1. Strategies for Finding a Job

2. A job search is like a full-time job. It…
requires planning and organization.
is time-consuming.
requires that you assess each potential position for compatibility with your skills and interests.
involves a lot of paperwork to maintain records about position descriptions, materials required for applications, interview preparation, etc.
requires punctuality to meet deadlines.
requires that you take the initiative to accomplish your goals

3. Know what you want.
Write down your hopes for the future of your career.
Write a short document listing your marketable skills (including general skills that are not specifically statistics-oriented, such as ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing).
Do a short autobiography to clarify to yourself what type of job you are looking for.
Do you have geographical constraints? Wishes?
Know the range of starting salaries in your field. Look in Amstat News, and check with the university career center.

4. Find out what jobs are out there.
Look for sources of information about potential jobs. I.e., ASA web site, postings of positions on department bulletin board, discussion with faculty members, Google or other search engines.
Visit the university career center or placement office. They can help you to connect with potential employers, set up interviews, etc. They will also probably be able to critique your resume and cover letter.
Create a list of postings of open positions. Include description of position, description of application materials, application deadlines, contact information. Compare the position description to your career goals and list of marketable skills.
Set up a job search corner in your home, with all of your search materials, organized to be easily accessible. Until you complete your search, this corner should be left in place and used only for the search.

5. You will need references.
Make a list of 3 to 4 people who are familiar with your skills and whom you may expect to write positive reference letters. Do not ask family members or neighbors for reference letters. Such letters would be considered weak by a potential employer.
Ask each one, preferably face-to-face, but in writing if necessary, whether he/she would be willing to write a letter of reference. Describe to each person the type of job you are seeking.
You will need to provide each of them with a list of positions for which you have applied, and with your resume. Include in your list ONLY those positions for which you have applied; the person writing the reference letter will probably be paying for postage.
In all correspondence with your references, be sure to thank them for their time and effort. Keep them up to date about the progress of your job search.

6. For each position, make a file, including...
position posting
copies of your application materials (i.e., cover letter, resume, other materials requested in posting).
timeline page, listing deadlines, which materials you have sent (and when).
responses from potential employer.

7. Cover letter should…
be a single page, typed using standard formal business format.
be tailored to the specific employer and position.
briefly state your interest in the position and your qualifications.
refer to application materials enclosed, and materials not enclosed, such as letters of reference.
thank the contact person for his/her time and consideration.
be grammatically perfect, using complete sentences.
have a faculty member or someone at the career center critique your cover letter.

8. Resume´ Be concise. Use phrases, rather than sentences.
Present only your strengths, not weaknesses.
Use active voice, not passive. The employer wants to hire someone who will have initiative.
You should include contact information.
Describe briefly your professional objectives.
Describe your educational experience, with most recent presented first. Most recent is most relevant.
Describe your work experience, with most recent presented first. Most recent is most relevant.
Include a list of references at the end of your resume´.
Have someone at the university career center critique your resume´.

9. Be reachable.
Make it easy for a potential employer to contact you. Have a friendly, non-joking greeting on your answering machine.
Check messages and daily, and be prompt at responding to contacts from potential employers.

10. Interview preparation
Learn as much as you can about the potential employer before any interview. Go to the employer’s web site, to the university career center, or the library and search for information about the employer.
Review the list of skills in the job posting.
During any interview, the employer will ask you questions, and at some point will give you time to ask questions. Before the interview, prepare a list of questions that you would like to ask, and prepare answers to potential questions that an employer may be expected to ask.

11. Questions asked by employer
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Why are you interested in this position?
What are your strength and weaknesses?
What have you learned from your mistakes?
Do you have experience working in teams?
What are your career goals?
What would you consider to be an ideal job?
What special skills do you have?
How could you make this employer more successful?
Why should we hire you?

12. Questions you may ask
How does this position support the mission of the employer?
How did this job opening occur?
What might be a typical first project in this position?
What is the anticipated career path for the person hired into this position?
Does this position offer me the opportunity to grow professionally?
How frequently are job evaluations and salary reviews done?
Where is the home base for this position?
What is the next step in the hiring process after this interview?

13. Screening Interviews
Screening interviews are brief (about 30 minutes), and may be conducted at the university career center, at the Joint Statistical Meetings (or other conferences), or by telephone.
The employer’s purpose for a screening interview is to select a subset of those interviewed to do on-site interviews.
Your purpose in the screening interview is to get an on-site interview, if you still think you want the job.

14. On-site interviews
On-site interviews are conducted by employers with finalists from the screening process.
Dress and groom appropriately for the on-site interview. Conservative business attire is generally expected.
Review the questions and answers that you have prepared before going to the interview.
Arrive 15 minutes early for the interview. Bring your resume, a pen, and notepad.
Look the interviewer in the eye, smile, introduce yourself.
Listen to the interviewer. He/she will not want to repeat information already given. Some of the questions you prepared to ask may be answered spontaneously by the interviewer.
Don’t mention salary. The appropriate time to discuss salary is when an offer has been made by the employer.
Focus answers that you give on how you can be of service to the employer.
Thank the interviewer and ask for a business card. If you are still interested in the position, make your interest clear to the interviewer.

15. After the interview
Immediately summarize the interview in your job search notebook. Include date, interviewer’s name and title, and details about the interview.
Send a thank-you letter to the employer, preferably addressed to the interviewer, and mailed on the same day. Be specific in the letter. Confirm your interest and summarize how your qualifications would be useful in the position.

16. Offer
If the employer decides to hire you, they will make an offer, which should include job title, starting salary, benefits, and a starting date. If you will need to relocate, the offer may specify a relocation allowance to be paid by the employer.
If you receive the offer by telephone, thank the caller and ask for written confirmation, as well as for time to consider the offer. Remember, this is your career; if you receive several offers, you want to choose the one that best suits your career needs.
The employer may specify an acceptance deadline. This is the sticky part. If you are waiting for an offer from another employer, you have a serious decision to make. Talk with family, faculty, and career center staff. Don’t let a deadline pass without responding.
If you have received several offers, you should inform each interested employer that you must respond to an offer by a specified. That way, an interested employer may choose to speed up the process of making a competing offer.
Having more than one offer enhances your negotiating position with a prospective employer.

17. Acceptance
Once you have made a decision, immediately call the prospective employer and send a letter stating your acceptance.
If you have received other offers, immediately notify the other employers of your decision so that they may proceed with their hiring process. Thank each of them for their interest.