Graduate Student Professional Development University of Denver 2/13/09 Job Search Strategies in Student Affairs Dr. Jody Donovan Associate Dean of Students/ Executive Director of Parent and Family Programs & Kacee Collard Graduate Assistant Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs Colorado State University

Four Key Components Preparing for a job search Preparing for a job search Resume and letters Resume and letters Interviewing Interviewing Negotiation Negotiation

Preparing for a Job Search Functional Areas Functional Areas Personal Preferences Personal Preferences Geographic Factors Geographic Factors Position Characteristics Position Characteristics

Job Search Timeline First Year of Grad School First Year of Grad School Determine your dream job Determine your dream job Network Network Find a mentor Find a mentor Read about the current issues in your chosen functional area Read about the current issues in your chosen functional area Keep an open mind by continuing to learn new things Keep an open mind by continuing to learn new things

Job Search Timeline Second Year of Grad School Second Year of Grad School Professional association memberships Professional association memberships Resume and cover letter Resume and cover letter Conferences and placement Conferences and placement Practice interviewing Practice interviewing Utilize Career Center for strengths and abilities Utilize Career Center for strengths and abilities Research schools in which you are interested Research schools in which you are interested Follow-up on positions you’ve applied for Follow-up on positions you’ve applied for Network Network

Job Search Websites

Resume and Letters Introduction Introduction Types of Resumes Types of Resumes Chronological vs. Functional Chronological vs. Functional Style Considerations Style Considerations Job Application Letter Job Application Letter Thank You Letter Thank You Letter References References

Interviewing Tips Before the interview Before the interview Conference interviews Conference interviews Phone interviews Phone interviews On campus interviews On campus interviews After the interviews After the interviews

Conference Interviewing 30 minute screening for both candidate & institution 30 minute screening for both candidate & institution Always “interviewing” throughout the conference –networking! Always “interviewing” throughout the conference –networking! Be prepared – clothing, shoes, supplies Be prepared – clothing, shoes, supplies 2 nd the conference 2 nd the conference

Phone Interviews Prepare! Prepare! Know the job description, length of interview, committee members Strengths, Examples of accomplishments, Areas of focus related to job description Strengths, Examples of accomplishments, Areas of focus related to job description Smile while speaking, dress, phone, space, time Smile while speaking, dress, phone, space, time Questions! Questions! Think about what their questions say about the campus, culture & climate Think about what their questions say about the campus, culture & climate Express appreciation Express appreciation Ask about timeline & next steps Ask about timeline & next steps

On Campus Interviews Prepare! Prepare! Schedule, interviews, formal & informal time Schedule, interviews, formal & informal time Clothing & accessories Clothing & accessories Strengths, challenges, examples of accomplishments, style, action plans, goals, vision Strengths, challenges, examples of accomplishments, style, action plans, goals, vision Questions! Questions! Assess campus climate & culture, read newspaper, talk with students, explore campus Assess campus climate & culture, read newspaper, talk with students, explore campus Express appreciation Express appreciation

The Offer References!! References!! The phone call The phone call Take time Take time Soul search Soul search Do your research Do your research

What is Negotiation? Broadly defined, negotiation is the process of back-and-forth communication aimed at reaching an agreement with others when some of your interests are shared and some are opposed.

Another Way of Looking at Negotiation Joint problem solving... is soft on the people and hard on the problem is soft on the people and hard on the problem instead of attacking each other, you jointly attack the problem instead of attacking each other, you jointly attack the problem you turn face-to-face confrontation into side-by-side problem-solving you turn face-to-face confrontation into side-by-side problem-solving it is a strategy that revolves around interests instead of positions it is a strategy that revolves around interests instead of positions through identification of each side’s interests—the concerns, needs, fears, desires—that underlie and motivate your positions through identification of each side’s interests—the concerns, needs, fears, desires—that underlie and motivate your positions Your goal is to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement Your goal is to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement

Negotiation Statistics Women typically ask for less when they negotiate – on average, 30% less than men Women typically ask for less when they negotiate – on average, 30% less than men By not negotiating a first salary, you stand to lose more than $500K by the age of 60 – men are 4 times more likely to negotiate a first salary By not negotiating a first salary, you stand to lose more than $500K by the age of 60 – men are 4 times more likely to negotiate a first salary

Things to Consider BEFORE the Offer How much do you perceive your value to be? How much do you perceive your value to be? What is your “uniqueness” and how could you describe this to a potential employer? What is your “uniqueness” and how could you describe this to a potential employer? Determine what’s important to you and what you need in order to accept a position. Don’t negotiate just to negotiate. Determine what’s important to you and what you need in order to accept a position. Don’t negotiate just to negotiate.

