A job search guide for students and early careerists
Ken Pelczarski | TLT Career Coach September 2015
Early in your career is the time to lay a solid foundation for future growth.
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ARE YOU A RECENT OR SOON-TO-BE GRADUATE or a post-doctoral researcher who is looking to launch your career with your first permanent position in the lubrication field? The job search process will likely be long, time-consuming, challenging, unpredictable and frustrating. It also will be fun and rewarding with the right attitude and preparation.
I had the privilege of interviewing several students recently over the phone as well as at the STLE 2015 Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Dallas regarding seven primary aspects of the job search process. These students acknowledged experiencing varying levels of difficulty with each of the seven aspects. They welcomed assistance in all areas but placed the highest level of concern and importance on networking and interviewing.
Many job search challenges and strategies are unique to students and early careerists, although most ideas and strategies covered below are relevant at any career stage.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION
The main objective in a job search is finding a position fitting with your short- and long-term career goals. Despite being early in your career with little work and job search experience, this is the time to lay a solid foundation for future growth through the learning acquired and contacts made during the search process.
Below are recommended ways to position yourself even before beginning an active job search:
1. Build relationships. Cultivate relationships throughout academia and industry for potential mutual support. Network regularly by exchanging ideas, assisting others and by conveying your goals, interests and skill set.
2. Be visible. Publish and present papers. Attend STLE conferences, technical meetings, trade shows and social functions.
3. Build a successful track record. Establish yourself as somebody who tackles difficult projects and does what it takes to succeed.
4. Have references handy. Arrange for references from professionals in academia and industry who have supervised your work and know your work ethic and success record. Request written letters of recommendation, including for posting on LinkedIn.
5. Volunteer. Contribute your time and talents to organizations such as STLE. You will build new relationships, expand your network, acquire new learning and be recognized for your dedication to the field of lubrication.
6. Expand learning. Attend STLE education courses, Webinars and technical presentations. Employers recognize professionals who are always looking to improve themselves.
7. Maintain background records. Document accomplishments when they occur so they are not forgotten later. Keep records handy such as education transcripts, list of publications and presentations, awards and honors, list of references and recommendation letters.
GOAL SETTING AND PLANNING
Employers often hire soon-to-graduate master’s- and doctorate-level research professionals months in advance. If you are a graduate student, begin the job search process six to nine months before you are available for full-time employment (three to six months for undergraduate). You may not want to commit to a job offer until two to three months before graduation unless you believe the opportunity is as fitting to your career goals as you will find.
Before starting your active job search, establish your primary goals in a new position. Do you want to pursue a research technical ladder or have the opportunity to move into management? What size company and culture suits you best? Do you want to work for a company that is highly visible and encourages STLE participation? Do you want to work on cutting edge technology?
Below is a job search planning checklist:
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Determine your main goals.
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Prioritize location targets.
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Obtain family support.
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List target employers.
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Identify primary job lead sources.
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Team with select trusted recruiters.
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Document accomplishments and awards.
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Update resume and cover letter.
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Update LinkedIn profile.
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Post resume on Monster, Career Builder, and STLE Career Center.
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Study common interview questions.
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Have references and recommendation letters handy.
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Contact your references and other individuals in your network to inform them of your goals.
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Plan to network at specific industry meetings and conferences.
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Research what you’re worth.
WRITING A RESUME AND COVER LETTER
Your resume and cover letter are usually evaluated carefully before the employer agrees to a formal interview. These two documents are the first big opportunity to differentiate yourself from other students and post-docs who also possess limited practical work experience.
The cover letter is an opportunity to expand upon what is written in your resume and to emphasize your most relevant experience and accomplishments, as well as why you are interested in the company. Maintain a template quarter- to half-page cover letter to be tailored for each job application.
Here are items to include in the cover letter:
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How you heard of the position (mention who referred you if applicable)
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Brief introduction
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Pertinent experience and accomplishments
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Specific benefits and value you offer
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Interest in the company and position
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Your research on the company and why you are a good fit
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Your affinity to the location and the relative ease and low cost to relocate
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No mention of exact salary desired figures
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Request for an on-site interview.
A resume often gets only a 10-second initial look, so write it to make a strong first impression with key information standing out in the top half of the first page. The resume should give just enough information about your background and successes to entice the employer to interview you. The danger of providing too much information is that the employer is more likely to find reasons to reject you and may have difficulty deciphering your main goals and experience.
Below are important resume writing rules:
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Make it easy to read/use a lot of white spacing.
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Don’t write long paragraphs.
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Don’t use photos.
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Check spelling and punctuation.
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Make format consistent.
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Emphasize accomplishments (use bullet points).
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Use powerful action words.
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Use keywords for applicant tracking systems.
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Don’t include salary information.
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List publications, presentations and patents on separate page if lengthy.
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List references separately.
