• What are your strengths?
• Be able to rattle off 4-5 on a whim
• What is your interest in Company X?
• How did you decide on Florida/your undergraduate
  institute?
• What salary are you looking for?
• What are your hobbies?
• Believe it or not, companies like well-rounded
  people

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Take An Interest In Your Interviewer

• The best questions ask about their experiences
• What is your education background/work history?
• Why did you come to the company?
• Why do you stay at the company?
• How have you progressed at the company?
• What is your role in the group?
• What is the most exciting project you have worked
  on here?
• People love to talk about themselves
• You usually get good insight into what it is like
  to be an employee and the type of people they
  hire Think of it as a case study

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Other Good Topics For Questions To Ask

• The boss management philosophy
• Your responsibilities
• Your daily schedule
• Measurement of success
• Your top priorities in the position
• Biggest challenge the group/company faces
• Learning curve

• Important projects
• Future of the company
• Routes for advancement
• Handling conflict
• Fostering a team environment
• Retention at company
• Things that separate this company from others

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My Favorite Last Question

• I want to be successful if I come to work here
• What advice do you have for me?
• These people are already successful
• They are usually honest and talk from their own
  experiences
• I have gotten really good advice that I will
  surely use wherever I end up

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Ending The Interview

• Always get business card/contact information
• Find out about the timeline How long will it
  take to hear back from them?
• Thank them for their time and advice
• Enthusiastically express your interest Leave on
  a positive note

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In Preparing Your Onsite Interview Presentation

• KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!!!!
• Gauge the amount of background for what is
  appropriate to the audience (A non-polymer
  chemist might not know what a step-growth polymer
  is)
• I suggest a slide on why your project is useful
  to the world industry is application driven
• Show as much as can of your contributions
• If you worked on several projects, do not focus
  on one show that you tried different things

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When Asked Questions At The Presentation

• They will question/attack your work
• It is important to be perceived as composed when
  under fire It a lot like the oral exam
• Treat the people asking questions with respect by
  acknowledging that they are asking a good
  question (even if they are not)
• I understand why you are asking that question
  because
• You make a good point, but

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Less Obvious Resources
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Gator Club Presidents

• Great network contact if you are interested in a
  particular company in a particular area
• Go to the Florida Alumni webpage
  http//www.ufalumni.ufl.edu/
• Click the link for Gator Clubs
• Lists each president by area
• The will help you make contacts with people in
  the area

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Contacting Gator Club Presidents

• Tell them of your interest in the company and
  area
• Ask if there are any UF alumni at the company
• Explain that you would be interested in joining
  the local Gator Club chapter if you make the move
• It has been my experience that he/she uses their
  whole pool of networking contacts (both UF and
  non-UF people) to help you out

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JobsByFax.com

• Use at your own discretion, but this can be a
  useful tool
• You choose parameters and this company faxes your
  resume and cover letter to hundred/thousands of
  companies
• Catches
• You do not know what companies they are sending
  it to until after they are sent
• You aught to act like you were the one that faxed
  it when you receive a phone call

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Books That Helped Me

• The Perfect Interview How to Get the Job You
  Really Want By John D. Drake
• Outlines the basics of networking
• Helps you prepare for several of the harder
  questions
• How To Win Friends and Influence People By
  Dale Carnegie
• Learn general people skills that will help you in
  every aspect of life

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Websites That Helped Me

• Wagener Group Alumni Page
• You never leave the group you simply change
  locations. -KBW
• Monster.com
• My only online success story came from Monster
• Plus they have an extensive advice section
• Alan N. Daum and Asso., Inc webpage
• http//www.adaum.com/index.html
• Career advice and Job search sections

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Final Thoughts
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Find Your Own Way To Be Organized

• You must know who and when you need to follow up
  with
• Suggestions
• Index cards of network contacts
• List of contacts on a spreadsheet with columns
  for last contact date and next planned contact
  date if you do not hear back from them
• A job diary Helps to remind you when you talked
  with each contact

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Patience Is A Virtue

• You WILL get a job!
• Things move slow
• The decision to hire or not hire comes down to
  some fairly bizarre and random things dont let
  it get you down
• Ex) The way you answer a question not your
  answer

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Do Not Let Rejection Bother You

• You cannot lose your sense of self-worth!
• Other companies will sense you dont feel like
  your as good as you really are if you are down on
  yourself
• You need tough skin
• Some people are lucky (Ed) others work 6-8
  months to get a good offer (myself, John Sworen,
  Tim Hopkins, Carl Gaupp, Jim Pawlow, etc.)
• Be consistent Dont give up! -KBW

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Learn From Your Mistakes

• It may be difficult to hear, but inquire as to
  why you were not hired after a rejection
• Just listen Never argue back
• Learn as much as you can about yourself and the
  way you are perceived
• It may make a difference in future interviews

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Closing Remarks

• Please consider me a network contact
• I will happily offer you any help or advice I can
  in your job search
• I can email anyone a copy of this presentation,
  as well as copies of my resume, cover letters,
  networking emails, etc. (even after I leave)
• Do not be overwhelmed This is doable

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Summary

• Networking is key
• Take an interest in your interviewer
• Use all the resources at your disposal
• Be consistent in your approach

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Acknowledgements

• Dr. Wagener
• Wagener Group/Polymer Floor Members
• Past Present
• Career Resource Center
• Aforementioned Books and Websites

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