Take Into Account The level of the position The level of the position The geographic location The geographic location The type of institution The type of institution Number of years you have been in the field Number of years you have been in the field How much the institution wants you for the position How much the institution wants you for the position Can you negotiate now for after you have accomplished specific things in the position? Can you negotiate now for after you have accomplished specific things in the position? When you meet certain goals or benchmarks When you meet certain goals or benchmarks Performance Reviews Performance Reviews

What is negotiable? Or better Yet…What isn’t negotiable? Salary Salary Bonus Bonus Title & Advancement Title & Advancement Faculty status Faculty status Length of contract Length of contract Meals Meals Housing Housing Moving expenses Moving expenses Telecommuting Telecommuting Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Life insurance Retirement Disability insurance Long term care ins. Liability insurance Educational package Low or no interest loans Vacation & Sick Leave

What is Negotiable? Start Date Start Date Supervision Supervision Budget control Budget control Communications Communications cell phone cell phone PDA PDA Computer Computer other office equipment other office equipment Reimbursements for related business expenses Reimbursements for related business expenses Housing or housing allowance In your professional environment In your personal environment Transportation Parking permit Bus pass

What is Negotiable? Professional development Professional development Professional association memberships Professional association memberships Professional Conferences (NASPA, ACPA, etc) Professional Conferences (NASPA, ACPA, etc) Memberships in other local, state, or national organizations or clubs Memberships in other local, state, or national organizations or clubs Travel Travel Consulting leave Consulting leave Spouse/partner accommodations Employment Benefits Living arrangements

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. Know the campus and its culture – do your homework Know the campus and its culture – do your homework Know what you want and what the “deal breakers” are for you Know what you want and what the “deal breakers” are for you Be reasonable, don’t ask for too much Be reasonable, don’t ask for too much LISTEN to the tone in people’s voices LISTEN to the tone in people’s voices Learn how to survive background searches and the discovery process Learn how to survive background searches and the discovery process Seek “win-win” resolution Seek “win-win” resolution Don’t be a “pain”! Don’t be a “pain”!

Closing Thoughts… Negotiate NOW, not later Negotiate NOW, not later Make sure that there is a clear verbal understanding of what has been agreed upon Make sure that there is a clear verbal understanding of what has been agreed upon Have everything in writing before you sign a contract Have everything in writing before you sign a contract Follow up in writing referring the verbal/written agreement Follow up in writing referring the verbal/written agreement Conclude with nice and sincere thank you notes Conclude with nice and sincere thank you notes Celebrate your new job! Celebrate your new job!

Salary Information CUPA Annual Salary Surveys CUPA Annual Salary Surveys Online Salary Tutorial Online Salary Tutorial Salary Calculator Salary Calculator homestore homestore homestore homestore JobSmart Salary Info JobSmart Salary Info Salary surveys conducted by other associations or organizations Salary surveys conducted by other associations or organizations Chronicle of Higher Education, NASPA & ACPA Chronicle of Higher Education, NASPA & ACPA Information interviewing Information interviewing

Resources In Search of Community Workbook: Job Search Strategies for New Professionals. In Search of Community Workbook: Job Search Strategies for New Professionals. Helton, P. Negotiation Tips. Helton, P. Negotiation Tips. Ury, William. Getting Past No: Negotiating Your Way from Confrontation to Cooperation. NY: Bantam Books, Ury, William. Getting Past No: Negotiating Your Way from Confrontation to Cooperation. NY: Bantam Books, Women Don’t Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, NWSA Women Don’t Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, NWSA 2004.