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Resume chronology for a student:
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Contact information
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Skill summary (preferred over job objective)
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Education (formal degrees, certifications, STLE education courses and webinars)
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Experience (internships, co-ops, teaching, summer and part-time work, academic research projects, consulting)
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Military experience
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Memberships, extracurricular and volunteer work
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Awards and honors.
USING SOCIAL MEDIA
This article focuses on LinkedIn, which was launched in 2003 and is the world’s largest and most dominant professional networking site with more than 300 million members. Twitter, Facebook and Google+ also might provide value during your job search.
It is widely recommended to maintain a LinkedIn profile since it is used as a hiring tool by more than 90% of recruiters. Your profile helps you stay connected with peers and provides you with industry visibility regarding your background, accomplishments, interests and goals.
Below are seven actions to implement on LinkedIn to maximize career benefits:
1. Post your background profile. As a student or post-doc, you are likely conducting a non-confidential job search. Be clear about searching for a career opportunity and post highlights of your experience, skill set, accomplishments, education and volunteer work (much of what appears on your resume). Post your email address and/or phone number to be more accessible.
2. Invite contacts from employers and recruiters. Be sure to list
career opportunities and job inquiries among the eight potential areas of interest for which to be contacted by InMail.
3. Build your professional image. Most employers screen candidates on LinkedIn and similar sites. Post a professional headshot photo. Avoid posting off-color or controversial material. Enhance your image by joining industry groups and participating in group discussions.
4. Network and connect. It is likely that you will locate more colleagues and classmates on LinkedIn than you will have time to communicate with consistently. To maximize networking benefits, (1.) invite others to connect with you, (2.) accept others’ invitations to connect, (3.) congratulate others on accomplishments, (4.) introduce others to your contacts, (5.) make your connections available for viewing by those in your network and (6.) offer to help others.
5. Request and provide recommendations and endorsements. Request endorsements and recommendations and reciprocate by offering to endorse and recommend others.
6. Gather information. Research prospective employers, review hiring manager profiles, read feature articles and follow group discussions.
7. Review job postings. There are currently more than 500,000 job postings on LinkedIn, including over 1,400 using the keyword lubricants.
NETWORKING
Networking is by far the most common method of finding a new position. It is estimated that 50%-70% of positions are obtained through networking versus other sources such as advertisements, employer Websites, online resume postings and search firms.
My definition of networking: Career networking is an ongoing process of communicating with others for mutual exchange of ideas, information and interests in order to assist others in fulfilling their needs and goals and help you advance your career and situate yourself in the best possible career role.
Always work on building your network for times when you need it most. As a student or post-doc with an outstanding skill set to offer but with limited experience in industry, building a broad network of contacts is one great way to give yourself an edge over peers.
Excellent places to network include (1.) trade shows and conferences, (2.) technical meetings, (3.) academia, (4.) career fairs, (5.) volunteer venues, (6.) online discussion groups and (7.) social media sites.
Take advantage of your standing in academia to network actively with (1.) professors, (2.) department chairmen, (3.) placement advisors, (4.) industry research partners and (5.) fellow students (share job search experiences and contacts with each other). In addition, network with industry presenters and authors, industry colleagues, technical society/STLE members, recruiters and fellow volunteers.
Here are a few basic networking tips:
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Do not ask directly for a job.
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Be respectful of a person’s time.
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Set up phone or in-person appointments.
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Try to reciprocate with assistance.
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Keep in touch regularly.
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Follow-through on promises.
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Thank network contacts for assistance.
INTERVIEWING
Interviews can be extremely difficult to come by since employers invite only three to four candidates on average for on-site visits for a specific position. That is why it is critical to make the most of every interview. This is your best chance to show who you are and separate yourself from other qualified candidates.
How do you make your best impression? It begins with research and preparation. Start by researching the company’s history, profitability, competitive standing, financial stability, buyout risk, management style, promotion policies, turnover rate and work environment/culture. You can learn a lot about the employer through (1.) the company Website, (2.) social media sites, (3.) articles, (4.) current and past employees, (5.) competitors, (6.) recruiters, (7.) D&B reports and (8.) Google searches. Obtain an interview agenda in advance with names and titles of each participant in order to research individuals on the management team.
Bring as much relevant information to the interview as possible in case the discussion warrants sharing specific documents. Items to have handy include resume (multiple copies), list of patents/publications/presentations, awards and certifications, academic transcripts, recommendation letters, reference list, performance reviews and articles about your work.
A telephone interview will often precede an in-person interview. Treat a phone interview as seriously as an in-person interview and prepare in similar fashion since the employer is likely to ask tough questions and may reject you for an on-site interview.
I recommend that you enter the in-person interview with the idea that the opportunity is perfect for you (even if you have doubts). The objective is to receive a job offer, and you can always decide later not to pursue the opportunity. Below are eight ways to ensure a successful interview:
1. Make a great first impression. Show up on time with a firm handshake and positive attitude. Make good eye contact and exude confidence and enthusiasm. Be attentive and make it a 50/50 discussion.
2. Ask good questions. Ask about a typical work week and about the main challenges and objectives in the role. Inquire about company culture, growth history and future direction.
3. Be ready to answer common questions. The employer will likely ask you about your biggest strengths and weaknesses. You may be asked about your ideal role and where you want to be in three to five years. Be ready to answer why you are interested in the company and why they should hire you. Be prepared with a 30-60 second answer for the statement, “Tell me about yourself.”
4. Sell interest and motivation, not just experience. I call this my 50/50 rule. Half of what gets you hired is your education, experience, skills, capabilities and success record. The other half is your goals, interests, attitude and motivation. As a student with limited practical experience, it is critical to emphasize how you want to use your training and education and why you are sure that the position being offered is one that will challenge you and fulfill your career goals for the foreseeable future. This approach may convince the employer to hire a new graduate like you instead of somebody with more experience.
5. Sell your practical experience. Even though your practical experience may be limited, stress any industry partnership research experience you possess including project successes. This should give the employer confidence in your (1.) ability to adapt to the type of work, (2.) chances of success and (3.) likely satisfaction with the job.
6. Sell strengths you offer at this early career stage. There are many potential advantages for an employer to hire a new graduate versus a candidate with years of experience. Depending upon the employer’s situation, emphasize your (1.) trainability/willingness to learn, (2.) adaptability, (3.) creativity, (4.) hunger to succeed, (5.) fit into a young company culture and (6.) relative ease and low cost to relocate.
7. Do not bring up salary. Discuss salary only if the employer brings it up, but do not request a specific salary figure. Keep things simple and explain that opportunity is more important and that you would be excited to receive their best job offer.
8. Request advancement to the next step. Stress your interest in moving forward! Ask where you stand as a candidate and if the employer has any concerns about pursuing you further. State enthusiastically that you would be interested in further discussions and a potential job offer.
Your follow-up with the employer after an interview can be a significant factor in the company’s decision to pursue you further. Email a thank-you note within one to two days, ideally customized for each interview participant. Emphasize the benefit you bring and the reasons you are interested in the company and the position. Continue to follow up over time until a hiring decision has been made.
JOB OFFER NEGOTIATING
Now that you have come this far in the search process to be considered for a job offer, the goal is to receive a fair and competitive salary offer along with the best possible overall compensation package.
The first step toward effective negotiation is knowing your value. Your worth in the industry will not be a precise figure but a competitive range consisting of a high, medium and low figure, any of which may ultimately be acceptable depending upon opportunity, overall compensation package and location.
As a student or post-doc, you have not yet established a specific value for yourself within the lubrication industry. A job offer from an employer cannot easily be based upon your current salary. However, there are plenty of resources available through which you can learn your approximate worth such as
www.salary.com,
www.monster.com,
www.careerbuilder.com,
www.acs.com (American Chemical Society),
www.staffingindustry.com, your college/university career center and from academic and industry professionals in your network.
Negotiations actually begin before an offer is made, including in subtle ways during the interview process. You will likely be asked about desired salary at various stages of the interview. Be careful regarding the figures you mention because your response may be worked into the equation to your detriment when an offer is made. Try to avoid mentioning specific figures, and instead attempt to learn the ideal salary range the employer has in mind. Respond to the salary question by stating that, although money is important, the company, position and opportunity are more important. Stress that the opportunity is outstanding and you would strongly consider their best competitive job offer.
When a formal job offer is extended, you need to determine if it is in a competitive range and if it adds up to an acceptable overall package including benefits. If the offer is on the low end of an acceptable range, you may want to request a higher salary to bring the offer to the middle of an acceptable range. If you receive what you consider to be an average offer and you are truly a top performer in your field, you may want to request a higher salary based upon your top-level performance to bring the offer to the upper end of an acceptable range. You increase your chances of negotiating a higher job offer if you have done thorough salary research and share these compensation guidelines with the employer.
Attempting to negotiate a higher salary should not be construed negatively by the employer if your request is (1.) reasonable, (2.) substantiated and (3.) non-demanding. Keep in mind that if the employer is not able to increase a salary offer, there may be other areas of compensation, benefits and perks open for negotiation, including:
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Early salary review
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A set raise according to specific performance criteria
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Signing bonus
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Performance bonus
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Guaranteed bonus
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Car
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Car allowance
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COBRA payments
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Vacation
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Cell phone
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Laptop
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Company credit card
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Club memberships
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Relocation expenses.
Good luck in launching your career into a path of challenge, personal growth, job satisfaction and financial rewards!
Ken Pelczarski is owner and founder of Pelichem Associates, a Chicago-based search firm established in 1985 and specializing in the lubricants industry. You can reach Ken at (630) 960-1940 or at pelichem@aol.com.